John Howard

Who was John Howard?

John Melbourne Howard was a British Conservative Party politician.

Howard was educated at Whitgift School, South Croydon. He served in the Royal Navy, 1941–46, in minesweepers during World War II, holding the rank of sub-lieutenant. He worked as a chartered accountant.

In the 1945 general election, Howard stood as a Liberal in Croydon North, coming third. He joined the Conservative Party and became a councillor on the London County Council in 1949. In 1951 he was Conservative candidate in Hammersmith North, without success. He became an alderman of the LCC in 1952 until 1954.

In 1955, Howard was elected Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, defeating Labour high-flyer Tony Crosland. He stood down in 1964.