A comprehensive, detailed and well-researched biography of long-serving and often controversial British politician Ernest Marples, whose policies had a far-reaching impact on the country, not least – and for which he is now most remembered – his commissioning of Dr Beeching to report on the future of British Railways. I was interested to discover that the much-maligned Beeching never had the actual power to close railway lines, although this is what he is now associated with. Wider issues were not his concern. Much of the book is devoted to Beeching and transport matters in general, and anyone interested in Britain’s railways will certainly enjoy the book. And even those who aren’t will find much to enjoy and learn here. Politics isn’t always the most riveting of subjects but the author has done an excellent job of making this biography accessible and as interesting as it can be. Marples had a hand in many other polices in addition to the railways, such as housing and pensions and was both Postmaster General and Minister of Transport. There is a good selection of photographs and illustrations as well. I found the book balanced and non-judgemental and it pays due tribute to Marples’ many achievements. I felt quite sorry by the end that he is not better remembered for these achievements rather than being always tainted by Beeching’s report. It’s a serious read but a very worthwhile one. Stylistically I have a few quibbles. The author speculates a bit too often – “We may speculate that Ernest’s marriage to Edna had not been a happy one…” May we? Later he mentions a “Miss Campbell” and a “Miss Cox” who both are adorned with quotation marks. Was this not their real names? And rather than state that Marples’ first wife “may only have been sixteen”, why not check and find out? One particular sentence felt inexcusable to me. “He may even have lunched with Macmillan on 21st December. If so, it may be highly significant.” No doubt, but was it not documented? I also didn’t like references and citations being placed throughout the text, rather than separately at the end or as footnotes, as this breaks up the reading too intrusively. However, minor quibbles aside, this is an excellent biography and I very much enjoyed it.

The importance of being Ernest? Well over forty years after his death in 1978, post-war Tory Transport minister, Ernest Marples remains a deeply controversial figure.. Emerging initially as a relatively dynamic, young thrusting politician in the comparatively placid world of 1950s Conservative politics, today there are more than a few clouds over his character namely the apparent conflict of interest between his pro-car transport reforms and personal business interests, his tax exile and his penchant for being whipped while wearing women's clothes.
But these aren't even the most controversial things about him as he is strongly associated with Lord Beeching whose 'reforms' devastated the British railway industry. in the 1960s. David Brandon and Martin Upham's extremely thorough biography covers both the details of Marples' own life while also thoroughly exploring the history of the transport network and providing a context for Marple's controversial decisions.

Everyone interested in railways has heard of Dr Richard Beeching, whose 1963 report, ‘The Reshaping of British Railways’, recommended the closure of a significant proportion of the UK’s rail network. Any discussion of the report can arouse strong emotions: was Beeching a villain who took away the train-set (that nobody used) or a hero who forced British Rail to think about profitability?

The Transport Minister who employed Beeching and set his remit was Ernest Marples. It’s worth emphasising that Beeching did not close any lines or any stations. As he was asked to do, he Identified which railway activities were profitable; which were unprofitable; and what actions would stem BR’s losses. It was the minister who made the decisions: initially Marples and then, after the Labour party won the 1964 general election, Tom Fraser (for 14 months) and Barbara Castle. Astonishingly, there has been no biography of Ernest Marples until now, yet Marples introduced measures that still affect us today, in his role as Transport Minister and his earlier positions as Postmaster General and junior Housing Minister under Harold McMillan:
- The reduction of Britain’s railway network
- Traffic wardens
- The breathalyser
- 70mph speed limit
- Premium Bonds
- Post Office savings accounts
- STD (Subscriber Trunk Dialling) phone calls
- postcodes


Although this portion of this book by Martin Upham and David Brandon draws heavily (and unsurprisingly) upon Terry Gourvish’s and Charles Loft’s earlier work, it has a highly readable and succinct explanation of events. It’s very much a book by two authors with different styles: the first six chapters cover Marples’ life and career prior to his promotion to Transport Minister in 1959. While the material is sound, the style is frustrating: I lost count of how many times we’re given a digressive preview of the future, e.g. early in a discussion of housing 1951-1954, we’re told about Marples’ successor in 1959 and a triumvirate in power during the 1960s before reverting to events of 1951; and in 1958, “While the longed-for Post Office Tower would not be built on his watch, […]”

The next block of ten chapters explains why road and rail transport both required change by the late 1950s; how Beeching addressed these issues; and the consequential impact upon Britain’s transport system. This section is excellent and far from dry. It quotes an MP, “[…] use Dr Beeching’s face cream because it removes lines.” It shows that Beeching’s recommendations were a logical response to the financial situation and based upon evidence, although the methodology for gathering that evidence may have been questionable. As the authors state, Beeching’s proposals continued a series of closures that started many years before his appointment: between 1950 and 1962, over 300 branch lines had already closed and 174,000 railway jobs had gone. “While large numbers of people had a sentimental attachment to the railways, this did not necessarily extend to using them.”

A final chapter covers Marples’ life from his poor relationship with McMillan’s successor, Ted Heath, until his death in 1978.

If you want to understand why our railway system was transformed in the 1960s, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

#ErnestMarples #NetGalley

The book examines the Beeching Report which looked at the railway system and infamous for it cuts but also looks at transport policy around the time and then the Labour Govt took over as well. The book also looks at Marples early career and life after being a MP.