Obituary: Adrian Slade, CBE (1936–2025)

We are very sad to report that Adrian Slade, a stalwart member of the Local Party with a huge contribution to the National Party over several decades, passed away on Thursday 24 January, aged 88.

Adrian was elected to the Greater London Authority (GLA) in 1981 as the member for Richmond (in an upset win from the Conservatives, by just 115 votes) and remained on the Authority (as Leader of the SDP–Liberal Alliance) until its abolition by Mrs Thatcher’s Government in 1986.

He was the Liberal Party’s last elected President (1987-88) and part of the negotiating team that saw the Party and SDP merge in 1987 to form the Liberal Democrats. He was Vice-President of the Liberal Democrats from 1988-89, serving with Ian Wrigglesworth, the first President of the Liberal Democrats.

Adrian was a parliamentary candidate himself in the 1960s (joining the party in 1963, under Jo Grimmond) and 70s, contesting Putney in 1966, 1970 and twice in 1974; he stood as the SDP–Liberal Alliance candidate in Wimbledon in 1987, helping beat Labour into second place. Adrian was also Head of Communications for successive Liberal Leaders: Jo Grimond, Jeremy Thorpe and David Steel, helping to write the party’s manifesto in 1966. 

He lived in Mortlake for many years (with his wife Sue, who survives him in the residential home they both eventually moved to in Kingston Hill) and was an indefatigable campaigner, playing a huge role in seeing Jenny Tonge, Susan Kramer and Sarah Olney elected to Parliament.

Adrian also had a great hinterland. Those of us who have ever attended the Glee Club at a Party Conference have Adrian to thank for having started the tradition; he was a leading light and star attraction of the Glee Club and shared his talents as a pianist and singer with his brother, Julian Slade (of Salad Days fame). He was one of the great Ad men when that profession was at its height (founding his own ad agency), including producing some of the great political ads of the time. So much more could be listed. 

His son, Rupert, remembers him as “a father and friend who lived a full life: cabaret performer, adman, politician, Director of Charities, activist Chelsea fan, test cricket enthusiast, photographer, pianist and song writer. He was a passionate man with many passions.”.

His family have held a private funeral service this week, but with a memorial event for Adrian to follow in March or April – we will post an update here when the details of the memorial service are known.

Piers Allen 
Chair, TRLD

7 February 2025

My thanks for input from Nick Carthew, Rupert Slade and Ian Wrigglesworth. 

A tribute to Adrian (and a link to donate to the family’s chosen charity, Dementia UK) is available here