William Whitelaw (Perth MP)

William Whitelaw, 1st Viscount Whitelaw, KT, CH, MC, PC, DL (28 June 1918 – 1 July 1999) was a prominent British Conservative politician. While he held numerous high-ranking positions throughout his career, the designation "(Perth MP)" refers specifically to his unsuccessful attempt to represent the Perth and Kinross constituency in the 1950 general election. He was defeated by the incumbent Labour MP, Alan Ramsay. This defeat was a significant early setback in Whitelaw's political career. He was subsequently elected as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Penrith and The Border in 1955, a seat he held until his retirement in 1983.

Despite failing to win the Perth and Kinross seat, Whitelaw went on to become a key figure in Conservative politics, serving as Home Secretary, Leader of the House of Commons, and ultimately Deputy Prime Minister under Margaret Thatcher. His perceived "one nation conservatism" and conciliatory style often contrasted with Thatcher's more confrontational approach. His later elevation to the House of Lords as Viscount Whitelaw further cemented his legacy as a distinguished statesman. His service in Northern Ireland as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland was also a particularly noteworthy part of his career, as he sought to find a political solution to the Troubles.