Interview with Stuart Mole: Commonwealth Oral History Project

Interview with Stuart Mole, conducted 1 February, 2013 (part 1) and 14 February 2014 (part 2) as part of the Commonwealth Oral History Project. The project aims to produce a unique digital research resource on the oral history of the Commonwealth since 1965 through sixty oral history interviews with leading figures in the recent history of the organisation. It will provide an essential research tool for anyone investigating the history of the Commonwealth and will serve to promote interest in and understanding of the organisation. Biography: Mole, Stuart Gordon. Lectr, Chelmsford Coll., 1971–75; Parly Press Officer, Liberal Party, 1975–77; Dir, OUTSET youth and disability charity, 1977–80; Hd, Office of Leader of Liberal Party, 1980–83; political lobbyist and speechwriter, 1983–84; Commonwealth Secretariat: Special Asst to Sec.-Gen., 1984–90; Dir, Sec.-Gen’s Office, 1990–2000. Sen. Res. Associate, Commonwealth Policy Studies Unit, and Sen. Res. Fellow, Inst. of Commonwealth Studies, Univ. of London, 2010–. Mem. (Lib Dem), Chelmsford BC, 1972–87 (Chm., P & R Cttee, 1983–87). Contested: (L) Chelmsford, Feb. and Oct. 1974, 1979, 1983, 1987; (Lib Dem) N Essex and S Suffolk, European Parlt, 1994. Hd, Leader’s Gen. Election Campaign Tour, 1993. Dir and Mem. Editl Bd, The Round Table: Commonwealth Jl of Internat. Affairs, 1994– (Chm., 2011–). Director-General, Royal Commonwealth Society, 2000–09; Pres. Bath and Dist Royal Commonwealth Soc., 2009–. Senior Associate, Sarlsdown Associates, since 2009, Hon. Fellow in Politics, Univ. of Exeter, 2009