The Riddle of Les Coleman MP: The Life and Political Times of the DLP's First Leader

Abstract

This is Les Coleman's story. It began as a family history and narrowed to focus on Coleman, my grandfather. I remember him as a kindly old man, reserved and quiet. Like many I have pondered the reason why he chose to support the nascent Democratic Labor Party in what was neatly described by his friend Hector Crawford as "my riddle with Les Coleman". That, in fact, encapsulates my research question: Why did Coleman follow the DLP group out of the ALP in 1955? The answer comes mostly in the words of those who knew him and participated in the events in question. My researches took me to almost 40 people who knew Coleman and worked with him in parliament and outside.