Herbert William Bowden, Baron Aylestone, (20 January 1905 – 30 April 1994) was a British Labour politician. Born in Cardiff, Wales, Bowden was a councillor on Leicester City Council (1938–45) and president of Leicester Labour Party in 1938. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II. Bowden was elected at the 1945 general election for Leicester South, and then for Leicester South West at the 1950 election. He was appointed a whip in 1949 and a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury in 1950. From 1951 onwards, he was Deputy Chief Whip, then Chief Whip throughout Labour's years in opposition. Bowden was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1953 Coronation Honours. When Labour returned to power in 1964, Bowden was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council, having become a Privy Counsellor in 1962. In 1966, he was moved to the new post of Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs, serving until 1967. On 1 September 1967 he succeeded Lord Hill as chairman of the Independent Television Authority. On 20 September 1967, Bowden was created a life peer as Baron Aylestone, of Aylestone in the City of Leicester. He was appointed a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in the 1975 Birthday Honours, and joined the Social Democratic Party in the 1980s. Lord Aylestone died in 1994, aged 89, in Worthing, Sussex. References 1905 births 1994 deaths Politicians from Cardiff Bowden, Herbert Social Democratic Party (UK) life peers Bowden, Herbert British Secretaries of State for Commonwealth Affairs Lord Presidents of the Council Members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom Commanders of the Order of the British Empire Members of the Order of the Companions of Honour ITV people Bowden, Herbert Bowden, Herbert Bowden, Herbert Bowden, Herbert Bowden, Herbert Bowden, Herbert Bowden, Herbert UK MPs who were granted peerages Life peers created by Elizabeth II Leaders of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Bowden, Herbert Labour Party (UK) councillors Royal Air Force personnel of World War II People from Aylestone Ministers in the Attlee governments, 1945–1951 Ministers in the Wilson governments, 1964–1970