Walter Kenneth Mansfield

Dr Walter Kenneth Mansfield (20 October 1921 - 2012) was a nuclear physicist and Labour Party politician.

Born in Crouch End, he attended the City of London School. During World War Two he was part of the team developing radar. He graduated with a degree in physics and a PhD in Nuclear Engineering. He obtained a post at Queen Mary University of London.

An active member of the Labour Party, in 1968 he stood for election to Havering Council at Upminster. Labour candidates did poorly, coming third after Ratepayers and Conservatives.

In 1971 and 1974 he stood for election at the Bickley ward of the London Borough of Bromley, both times without success.

At the 1973 Greater London Council election he stood for the Chislehurst electoral division. Although considered a safe Conservative seat, he came within 39 votes of being elected. He did join the GLC as he was chosen to be an alderman, holding the post until the abolition of aldermen in 1977.

At the 1977 Greater London Council elections he stood again at Chislehurst but was more 10,500 votes behind the Conservatives. He tried again at Chislehurst at the final GLC elections in 1981 but was more than 4,000 votes behind the incumbent.

In 1982 he was elected to Bromley Council to represent St Paul's Cray. He held the seat in 1986 and stood down from the council in 1990.