Norman Clarke (physicist)

Clarke was first Secretary and then Chairman of Manchester University Liberal Association. He sat on the Executive of the Home Counties Liberal Federation. He was Liberal candidate for the Romford division of Essex at the 1950 General Election.^[3] This was not a promising seat for the Liberals who had come third in 1945. In a difficult election for the Liberals he also finished third, losing his deposit. He did not stand for parliament again;

He was a Member of Southend-on-Sea CBC, from 1961 to 1974 (Alderman from 1964 to 1974, Chairman of Watch Committee from 1962 to 1969 and of the Public Protection Committee from 1969 to 1978). He then sat as a member of Southend-on-Sea Borough Council from 1974 to 1993 serving as Mayor from 1975 to 1976, Chairman of the Highways Committee from 1980 to 1984, Council Leader from 1984 to 1987 and 1990–93 and Leader of the Conservative Group from 1984 to 1993. He was vice-chairman of the Essex Police Authority from 1969 to 1985. He was a Member of Essex County Council from 1973 to 1985. He was made an Honorary Freeman of Southend-on-Sea in 1996.^[1]

He was editor and contributor to A Physics Anthology. With S. C. Brown he wrote International Education in Physics. He wrote Why Teach Physics? and The Education of a Physicist. He was a contributor to A Survey of the Teaching of Physics in Universities (Unesco). He wrote Metrication and various papers on education.^[1]