Archibald James Florence "Archie" Macdonald (2 May 1904 – 20 April 1983) was a Scottish Liberal and later Conservative politician, who also had a career in business.

The family then moved to Australia, where Macdonald received his education at Chatswood Grammar School, near Sydney, New South Wales and the Royal Australian Naval College.

[3] Before the 1945 general election, Macdonald had not been active in politics, but he was persuaded to stand as a Liberal candidate by George Grey, the Member of Parliament for Berwick-upon-Tweed, who had heard him speak at a business meeting.

[citation needed] Also elected for the first time in 1950 was another future Liberal leader Jo Grimond in Orkney & Shetland.

[4] Because of his business background, Macdonald was appointed to speak for the Liberals on economic affairs, a portfolio he looked after diligently during his brief stay in Parliament, and he became strongly associated with the policy of co-ownership in industry.

[citation needed] Macdonald was also involved in the struggle for the ideological soul of the Liberal Party which was taking place at this time.

However, in 1964, after David Steel's promising showing in the seat at the general election, Macdonald suggested he put his name forward again.

In the aftermath of the 1970 general election, he left the Liberals, and joined the Conservative Party, although he never completely felt comfortable in his new political skin.