Following the death of James Allason on 16 June 2011, Short was the oldest living former member of the British House of Commons.

[3] After leaving the army he returned to teaching, becoming Newcastle branch secretary of the National Union of Teachers and in 1947, head of Princess Louise Boys' School, Blyth.

He subsequently served as Education Secretary from 1968 to 1970, and became Labour's deputy leader on 25 April 1972 after Roy Jenkins resigned over differences on European policy.

His main rival for the job was the left-winger Michael Foot who was viewed by many on the centre and right of the party as a divisive figure.

Short's new seniority was reflected in 1974 as his appointment as Lord President of the Council – though not Deputy Prime Minister.

He was made a life peer as Baron Glenamara, of Glenridding in the County of Cumbria on 28 January 1977,[8] a few months after he had left the Commons.

As a life peer he was a member of the House of Lords, although a few years before his death he ceased to attend regularly.

[4] He was made a Freeman of the City of Newcastle in 2001 "in recognition of his eminent and outstanding public service" and served as Chancellor of the University of Northumbria, a post he retired from in 2005.