She was born in Marylebone, London,[1] the daughter of Sir Maurice Bonham Carter and Liberal politician Violet Asquith.

[2][3] The couple had four children: Laura Grimond was Liberal candidate for the West Aberdeenshire division at the 1970 General Election.

The Liberal victor James Davidson decided not to defend his seat and instead campaigned for Laura Grimond.

However The Times, the Conservative leaning national newspaper made a point of endorsing her by name; through "an invocation of 'the Asquith ideal', which called strenuously for more Liberal MPs and in particular for Mrs Laura Grimond.

"[7] In a difficult election for the Liberal Party nationwide, the Conservatives regained the seat, beating her by over 5,000 votes.