Harmondsworth Labour Party 1927

HARMONDSWORTH LABOUR PARTY
ESTABLISHED 1927

Harmondsworth branch of the Labour Party was established in 1927 as part of the Spelthorne Divisional Labour Party with Mr L.M. Benen-Stock as Secretary

Benen- Stock stated that he "Felt sure that the new party (Harmondsworth) would soon rank as one of the finest in the Spethorne Division".

Mr John Guild was Spelthorne Labour Party Divisional Chairman and Mr Lovett was Divisional Secretary.

At the Spelthorne Labour Party AGM in 1929 it was stated that it was the view of many local Labour councillor's that "a great obstacle in the area ti the election of labour members was the fact that such councils held their meetings during the day time, therefore, debarring the ordinary worker from attending".

1977: L.M. Benen-Stock OBE, BSc made Honorary Freeman of the Borough of Spelthorne. A road in Staines is called Benen Stock.

Prominent Labour Councillor Keith Dobson of Candover Close, Harmondsworth lived and is buried in the village.

Hillingdon Trades Union Council banner

Hillingdon Trades Union Council banner on the health workers march in Uxbridge (from Hillingdon hospital to Uxbridge) 1982 (possibly 22nd September 1982) organsied by Keith Dobson.

banners on this march included Hillingdon Trades Union Council, NUPE, CSP,NALGO and Uxbridge Labour Party.

Keith Dobson

Keith was simply one of the best community and Labour Party Councillors in Hayes.

His commitment, mischievous mind, happy nature and passion for a better world made him very popular with all who meet him.

A committed family man (his wife Sue and daughters Sarah and Clare), a keen horticulturalist, allotment owner, and pipe smoker, (and he liked a good pint of beer).

He had worked for Hillingdon Law Centre (Hayes) during the GLC days, but later worked as Housing Officer in Ealing. Having been a member of TGWU and NALGO.

A Labour party member for 35 years (having resigned on "numerous occasions" as John McDonnell MP pointed out).

He threw himself into everything think he did for the community, being an active Ward Councillor for the London Borough of Hillinhgdon and a school governor, Keith was rightly proud that he organised a march from Hillingdon hospital in support of the health workers in 1982. Keith an opponent of the hated Poll Tax even attempted to pay his poll tax on a cheque, written on a banana and later in pennies.

Keith along with John McDonnell MP fought against the expansion of Heathrow airport which threatened to destroy his beloved village of Harmondsworth Keith Dobson was elected in 1986 as Councillor for Barnhill Ward and later Heathrow (surving one term along with his daughter Sarah 1990-1994).

He succumbed to illness on 13th September 2001 at Hillingdon hospital aged 62.

The packed funeral in Harmondsworth village church on Thursday 20th September 2001, where John McDonnell MP read the eulogy, simply reflected the high esteem he was held in by his community and by his comrades.

NOTE:
(Top) Election address Barnhill L-R
Keith Dobson, Richard Farrell, Michael Walker

(Right) Keith at the annual Inter Constituency Cricket Match at Brunel Uni Playing fields (Hayes v Uxbridge) Brian Hudson at the wicket