Hayes - Roof Top Views circa 1930's

Deptford - Gas Workers Union

Gas Workers & General Labourers Union
Deptford - South London


Deptford & Greenwich area worst organised in London and ripe for non union labour

Kentish Mercury
Sunday July 14th July 1907


Pete Curran MP and Will Thorne MP Meeting of local Deptford branch of the Gas Workers & General Labourers Union held a demonstration in Deptford Broadway Thomas Garbek presided and Arthur Hayday of West Ham addressed the meeting




Pete Curran MP for Jarrow spoke after his recent election, he had worked at the Woolwich Arsenal he and others conducted vigorous campaigns in Deptford and Beresford Square they then declared that until Labour rose to the position of being able to send to parliament men from their own ranks and until they paid for their own political representation nothing of a useful character could be done 31 Labour MP's, their union, which now represented in parliament by four of its members they were hoping that the victory of Jarrow would be repeated at every opportunity.

If that were done the day of strikes would come to an end, they would change the venue to the floor of the House of Commons which they might be able to convert from a lounge for the leisured into a workshop on behalf of the impoverished citizens of the United kingdom.

Mr Harry Pickard said that so far as trades unionism was concerned Deptford was the blackest spot in London-the men were too apathetic. trade unionism was only beginning to find out its proper function.


WORST DISTRICTS IN LONDON FOR SCABS

Will Thorne MP for West Ham stated as to the organisation of unskilled labour in that district he expressed the opinion that Deptford and Greenwich were the worst districts in London. as proof he declared that in the event of a dispute those in search of "free labour" went first to those places.

Tolpuddle 1977 - Uxbridge Nat Fed OAP

Dickie Bond leading Uxbridge and Pensioners leader at Tolpuddle 1977

Cunninghame Graham - Bloody Sunday 1887

Robert Bontine Cunninghame-Graham

Bloody Sunday

Born in London on the 24th May 1852 to a prosperous family, he spent much of his childhood in Scotland. Later he made his fortune cattle ranching in Argentina, returning to Britain on the death of his father.

Although a socialist, at the 1886 General Election he stood as a Liberal Party candidate for North-West Lanarkshire.

He stood on a progressive platform which included:

• the abolition of the House of Lords
• universal suffrage
• the nationalisation of land, mines and other industries
• free school meals
• disestablishment of the Church of England
• Scottish Home Rule
• the establishment of an eight-hour-day

Winning the seat he continued his socialist agitation on September 12, 1887 he was suspended from parliament for making a "disrespectful reference" to the House of Lords.

He was the first MP ever to be suspended from the House of Commons for swearing, using the word damn.

He attended the protest demonstration in Trafalgar Square on November 13, 1887 that was savagely broken up by the police. During what became known as Bloody Sunday 300 were arrested and many more injured, Cunninghame- Graham was just one of the many who was badly beaten by the Metropolitan Police and arrested.

The huge march was organised by the Social Democratic Federation and the Irish National League to demand the release from prison of William O'Brien MP, who was imprisoned for inciting a Land League rent strike on Lady Kingston's estate near Mitchelstown, Cork. When William O'Brien MP, was brought to trial on 9th September 1887 for his involvement, a 8,000 strong crowd outside the courthouse was attacked by the the Royal Irish Constabulary, shooting three men dead (John Casey, John Shinnick and Michael Lonergan) and wounding many more, this event was later known as the "Mitchelstown Massacre". An initial coroners report stated that the men had been killed unlawfully but this was soon quashed by the establishment. William Gladstone coined the phrase "Remember Mitchelstown".

On "Bloody Sunday" Alfred Linnell, a radical clerk, was run down by a police horse, trampled and killed. another man W. B. Curner was also killed. At Linnell's funeral on 18th December 1887 became a major political event organised by the socialists. William Morris wrote A Death Song' for the funeral, which was sung by the thousands who attended his funeral at Tower hamlets cemetery.

"We asked them for a life of toilsome earning,
They bade us bide their leisure for our bread;
We craved to speak to tell our woeful learning:
We come back speechless, bearing back our dead.
Not one, not one, nor thousands must they slay,
But one and all if they would dusk the day"

Both Cunninghame-Graham and John Burns were found guilty for their involvement in the demonstration and sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment in Pentonville prison.

Undaunted he continued to support workers fighting to improve conditions, He was suspended from the House of Commons in December, 1888 for protesting about the working conditions of chain makers, he gave valuable support to Annie Besant organising the Match girls as well as the Dock strike of 1889.

He was a friend of Kier Hardie and Eleanor Marx, the daughter of Karl Marx, Eleanor Marx being the first women political speaker on West Drayton common September 1890 in support of the local Gas Workers Union (brickmakers & horticultural) branch.

Cunningham Graham spoke on West Drayton Green, Hillingdon in June 1891

Cunninghame Graham died in 1936 and is buried at Inchmahome Priory on the island of Inchmahome in the Lake of Menteith, Scotland.

Co-operative Stores - West London

Yiewsley & West Drayton Co-operative was formed in September 1893 and covered Hayes, West drayton, Yiewsley, Uxbridge and Harefield and finally merged into the London Co-operative Society in 1930.
Southall
Hayes
Ealing
Fulham ?
Hounslow

Co-operative Tea - Plantations

Co-operative Tea Plantations in the East

English and Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Socities 1923

CEYLON
Mahavilla Group 976 acres
Westhall group 1,931
Bowhill Estate 744
Nagastenne estate 487
Baharundrah estate 567
Kolapatna Estate 642
Gingranoya Estate 352

TOTAL 5,699 ACRES

INDIA
MAGO RANGE GROUP 8,191 Acres
Comprising Mango range, Provident, Attikunna and Glenfruin, Strathearn and Maryland, Trevelyan, Richmond, Harewood and Kintail
MANATODDY GROUP 6,111 Acres
Talapoya, teddington, and Glen Bolten, Cherakara, Jessie, Clifton, tatamala, and Thavenjal
KALPETTA GROUP 4,884 Acres
Comprising Auda Tode and Muracarp, Ripon, Anacarp and palatoor, Kuppa Mudi, Emily, and Nellimunda
ANAMALLAIS GROUP 7,982 Acres
Comprising Murugalli, Sheikal, Mudi, Paralai and Kalianapandal
ASSAM 1,449 Acres
Deckiajulie Estate
TOTAL 28, 617


CEYLON AND INDIA TOTAL 34,316 ACRES OF CO-OPERATIVE TEA PLANTATIONS

Wandsworth Labour Party

The Wandsworth Labour Party was established in 1907 on Wimbledon Common.

The banner here is of Wandsworth Independent Labour Party.

LRC and The Chinese Labour Question

The Chinese Labour Question

This issue of the use of Chinese Labour in South Africa was a major issue for progressives in the early 1900's.

Sir Alfred Milner, Governor of the Cape Colony, South Africa, who along with Cecil Rhodes was one of the main architects in provoking the land grab in Southern Africa which led to the Boer war.




Milner's plan for encouraging British migration to South Africa (to counter the Boer influence) necessitated huge amounts of subsidise to companies and potential migrants. To fund this Milner needed to exploit the numerous gold mines of South Africa.

Given a shortage of cheap native African workers to work in the gold mines, Milner persuaded the British government to sign a treaty with China for the importation of 60,000 indentured Chinese labourers on three year, so called "licences", between 1903 and 1907 .

These indentured Chinese labourers were kept in almost slave conditions and treated brutally, with corporal punishment being handed out at will.

Ironically, Milner started out on the left, in 1885 even standing as the Liberal parliamentary candidate for Harrow. He ended up as Chairman of Rio Tinto Zinic Mining Company and calling himself a "British Race Patriot".

It was around the issue of the Chinese labour question that the early Labour Representation Committee in Ealing mobilised. On 7th May 1904 the Ealing & District Labour Representation Committee Sunday afternoon demonstration against indentured Chinese labour on Ealing Common . William Piggott - Secretary.


NOTES


West Ham and Poplar were the first Councils to fall to Labour in London at the turn of the century and in 1907-1908 at Camberwell and Bethnal Green

The Fulham and Hammersmith Labour Part developed from the South West London Labour Representation Committee, The Secretary and candidate was George Belt a member of the Social Democratic Federation. (circa 1903)

Hammersmith Social Democratic Federation was affiliated to Hammersmith Labour Party (Circa 1903)

By 1914 The British Socialist Party had 55 branches in London with 2,500 members and was the largest socialist organisation in London

Leonard Spencer and the Uxbridge Independant Labour Party

Uxbridge Independent Labour Party (ILP) was established in November 1911, its headquarters were at Rockingham Hall Rec, Uxbridge.

At it's inaugural meeting on 23rd November 1911, the chair was taken by Chair Robert W Hudson. The speaker at this meeting was Dr Charles A Parker who spoke on the private ownership of land.

Robert W Hudson 1 Swimbridge Terrace, of Rockingham Road, was chairman of Uxbridge Independent Labour Party and L.W."Leonard" Spencer its Secretary.

Councillor Henry Palmer of Hayes was also active in supporting Uxbridge ILP

Not everyone was pleased to witness the arrival of the ILP, the local pro "Tory" Uxbridge Gazette was not enthusiastic about this development stating witheringly and mockingly in its editorial that "The ILP housed and directed as an everyday institution of Uxbridge, will soon cease to be a bogey to anyone".

At the December 1911 meeting of Uxbridge ILP, Mr J.T. Wescott Secretary of Hammersmith Independent Labour Party (ILP) spoke on the strike wave and industrial unrest sweeping Britain and noted "How the general unrest which has its local manifestations had led to the Establishment of that branch of the ILP".

The ILP and Labour Party stood a number of candidates for election to the local Uxbridge council during this period including.
James Cochrane (electrician - Oakleigh, Watford Rd)
Thomas Rowley (Insurance Agent -Tachbrook Rd)
Frederick Rolfe ( Working Tanner-Coss Street)
Ernest Cave
W.A Herbert

The ILP acted as the overtly political wing of the Party while the broader Labour Party was spearheaded by the Uxbridge Labour & Trades Council which had been established in 1910.

LEONARD SPENCER - UXBRIDGE ILP SECRETARY

L "Leonard" W. Spencer was born in Guildford 29th July 1889, educated at Collegete School at Reading, He was the son of Mr. T. B. Spencer, of 66, Kidmore Road, Caversham, Reading.

Aged just 17, he left home to open a business in Uxbridge, living later at Belmont Road, Uxbridge. Leonard Spencer went on to helped establish and became the first secretary of the Uxbridge Chamber of Commerce, while also participating in the establishment of a local parliament (debating society).

As an early motor cyclist enthusiast he was reported to be the first person to have ever successfully motorcycle up Snowdon, he also toured Norway and Iceland as a young man.

Spencer had been a keen supporter of Mr Edmund Dene Morel (later Labour MP for Dundee and married to Mary Richardson) agitation over the brutal rule of King Leopold in the Belgium Congo (Now the Democratic republic of Congo).

Spencer became a Christian Socialist believing "that there was no incompatibility but rather the fullest harmony between Christianity and socialism".

He went on to become the founding Secretary of the Uxbridge Independent Labour Party (ILP) and in 1910 he had been elected to Uxbridge Council as a Labour candidate along with Edwin Westcott. While on the council he was involved in the plan to build some of the first Uxbridge Council houses and it was stated that these "were definitely a monument to the energies and the eloquence of Mr Spencer".

When World War 1 broke he considered it his Christain duty to serve and he was one of the first to enlist as a Cyclist Orderly in the (London Cycling Regiment) later 13th Kensington Battalion in order to defend the sovereignty of "little countries overseas".

He wrote home stating "he would not come home for the world until victory was won" and encouraging others to follow him and enlist.

At Ypres, during the Battle of Neuve Chapel during March and April 1915, A battle which represented the first large scale organised attack undertaken by the British army during the war. Spencer's Battalion took major losses, he underwent a terrible ordeal, suffering from hunger, thirst and sleepless nights. He only took off his clothes to wash and slept every night with his motorcycle by his side (probably providing a vital courier service). He served without respite for seven months.

The Regimental History of the Kensington's Regiment describes their experiences during Neuve Chapelle. C Company was involved on the first day, and advanced at 9 a.m. to the village cemetery, where they had to take cover amidst churned-up graves. On the 12th of March, their C.O. (Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis) noted that by 12.25 p.m. the German bombardment of their positions (in the old front line) was "Perfect Hell".

It seems that this "perfect hell" had finally undermined Leonard Spencer's fundamental Christian beliefs, it was stated later that he had rediscovered his beliefs before his untimely death, shot through the head by a German snipper on the 1st September 1915.

Private (and Comrade) L.W. Spencer is buried at Longuenesse St Omer, France.

WEST LONDON ILP

James Gardner MP for Hammersmith North (elected 1923) was eight years Chairman of West London Independent Labour Party (ILP)

Hillingdon Asian Councillors

Councillor Prakash Auchombit

The well respected, Prakash Auchombit was the first elected Labour Asian (black) councillor in the London Borough of Hillingdon in 1990 in the old Botwell ward, Hayes.



The first Asian Conservative Councillor had been elected in 1982 Dr Ali Khan (not for a Hayes a ward), However, Dr Khan failed to serve his four year term as according to Private Eye (9.9.1983) because "Dr Ali Khan had been struck off the medical register in January 1983 for imprproper prescription of drugs to addicts".

Northwood Co-operative Bank

Northwood Co-Operative Bank Ltd

started trading 29th June 1908


Mr J.R.Mace Secretary








(Picture left Enfield Highway Co-opeative)

Women's Co-operative Guild 1883

WOMEN'S CO-OPERATIVE GUILD

In 1883 Alice Acland persuaded the editor of the Co-operative News to let her have a 'Woman's Corner'. In the issue of 14th April 1883 it was announced that 'The Woman's League for the Spread of Co-operation' had formed and all interested should contact Alice Acland. Her co founder was Mary Lawrenson.

At the Edinburgh Congress of the Co-operative Union in June 1883 the Women's League For the Spread of Co-operation was formally established with fifty members and a subscription of 6d a year.

Its aims were to spread a knowledge of co-operation, to keep alive its ideals, and to improve the conditions of women all over the country.




1. To spread a knowledge of the advantages of co-operation
2. To stimulate amongst those who know its advantages a greater interest in the principles of co-operation
3. To keep alive in ourselves, our neighbours, and especially in the rising generation, a more earnest appreciation of the value of Co-operation to ourselves, to our children, and to the nation
4. To improve the conditions of women all over the country.

The first branch of the Women's Co-operative Guild was formed at Hebden Bridge in Yorkshire in September 1883, followed by others in Rochdale and Woolwich before the close of 1883.

The Women's League changed its name in August 1894 to the Women's Co-operative Guild.

Margaret Llewelyn Davies became general secretary in 1889 (MLD right) replacing Mary Lawrenson.

Margaret Llewelyn Davies held the post from 1889 until 1921.


Six years later 1892, the Scottish Women's Co-operation Guild was established and the Irish Women's co-operative Guild in 1906.

By 1910 the Women's Co-operative Guild had 32,000 members.

The National Co-operative Men's Guild was established in 1911.

In 1921 the International Women's Co-operative Guild was established.

By 1933 the Women's Co-operative Guild it had 72,000 members in 1513 branches.

In 1948 the Women's Co-operative Guild still had 62,524 members in 1,774 branches.


WEST LONDON LOCAL NOTE

The Women's Co-operative Guild was strong in West London and the Uxbridge, Southall (circa 1905) and Hayes Women's co-operative Guild were still going strong into the 1980's.

In October 1912 a meeting was held in the School Room, Lawn Road, Uxbridge with Councillor F. Taylor presiding. Mrs Latham advocated the formation of a localWomen's Co-operative Guild, 19 names were handed in at it was agreed to form a branch, The first Women's Co-operative Guild meeting being held on 16th October 1912. I am not sure if this is an Uxbridge branch or a branch named after the local Co-operative Yiewsley & West Drayton which was also reported in the local newspaper

Jack Jones - A Great Man - A Great Life

Jack Jones
Born 29th March 1913
Died 21st April 2009

A Great Man - A Great Life

Trade Unionist, International Brigader and Pensioners' Leader

"They went because their open eyes
could see no other way"

No Pasaran

You are History - You are Legend

Kier Hardie and "Justice" 1909

"Justice" and "The Times."
House of Commons
Debate 05 August 1909







§ Mr. J. CULLINAN (for Mr. J. Dillon)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether his attention had been called to a letter recently published in "The Times" newspaper in which the murder of Sir Curzon Wyllie was defended and political assassination advocated; and why the police seized the newspaper called "Justice" on Sunday, 25th July 1909, and took no action against "The Times" for the publication alluded to above?

§ Mr. H. GLADSTONE

The police seized "Justice" because it contained a letter signed "Wat Tyler," which was a clear incitement to violence, and likely to provoke a disturbance of the peace. Copies of two posters of the same character and issued from the same quarter were also seized. The police acted rightly, and if it is thought otherwise proceedings can be taken against them. I cannot discuss the grounds upon which it is decided that action is to be taken or not to be taken in 1976 such cases; but I may point out, first, that the letter referred to was published in "The Times" with no criminal intent, but with the view of reprobating the seditious matter which it contained; and, secondly, that no copies of that letter, so far as I am aware, were distributed in such a manner as to be likely to incite to crime, or to provoke breaches of the peace, and therefore to call for action on the part of the police.

Mr. T. F. RICHARDS

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that "Justice" excites to crime and violence, while the letter in "The Times ' docs not excite?

§ Mr. GLADSTONE

I have definitely stated that the copies of "Justice" seized by the police contained matter which was a direct incitement to violence and crime.

§ Mr. J. CULLINAN

Are the police to be the sole judges as to whether it is an incitement to violence and crime or are they to be judges of motive, because the right hon. Gentleman has referred to criminal intent?

§ Mr. GLADSTONE

I take full responsibility for the action of the police.

§ Mr. KEIR HARDIE

Were the police authorised by the Home Secretary to make the seizure?

§ Mr. GLADSTONE

The police are always authorised to take action when they see anything done calculated to incite to violence and to a breach of the peace. They have my standing sanction to such action.

§ Mr. REES

May I ask whether the editorial columns of "The Times" did not express the utmost reprobation of the principles expressed in the letter published, and whether on that account it can be suggested that "The Times" in any way favoured this man and his propaganda by publishing the letter?

§ Mr. GLADSTONE

I have already alluded to that in the answer.

NOTE

Justice was the newspaper of the Social Democratic Federation

1945 Local elections - Communist Party

Daily Worker November 3rd 1945

He knocked out Mayor

In Wolverhampton a communist candidate, Mr Kaye Brutton, knocked out the Conservative Mayor in a straight fight, polling 673 to the Tory's 595

Other Communist Councillors ELECTED November 1945

WESTMINISTER (Covent Garden)
Gabriel "Bill" Carritt
Joan Carritt
Joyce Alergant

STEPNEY
Phil Piratin
Rampling
Kirby
Shapiro
Levitas
Wineberg
Carver
Goldberg
Rosen
Sokoloff

FINSBURY (Old street)
Kay Beauchamp

HACKNEY (Ridley)
Blaston

MAIDSTONE
Hobday

SURBITON (Tolworth South)

WOLVERHAPTON
Kaye Brutton
Lewis

PORTSMOUTH
Russell

HEMEL HAMPSTEAD
Weller

ANDOVER
Brown

NEATH
Jarman

MERTHYR
Williams

WEST HAM
Benton

------------------------------------
COMMUNIST PARTY CANDIDATES
NOT ELECTED

Birmingham candidates
Mrs Jessie Eden 2,887
Mr S Blackwell 1,968
Dr M barrow 1,796

William Rust (Editor of Daily Worker missed by 36 votes in Hackney

Finsbury lost second seat by 3 votes

Betty Mathews missed by 40 votes in Luton

B. Moore polled 1,196 votes in Leamington West

St Albans three Communist candidates secured 4,172 votes (more than Communists in sheffield)

Abe Lazarus polled 2,184 in Oxford

Mrs E. Bramley lost 100 votes in Acton

NOTE

Labour made major gains on almost every council
except Bermondsey where it lost 3 seats

Robert Blatchford - Clarion

"Labour is the only hope of Socialism;
but Socialism is the only hope of Labour".

Robert Blatchford Editor of the Clarion

Hold on Russia - Arms from London are Coming

HOLD ON, RUSSIA !
ARMS FROM LONDON ARE COMING !

Guns, tanks, planes made now in London

Room at once for 8,000 more women to work on them

Can take job today

London women would - will if necessary- man London's barricades as Moscow women man theirs.

It is not likely to come to that so long as Russia holds out.

Just because we know Russians battles are not only their own but ours also, we long to help them !

And the chance to do it is here ! here on the very door step of London where the great factories are turning out tanks and planes ! there is room in these factories NOW for 8,000 women.

How about you being one of that number this week.

Wage rates vary but in practice your pay packet is never lower than £2.5.0 and averages around £3. A few women make £5.15.0. Some factories work two shifts, some three. All factories are near bus routes. there are canteens where you can get a good meals. you have a week's paid holiday a year

See Munitions Being Made Exhibition

Wembley Town Hall, Forty Lane
99 Broadway, West Ealing
147 High Road, Wembley
154 High Street, Acton
Western House, Broadway, Ealing
1a the Broadway, Hanwell

Issued by the Ministry of Labour and National Service
advert Circa late 1941

Labour Candidates 1922 and 1923 - West London

Labour Candidates - West London Area

General Election 1922

W.J. Brown - Uxbridge
A. H. Chilton - Ealing
Miss Mary Richardson - Acton
C. Latham - Hendon
G. Latham - Enfield
J.J. Mallow - Watford
J. Clynes (Jnr) Hemel Hempstead
O. Connelian - North Buckinghamshire
S. Stennet South Buckinghamshire


A. H Chilton Labour candidate for Ealing, Lived in Southall, active member of the National Union of Railwaymen, Wesleyian Minister, Labour Middlesex County Councillor. President of Ealing Trades & Labour Council. Candidate for Windsor 1929.

Mr A.H. Chilton was accidentially killed while on duty as station foreman at West Ealing Station (must have been in the early 1930's)

W. J. Brown Labour candidate for Uxbridge General secretary of the Civil Service Association Union, right winger.

Charles Lathan, Labour candidate for Hendon 1922, 1923, and 1924. (changed surname to Lathan to distinguish himself from his brother George Latham) Railway clerk, President of the National Union of Clerks, later Labour leader of the London County Council.
George Latham (older brother of Charles) President of the Railway Clerks Union (TSSA) 1906-1912, Chief Assistant secretary of the Railway Clerks Union 1912-1937. Later Member of Parliament for Sheffield Park.


MARY RICHARDSON - ACTON

Mary Raleigh Richardson (a Canadian by birth circa 1888/89) was a prominent WSPU suffragette, who was in prisoned on a number of occasions. On March 10, 1914 she infamously entered the National Gallery in London and slashed the Rokeby "Venus", in support of votes for Women. For this attack she was sentenced to six months in Holloway Prison. She joined the Labour Party in 1919 and stood for parliament in 1922 in Acton; in 1926 in Bury St Edmunds; in 1931 in Aldershot; and in 1934 in London. She was never elected.

Mary Richardson stood as a Labour Party candidate in Acton in 1922. She did not stand again in 1923 but stood as Independent Labour against the official Labour Party candidate in 1924. Accordinging F.W.S. Craig Election Results Book she 'was the nominee of the Acton Democratic Labour Party which was formed in May 1924 by a number of former Labour Party members who had resigned the previous yuear due to a split in the local Labour Party. The policy of the Democratic Labour Party was left-wing and she received Communist Party support.

Like a small handful of other misguided Labour politicians (including Uxbridge Labour candidate W J Brown) she briefly joined Oswald Mosley's Fascists but left in 1935, after which she took no further part in politics (as did W.J. Brown).

However, When Mary Richardson died in Hastings 7th November 1961 aged 81. The Daily Worker recorded on its front page that "Miss Richardson who was arrested nine times for activities between July 1913 and June1914 in more recent years campaigned for peace and friendship with the Soviet union"
daily worker 8th November 1961

Mary Richardson (prison photo above, right)

NOTE Barry Snell who organised a series of Fabian lecturers in Uxbridge in the early 1920's was elected at Woolwich

1923 General Election
LABOUR CANDIDATES

Robert Small - Uxbridge
Samuel Viant - Willesden West ( Labour Win)
James Patrick Gardner- Hammersmith North (Labour Win)
H.A. Baldwin-Acton
S.Sherman West Ealing
A.H. Chilton Ealing
W. Haywood Brentford & Chiswick
C. S. Cocerill - Spelthorne
William Watson Henderson - Enfield (Labour Win)
Francis Broad - Edmonton (Labour Win)
George Young - South Buckinghamshire
Major A.G. Church DSO - Leyton East (Elected) (ex Spelthorne)


Robert Small
Labour Parliamentary Candiate 1923

Robert Small was selected as Uxbridge Division (including Hayes) Labour Party Parliamentary candidate for the 1923 General election. (other nominations included Dr Sommerville-Hastings and John Beckett of the ILP).

Robert Small was a Scotsman and since the age of twenty had been involved in the Labour Movement.

From 1912 he devoted his energies as a full time worker, becoming the Glasgow and Clyde Workers Union Organiser and Scottish Organiser for the General Federation of Trades Unions. Secretary of Glasgow Labour Party and Scottish Independent Labour Party (ILP) Executive Committee member, member of the ILP's Agricultural Committee, (member 16 years of ILP by 1923). Member of Middlesex Agricultural Concilliation Committee and Middlesex, Hertfordshire & Essex Joint Industrial Council. He was a prominent member of the Agricultral Wages Board.

Later he became the local, London & Southern Counties Workers Union Organiser.It was because of his local negotiations that he had become known, though it was he who had helped lay the foundations for the Labour Party victories on the Clyde at the general Election.

It was stated that he was a personal friend of all the present Glasgow members of Parliament Robert Small had the best wishes of Labour leader Ramasey MacDonald and George Dallas (Dollas) Divisonal Organiser of the Workers Union.

It must have been Robert Small's Workers Union (later TGWU) links at Hayes, as it was stated he "was well known in the consituency" that secured him the nomination as Labour Candiate. He was supported during the election campaign by Miss Saward, Workers Union Women's Organiser and local Workers Union, Hayes Branch Secretary, Labour Councillor Douglas Page.

James Patrick Gardner MP 1883-1937


James Patrick Gardner was born in Belfast, Ireland 5th March 1883, educated by Christian Brothers. where he was a supporter of Joseph Devlin MP Nationalist MP for Belfast Falls and later Fermanagh & South Tyrone)

Gardner was eight years Chairman of West London Independent Labour Party (ILP), seven years active in London & South Eastern Divisional Council of the ILP Chairman of Hammersmith North Labour Party (elected in 1920) and local Labour Councillor 1919-1922 and 1928-1937

National Executive member of the Amalgamated Furnishing Trade Association, he was also an accomplished architectural sculptor .

J.P. Gardner was elected MP for Hammersmith North at his second attempt in 1923-1924 and 1926 - 1931

James Patrick Gardner MP 1883-1937 (Hammersmith North) 74c Stanlake Road, london W12

Died 1937

Samuel Philip Viant MP

Sam Viant was born in Plymouth in on 5th January 1882,

His mother was Phoebe Viant a shop grocer, his sister was Phoebe jnr,and brothers Daniel, Albert.

Educated at Devonport higher grade school, Plymouth

As a young man Sam Viant started an apprenticeship as a carpenter, but because of family financial difficulties had to withdraw.

In 1901 Samuel Viant was according to the Census, a carpenter living with his family at 22 Exeter Street, Plymouth. Later in that year he moved to London to work as a carpenter.

On his arrival in London Sam a committed " abstainer" became involved in Dr Clifford's Brotherhood movement meetings in Westbourne Park,

He becomes heavily involved in trade union issues and attended Paddington School for Social Science and undertook a Ruskin College, Oxford correspondence courses.
Sam is elected Vice Chairman of Paddington Trades Council Member and joins the Independent Labour Party (ILP), standing unsuccessfully in 1908 for paddington Council (with the support of his hero Kier Hardie).


Viant as also active in the Co-operative movement during this period.

He moves to Willesden and in 1918 unsuccessfully contests a seat on Willesden Council and the newly created parliamentary seat of Willesden West, at the 1918 General Election.

In 1919, his hard work is rewarded and he is elected to Willesden Council and becomes the pioneering Chairman of the Works Committee, Justice of the Peace (1928-1949).

Finally, Sam Viant is elected as Member of Parliament for Willesden West on 6th December 1923. Accordingly, he became a member of the first Labour Government and the first Labour MP in West Middlesex. (James Patrick Gardner elected at same election for Hammersmith North)

In 1929 Sam Viant as appointed Assistant Post Master General, until the Labour Government fell in 1931 due to the Ramsay MacDonald debacle and Viant lost his parliamentary seat at the subsequent election.

He won back the Seat in 1935 and held it until he retired at the 1959 General Election.

In later life, Sam Viant took to wearing a white and blue striped waistcoat, with buttons each bearing a tiny coloured portrait of Labour leader Kier Hardie.

Sam Viant was a National Executive member (General councilman) of the Carpenters & Joiners Union Executive Committee.
He was Member of Parliament for Willesden until 1959 when Laurence "Larry" Pavitt became Labour MP for Willesden.

In 1960 Sam Viant was elected Mayor of Willesden.

94 Doyle gardens, NW10

Sam Viant died on the 19th May 1964, aged 81

Len Snow former Mayor of Brent recalls " He was a pleasant, quiet man, with a bristly moustache, who persuaded us rather than bludgeoned us with his political views". Francis A Broad MP - Edmonton Born 1874. He left school aged just thirteen, but had beeen working in a grcery shop from the age of ten, after leaving school he worked in a drappers shop, then aged sixteen started work as a scientific instrument maker. Aged 19 he joined the Independent Labour Party and aged 21 was President of his local union branch of the Scientific Instrument Makers Society union, later a National Executive Committee member and President. The union was absorbeded into the Amalgamated Engineering Union (AEU). Member of the London Co-operative Society for twenty years and an executive member of the National Housing Association. He was also a member of the Union of Democratic Control. Leader of the allotment movement in Edmonton

Archibald George Church MP - Leyton East

Born 1886, his father was a compositor and Executive member of The London Society of Compositors Union, his mother was a school teacher. He attended University of London. He taught for five years in East London schools. Lecturer at St George's college, Kingsway. 1914 elelcted President of the National Union of Teachers (NUT). Joined the Royal Flying Corps, recievied the DSO on the Western front in WW1 and won the goodwill of every man of the 238th siege Battery "You were always championing the bottom dog" said a sergent who served under him. First General secretary of the National Union of Scientific Workers Union.

William Watson Henderson MP - Enfield

Born 8th August 1891, second son of Arthur Henderson and elder brother of Arthur Henderson. From 1912-1914 he was editorial secretary of the Daily Citizen, joined the army. Edited the Labour Magazine and the Labour Press Service and was assistant editor of the " Brotherhood Outlook". Press officer for the Labour Party then based at 33 Eccleston Square, London. Member of the National Union of Journaluistst. The death of his brother, Captain David Henderson, killed in the Battle of the Somme, left him the eldest surviving son of the Rt Hon Arthur Henderson MP for Barnard Castle/Clay Cross who was born In Glasgow in 1863 .

Member of Parliamnet for Enfield 1923 to 1924 and from 1929 to 1931

NOTE 1923

Frederick Charles Watkins (24th February 1883 - 31th January 1954) Labour candidate for Mid Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury) first Labour candidate for Mid Buckinghamshire, worked at Railway Clearing House, London. Chair of the Railway Clerks Union (now TSSA) branch and National Executive Committee Member. (Later MP for Hackney Central 1929)

NOTE 1923
Harry Gosling ex Uxbridge Labour candidate elected at Whitechapel and Ben Smith ex Uxbridge Labour Middlesex County Councillor elected MP for Rotherhithe


NOTE RE LABOUR IN ACTON

The first Acton Labour Member of Parliamnet
James Frederick Shillaker (1870-1943)
Member of Parliament for Acton 1929-1931
Acton Labour Councillor 1919-1923
Editor of TP's Weekly for 14 years
NUJ member
born 28th January 1870 in the City of London
died 20th July 1943
Shillaker, James Frederick The son of a policeman, Shillaker claimed that at the age of 16 he had written a leaflet which secured a wage increase for the City of London police. One of the founders of the Fawcett Association., a union of post office sorters established in 1890. In 1892, joined the Islington Labour party and afterwards served on Acton Council. Assistant editor, T.P.’s Weekly, 1903–17. Deputy Regional Director, Northern Region, Ministry of Pensions, 1919–23. Labour MP for Acton, 1929–1931.

211 Powder Mill Lane, Twickenham

Hillingdon Hospital Cleaners - A Proud History

HILLINGDON HOSPITAL CLEANERS - A PROUD HISTORY


One Day strike organised by COHSE and NUPE Domestics at Hillingdon Hospital 23rd May 1985. (100%) (pic below)

The strike was in protest at the hospital's privatisation programme and support with Barking hospital strikers.

Management asked them either to lose their bonus or be privatised. The staff voted overwhelmingly against cutting their bonus.

equally solid amongst white staff from Colham and Asian staff from Southall

In September 1985 at the civic centre, (pic below)the District Health Authority voted to privatise the service was privatised, with the loss of 213 jobs.

Private contractor started February 1st 1986 ICC Hospital services Ltd

Hillingdon was one of the first private contracts after St Helier, Hammersmith to be forced through by the Tories.






Of course this was only a dress rehearsal for the great Hillingdon Hospital cleaners strike ten years later.

A new company took over the contract, Pall Mall cleaning, who decided that it would be better--at least for its directors--if the pay of the domestic staff was reduced from about £3.50 to £2.50 an hour.

Fifty-five mainly Asian women members of UNISON (NUPE & COHSE having merged) decided that, on principle, it was not acceptable to have their pay reduced by about 30 % and went on strike on 1st October 1995 (pic first day of strike).







After an employment tribunal had finally ruled that they should receive maximum compensation and must be reinstated.

The now famous Hillingdon Hospital strike lasted five years and Malkiat Bilku (who lived in Hayes) the NUPE/UNISON Steward walked back into work on October 30th 2000 with Alan Keen MP, to the first day back at work.

Hillingdon Hospital Cleaners strike 1st October 1995 to 29th October 2000

Hospital cleaners were forced to strike against OCS contractors at Addenbrookes hospital (Cambridge), six months at Scarsdale Hospital, Chesterfield and three months at Hammersmith against Mediclean.