William Kelly (Labour politician)

William Thomas Kelly (21 June 1874 – 13 March 1944) was a British Labour politician.

Kelly at the Labour Party conference in 1921

Kelly was active in the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, serving on its Executive Council from 1903 until 1913, and as chair of its Manchester branch.[1] He then found work as a London organiser for the Workers' Union, where his skill at arbitration was recognised. In 1916, the union established an Arbitration Department, headed by Kelly.[2]

Kelly was a supporter of the Labour Party, for which he stood unsuccessfully in Yeovil in 1918, 1922, and twice in 1923. In 1924, he instead contested Rochdale in 1924, for which he was elected, serving until 1931, when he was defeated. He was appointed as an alderman on London County Council in 1934, but this did not stop him from winning the Rochdale seat again in 1935. He resigned in July 1940, but remained on the London County Council until his death, in 1944.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Stenton, Michael; Lees, Stephen (1979). Who's Who of British Members of Parliament. Vol. III. Brighton: Harvester Press. pp. 194–195. ISBN 0855273259.
  2. ^ Hyman, Richard (1971). The Workers' Union. Oxford: Clarendon Press. pp. 89–90.
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rochdale
1924–1931
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Rochdale
1935–1940
Succeeded by
Trade union offices
Preceded by Group 3 representative on the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers
1903–1913
Succeeded by