Edwin Wainwright
Edwin Wainwright (12 August 1908 – 22 January 1998)[1] was a British Labour Party politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Dearne Valley from 1959 to 1983, when the seat was abolished in boundary changes.
Early life[edit]
On 12 August 1908, Wainwright was born in New Scarborough, Wombwell.[2][3] His father, John Wainwright, was a miner at Darfield Main Colliery and served as chairman of the local National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch.[3]
Wainwright was educated at Darfield Council School, before working at Darfield Main as a haulage hand at the age of 14.[3][2]
Mining career[edit]
In 1934, Wainwright was elected to the committee of the Darfield Main NUM branch.[3] He was elected branch delegate in 1939, and branch secretary in 1948.[3] In 1952, he began serving as a member of the NUM national executive.[3] He also served as a committee member to the Darfield Main branch of the Yorkshire Miners' Association during the 1930s, as well as secretary of the mine's Check-Weigh Fund.[4]
Local politics[edit]
In 1939, Wainwright was elected unopposed to Wombwell Urban Council.[4] He served as chairman of the council during 1948,[3] and chairman of the Housing Committee during 1958.[5]
During the 1950s, Wainwright served as a member of the Staincross Division Education Executive, a governor of Wombwell County Secondary School, and West Riding representative on the management of St. Michael's Roman Catholic School in Wombwell.[6] He also served as secretary of the Dearne Valley Division Labour Party.[3]
Parliamentary career[edit]
In August 1959, the Dearne Valley Division Labour Party considered Wainwright one of two possible choices to replace Wilfred Paling as their parliamentary candidate.[7] As a miner and NUM representative, he had the backing of the local colliery workers.[8] He was selected as the candidate on 13 September, defeating Dr. Donald Higgins, who had been secretary of Wath Labour Party since 1937.[9]
In October 1959, Wainwright was elected Member of Parliament for Dearne Valley over David Stewart Willisley Blacker, the Conservative Party candidate. He increased the party's majority to 27,883 votes.[10]
Labour MP[edit]
In 1964, Wainwright served on the committee stage of the first Continental Shelf bill.[2]
From 1966 until 1983, Wainwright served as secretary of the Trade Union Group of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP).[2] He also served as secretary of the Yorkshire Group of the PLP.[2]
Wainwright was a member of Labour Friends of Israel.[11]
Personal life[edit]
In June 1938, Wainwright married Dorothy Metcalfe in Wombwell.[12] They had two sons (Tony and John) and two daughters (Sheila and Susan).[3] Wainwright died on 22 January 1998 in Wombwell.[2]
During the 1930s, Wainwright played for Wombwell Station Road F.C. and served as secretary for the club.[12]
Awards and recognition[edit]
In 1957, Wainwright was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ "Edwin Wainwright". api.parliament.uk. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Dalyell, Tam (3 February 1998). "Obituary: Edwin Wainwright". The Independent. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "N.U.M. Representative Leaves by Air from London Next Monday". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 30 November 1957. p. 1.
- ^ a b "Youngest Councillor". Sheffield Star. 17 July 1939. p. 11.
- ^ "Dig or Pay at Wombwell". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 15 November 1958. p. 33.
- ^ "In Honours List". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 5 January 1957. p. 29.
- ^ "Wentworth Candidate: A Choice of Two". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 5 September 1959. p. 1.
- ^ "Labour's Choice". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 29 August 1959. p. 21.
- ^ "Dearne Valley: Coun. E. Wainwright is chosen". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 19 September 1959. p. 16.
- ^ "Grip Strengthened". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 17 October 1959. p. 26.
- ^ Goldberg, Sidney (1971). Labour Looks at Israel, 1967-1971. Labour Friends of Israel. p. 115.
- ^ a b "Weddings". South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times. 1 July 1938. p. 20.
- Times Guide to the House of Commons, 1966 & 1979