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 | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]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 | edit source]In 1957, Wainwright was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours.[3]
References
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- Times Guide to the House of Commons, 1966 & 1979