James Branch

James Branch (27 February 1845 – 16 November 1918), was a British boot manufacturer and Liberal politician.[1][2]

For the stream in Missouri, see James Branch (Huzzah Creek tributary). For the stream in Maryland and Delaware, see James Branch (Broad Creek tributary).

James Branch

Branch was born in Bethnal Green in the East End of London, where he established a boot factory.[2] An active member of the Liberal Party, he was president of the Bethnal Green Liberal Association for twenty years. In 1889 he was elected to the first London County Council as a member of the Liberal-backed Progressive Party representing Bethnal Green South West until 1907.[3][2][4][1][5][6][7][8] He was a justice of the peace for the County of London, and well known for his philanthropic work in the East End and as a prominent member of the Congregational Church.[1]

At the 1906 general election Branch successfully contested the parliamentary constituency of Enfield, one of many Liberals who unseated sitting Conservative MPs.[2] He was defeated at the next election in January 1910, following a campaign where his Conservative opponents alleged that he was a Polish Jew and was using a false name. They also falsely claimed that he had discharged his British employees in favour of foreign workers.[9][10] He attempted to regain the seat at the next election in December of the same year, but failed to be elected.[11]

References
  1. "BRANCH, James". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  2. "Biographies Of New Members". The Times. 16 February 1906. p. 3.
  3. "The County Councils - London Polls". The Times. 18 January 1889. p. 9.
  4. "The London County Council Election". The Times. 7 March 1892. p. 7.
  5. "The London County Council Election". The Times. 4 March 1895. p. 7.
  6. "The London County Council Elections". The Times. 4 March 1898. p. 10.
  7. "London County Council Election". The Times. 4 March 1901. p. 7.
  8. "London County Council Election". The Times. 7 March 1904. p. 12.
  9. "Two Middlesex Contests". The Times. 21 January 1910. p. 10.
  10. "Analysis Of The Election Returns. Members Already Returned". The Times. 22 January 1910. p. 8.
  11. "The General Election. Party Prospects.-Iv.*, The Home Counties". The Times. 24 November 1910. p. 9.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Henry Bowles		 Member of Parliament for Enfield
1906 – 1910		 Succeeded by
John Pretyman Newman
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