John Cairns (politician)

John Cairns (1859 - 23 May 1923) was Labour MP for Morpeth from the 1918 general election until his death, which led to the 1923 Morpeth by-election.

Born at Choppington in Northumberland, Cairns worked as a coal miner and became active in the Northumberland Miners' Association. He was elected as the full-time financial secretary of the union, also serving as secretary of the Joint Committee in the Northumberland Coal Trade, and President of the Northumberland Aged Mine Workers' Homes Association.[1]

In his spare time, Cairns was active in the Primitive Methodist movement, and wrote books including Money and Economics of Industry.[1]

Cairns was a supporter of the Labour Party, for which he was elected in Morpeth in 1918. He served until his death, in 1923.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Stenton, Michael; Lees, Stephen (1979). Who's Who of British Members of Parliament. Vol. III. Brighton: Harvester Press. p. 54. ISBN 0855273259.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Morpeth
19181923
Succeeded by
Trade union offices
Preceded by
Alfred Smalley and W. E. Harvey
Auditor of the Trades Union Congress
1910
With: Julia Varley
Succeeded by
W. E. Harvey and James E. Tattersall