Thomas Miller Bell (January 11, 1923 – November 12, 1996) was a Canadian politician, lawyer and barrister. He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada as a Member of the Progressive Conservative Party to represent the riding of St. John—Albert in 1953. He became Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Trade and Commerce in 1957. This position was succeeded by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada for which he served three terms. He became the Chief Opposition Whip in 1968 until 1973 followed by Opposition House Leader of the Progressive Conservatives. He was also a member of the Standing Joint Committee on the Parliamentary Restaurant for two terms. He was defeated in 1974, after serving two terms for Saint John—Lancaster.

Thomas Miller Bell
Member of Parliament
for St. John—Albert
In office
1953–1968
Preceded byDaniel Riley
Succeeded byriding renamed
Member of Parliament
for Saint John—Lancaster
In office
1968–1974
Preceded byfirst member
Succeeded byMike Landers
Personal details
Born(1923-01-11)January 11, 1923
Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
DiedNovember 12, 1996(1996-11-12) (aged 73)
Political partyProgressive Conservative
ResidenceSaint John
Professionbarrister
lawyer

Bell was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. Prior to his federal political experience, he served in the Merchant Navy during World War II. His grandfather, Thomas Bell, also was a Member of Parliament.

Electoral history

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1965 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 21,909 51.4 -0.3
Liberal Arthur Whelly 15,609 36.6 -3.3
New Democratic Eldon Richardson 5,081 11.9 +7.4
Total valid votes 42,599 100.0
1963 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 21,584 51.7 -0.1
Liberal Arthur Whelly 16,669 39.9 +1.4
New Democratic John Simonds 1,869 4.5 -1.6
Social Credit Paul Sherwood 1,606 3.8 +0.1
Total valid votes 41,728 100.0
1962 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 22,586 51.8 -12.1
Liberal George Urquhart 16,790 38.5 +5.6
New Democratic Eldon Richardson 2,641 6.1 +2.8
Social Credit Harvey Lainson 1,608 3.7 +3.7
Total valid votes 43,625 100.0
1958 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 21,983 63.9 +10.3
Liberal George McLeod 13,917 32.9 -13.5
Co-operative Commonwealth Eldon Richardson 1,394 3.3 +3.3
Total valid votes 37,294 100.0
1957 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 21,983 53.6 +4.1
Liberal Daniel Riley 19,047 46.4 -1.7
Total valid votes 41,030 100.0
1953 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 18,881 49.5 +4.8
Liberal Daniel Riley 18,338 48.1 -0.8
Co-operative Commonwealth Raymond McAfee 933 2.4 -4.0
Total valid votes 38,152 100.0
1974 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Mike Landers 12,860 46.1 +3.9
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 11,419 41.0 -12.9
New Democratic Eldon Richardson 3,457 12.4 +9.9
Marxist–Leninist Jay Baxter 118 0.4 +0.4
Total valid votes 27,854 100.0
1972 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 16,350 53.9 +0.9
Liberal William Ryan 12,783 42.2 +1.2
New Democratic Joseph Drummond 788 2.5 -2.6
Social Credit Tom Enright 394 1.3 +1.3
Total valid votes 30,315 100.0
1968 Canadian federal election: Saint John—Rothesay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive Conservative Tom Bell 15,756 53.0 +1.6
Liberal William Ryan 12,160 41.0 +4.4
New Democratic Eldon Richardson 1,508 5.1 -6.8
Independent Mildred Crawford 268 0.9 +0.9
Total valid votes 29,692 100.0

References

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