Emrys Hughes facts for kids

Emrys Hughes was a Welsh politician and writer.

Emrys Daniel Hughes (born July 10, 1894 – died October 18, 1969) was an important Welsh politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. Emrys was also a journalist and author. He served as a MP for South Ayrshire in Scotland. This was from 1946 until he died in 1969. He wrote many books, including a life story of his father-in-law, Keir Hardie.

Emrys Hughes's Life and Work

Early Life and Beliefs

Emrys Hughes was born in Tonypandy, Wales. His father, Reverend J. R. Hughes, was a minister. Emrys went to school in Abercynon and Mountain Ash. He also studied at City of Leeds Training College. While working as a teacher and journalist, he became a strong supporter of the Labour Party. He especially admired Keir Hardie, who was a Labour MP.

Like Keir Hardie, Emrys Hughes believed in pacifism. This means he was against war and violence. He did not support the First World War. Because of his beliefs, he was put in prison as a conscientious objector. A conscientious objector is someone who refuses to fight in a war because of their moral or religious beliefs.

In 1923, Emrys tried to become an MP for Bosworth, Leicestershire. However, he did not win that election.

Working as a Journalist

From 1924 to 1948, Emrys Hughes was the editor of a Scottish socialist newspaper called Forward. In the late 1930s, Forward was one of the few newspapers that spoke out against the Moscow Trials. These were unfair trials held in the Soviet Union.

During World War II, Emrys continued to write for Forward. He wrote most of the articles himself. His pacifist views were clearly shown in the newspaper during this time.

Family and Local Politics

Emrys Hughes with his first wife, Nan Hardie.

In 1924, Emrys married Nan Hardie (1885–1947). Nan was the daughter of Keir Hardie. Emrys and Nan shared the same political ideas. They both worked as Labour councillors in Cumnock, South Ayrshire. They worked together to improve housing and clear poor living areas. Both of them also served as the leader of the local council (called a provost).

After Nan passed away, Emrys married Martha Cleland in 1949. Martha's father was a schoolmaster from Glasgow.

Becoming an MP

Emrys Hughes was first elected to Parliament in 1946. He won a special election for South Ayrshire. This election happened because the previous MP, Alexander Sloan, had died.

Emrys was re-elected many times. He won elections in 1950, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, and 1966. He was known as a "left-winger" and a pacifist. This meant he often disagreed with the leaders of his own Labour Party.

He was even suspended from the party twice. Once was in 1954-1955 for disagreeing about Germany's military. The other time was in 1961-1963 for his views on nuclear weapons. However, the people in his local area always supported him.

In 1952, Emrys caused a stir when he asked for less money to be given to the British Royal Family. He said he was a republican, meaning he believed the UK should not have a monarch.

Emrys Hughes was always welcoming to new MPs from other Welsh and Scottish parties. He supported Gwynfor Evans from Plaid Cymru when he won an election in 1966. Emrys supported Gwynfor's right to speak Welsh in Parliament. He also welcomed Winifred Ewing from the SNP when she won an election in 1967.

Emrys Hughes passed away on October 18, 1969, while he was still an MP. His important papers are now kept at the National Library of Scotland.

Selected Works

Emrys Hughes wrote several books, including:

• Winston Churchill. British Bulldog: His Career in War and Peace, 1955. (first published in 1950)
• Keir Hardie, Allen & Unwin, 1956.
• Emrys Hughes, M.P. on POLARIS and the ARMS RACE, Housmans, 1961.
• Harold Macmillan : Portrait of a Politician, Allen & Unwin, 1962.
• Sir Alec Douglas-Home. Modern Conservative, Housmans, 1964.
• Sydney Silverman – Rebel in Parliament, C Skilton, 1969.

See also

• List of peace activists