Harold Neal facts for kids

Harold Neal (born 3 July 1897 – died 24 August 1972) was an important British politician. He was a member of the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for many years. An MP is someone who represents a specific area, called a constituency, in the UK Parliament.

Harold Neal first became an MP for Clay Cross in 1944. Later, after some changes to the constituency areas, he represented Bolsover from 1950 until he retired in 1970. He was also involved in helping miners.

Who Was Harold Neal?

Harold Neal was born in 1897 and lived until 1972. He was a dedicated member of the Labour Party. This political party believes in helping working people and making society fairer for everyone.

Starting in Politics

Harold Neal began his political journey by working with miners. Before becoming an MP, he was the Vice-President of the Derbyshire Miners' Association from 1942 to 1944. This association worked to improve conditions and rights for miners in Derbyshire.

Helping Miners

Miners' associations were very important. They acted like a voice for the workers in the coal mines. They helped make sure miners had fair pay and safe working conditions. Harold Neal's role showed his commitment to supporting working people.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

Harold Neal first became an MP in 1944. He won a special election called a by-election for the Clay Cross area. A by-election happens when an MP leaves their job before the next general election.

Representing Constituencies

From 1944 to 1950, he represented the people of Clay Cross. After 1950, the boundaries of the areas changed. He then became the MP for Bolsover. He continued to represent Bolsover until he retired in 1970. This means he was an MP for a total of 26 years!

A Role in Government

In 1951, Harold Neal took on an important role in the government. He became the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fuel and Power. The Minister of Fuel and Power was in charge of things like coal, gas, and electricity for the country.

What a Parliamentary Secretary Does

As a Parliamentary Secretary, Harold Neal helped the main Minister with their duties. This included working on policies related to energy and power. It was a key role in the government at that time. He worked alongside Philip Noel-Baker, who was the Minister.

His Retirement

Harold Neal retired from Parliament in 1970. After his retirement, Dennis Skinner became the new MP for Bolsover. Harold Neal is remembered for his long service and dedication to the people he represented.