John Edwards (Labour politician) facts for kids

Lewis John Edwards was a British politician and a leader who helped workers. He was born on May 27, 1904, and passed away on November 23, 1959. He was a member of the Labour Party and served in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, which is the main part of the UK Parliament where laws are made. He also became the leader of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, a group that brings European countries together. He was awarded the OBE, which is a special honor in the UK.

Life and Career Highlights

Lewis Edwards was born in Aylesbury. His father worked on the railway. Lewis went to Aylesbury Grammar School for his education. After working in a bank for a while, he thought about becoming a priest and studied at the College of the Resurrection, Mirfield. However, he soon realized that he wanted to do something else with his life.

He then went to Leeds University and earned a degree in Economics. After finishing his studies, he became a teacher at the University of Leeds. He taught economics to adults through a group called the Workers Educational Association.

Getting Involved in Politics

Lewis Edwards became involved in local government when he was elected to the Leeds City Council. Later, he moved to Liverpool and became the secretary for adult education at Liverpool University.

While in Liverpool, he was chosen to be the general secretary of the Post Office Engineering Union. This was a group that helped people who worked on Post Office equipment.

Serving in Parliament

In 1945, Lewis Edwards was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Blackburn. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the UK Parliament.

He worked closely with important government figures. He became a special assistant to Stafford Cripps at the Board of Trade, which dealt with business and trade. In 1947, he became a junior minister at the Ministry of Health.

Helping People with New Laws

One of his proudest achievements was helping to pass the National Assistance Act 1948. This important law got rid of the old "Poor Law," which had been around for a long time and was often very harsh. The new act helped people who needed support.

In 1949, he returned to the Board of Trade as a junior minister, working with Harold Wilson, who was in charge. In the 1950 election, he lost his seat in Blackburn. However, he was soon elected again in a special election for the area of Brighouse and Spenborough.

When Sir Stafford Cripps stepped down as the Chancellor of the Exchequer (the person in charge of the country's money), Lewis Edwards was made the Economic Secretary to the Treasury. He held this important job until the Labour government lost the election in 1951.

Work in Opposition and Europe

When his party was not in power, Lewis Edwards became the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. This group checks how the government spends money.

From 1955, he was part of the British team sent to the Council of Europe. This is an organization that works to promote human rights, democracy, and the rule of law across Europe. In 1957, he was chosen as a vice-president, and in April 1959, he became the President of the Consultative Assembly, which was a big honor.

Family Life

Lewis Edwards married Dorothy May Watson in 1931. They had two daughters. Their daughter Valerie Hope Edwards married John Roper, who was also a Labour MP. Their other daughter, Margaret Elaine Edwards, married Sir Christopher Jenkins, who held a very important legal role in the government.

Photographs of Lewis Edwards were taken by a famous photographer named Walter Stoneman. The original pictures are kept at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Passing Away

In November 1959, Lewis Edwards was in Strasbourg, France, for his work with the Council of Europe. Sadly, he died suddenly from heart disease at the age of 55. Hugh Gaitskell, who was the leader of the Labour Party at the time, said that Lewis Edwards had "notable administrative gifts" and would have had an important job in any future Labour government.