Morgan Jones (British politician) facts for kids
Morgan Jones (born 3 May 1885 – died 23 April 1939) was a Welsh politician. He was a member of the Labour Party.
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Early Life and Education
Morgan Jones was born in Gelligaer, Wales. His father worked as a coal miner, and his mother was a domestic servant. He went to primary schools in Gelligaer and Hengoed.
Later, he received a scholarship to study at Lewis School, Pengam. He then continued his education at University College, Reading. After finishing his studies, Morgan Jones became a teacher. He was also a Baptist lay preacher, which means he gave sermons in church without being a minister.
First Steps in Politics
Morgan Jones was very interested in helping people and making society fairer. In 1908, he joined the Independent Labour Party. This party worked to improve the lives of working people.
In 1911, he was elected to the Gelligaer Urban District Council. This was a local government group that made decisions for the area. He even became the chairman of this council from 1921 to 1922.
Standing Up During Wartime
During the First World War, Morgan Jones took a brave stand. He was a conscientious objector. This means he believed it was wrong to fight in wars and refused to join the army. Because of his beliefs, he was sent to prison.
He was also an important member of groups that supported others who didn't want to fight. He was on the national committee of the No Conscription Fellowship. He also led the South Wales Anti-Conscription Council. These groups worked against forcing people to join the army.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
After the war, Morgan Jones continued his political work. He was elected to the Glamorgan County Council. This was another important local government role.
In 1921, there was a special election in Caerphilly. Morgan Jones was chosen to be the Member of Parliament (MP) for Caerphilly. He was the first conscientious objector to become an MP after World War I. He held this important job until he passed away in 1939 at the age of 53.
Serving in Government
Morgan Jones played a key role in the Labour governments of his time. He served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education. This meant he helped lead the country's education system. He held this position twice: first in 1924, and again from 1929 to 1931.
Family Life and Legacy
In 1923, Morgan Jones married Gladys Thomas. She was also a teacher and a member of the Independent Labour Party. They had two daughters together.
Today, there is a park named after him in Caerphilly. It is called Morgan Jones Park. This park helps people remember his contributions to the community and to politics.
