Tom Johnston (British politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Johnston
CH FRSE
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Johnston
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| Secretary of State for Scotland | |
| In office 8 February 1941 – 23 May 1945 |
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| Prime Minister | Winston Churchill |
| Preceded by | Ernest Brown |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Rosebery |
| Lord Privy Seal | |
| In office 24 March 1931 – 24 August 1931 |
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| Prime Minister | Ramsay MacDonald |
| Preceded by | Vernon Hartshorn |
| Succeeded by | The Earl Peel |
| Member of Parliament for West Stirlingshire |
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| In office 14 November 1935 – 15 June 1945 |
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| Preceded by | James Campbell Ker |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Balfour |
| In office 30 May 1929 – 7 October 1931 |
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| Preceded by | Guy Dalrymple Fanshawe |
| Succeeded by | James Campbell Ker |
| In office 15 November 1922 – 9 October 1924 |
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| Preceded by | Harry Hope |
| Succeeded by | Guy Dalrymple Fanshawe |
| Member of Parliament for Dundee |
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| In office 22 December 1924 – 10 May 1929 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 November 1881 Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| Died | 5 September 1965 (aged 83) Milngavie, Dunbartonshire, Scotland |
| Political party | Labour |
| Spouse | Margaret Freeland |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
| Profession | Clerk, journalist |
Thomas Johnston (2 November 1881 – 5 September 1965) was an important Scottish journalist and politician. He was a member of the Labour Party and served as a MP. He also held government positions, often dealing with Scottish issues. Johnston was also well-known in the Friendly society movement in Scotland, which helped people save money and get support.
Contents
Early Life and Politics
Thomas Johnston was born in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, in 1881. His father, David Johnston, was a grocer. Thomas went to school in Kirkintilloch and then at Lenzie Academy. He studied at the University of Glasgow, where he learned about philosophy and economics.
In 1906, he helped start a left-wing newspaper called Forward. He became part of a group called the 'Red Clydesiders' in Glasgow. This group included other socialists like James Maxton. In 1909, Johnston wrote a book called Our Scots Noble Families. This book aimed to show the problems with the very rich land-owning families.
Becoming an MP
Johnston first became a MP in November 1922. He represented the area of Stirling and Clackmannan West. He lost his seat in 1924 but quickly won another election in Dundee later that year.
He was re-elected for Stirling and Clackmannan Western in 1929. At this time, Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald made him Under-Secretary of State for Scotland. This government didn't last long. Johnston was one of the politicians who disagreed with MacDonald's idea of forming a coalition government. He lost his MP seat again in 1931.
After joining a new group called the Scottish Socialist Party, Johnston returned to the House of Commons in 1935. He stayed an MP until he retired in 1945. Johnston was also a key figure in helping the people of St Kilda move from their island in 1930.
Helping People with Friendly Societies
Thomas Johnston joined the board of the City of Glasgow Friendly Society in 1912. This society, now called Scottish Friendly, was started to help working-class people save money safely.
Supporting Members
In 1919, Johnston became the society's vice-president. He was praised when he became an MP in 1922. During the 1926 British general strike, many coal miners could not pay their savings. The society helped them instead of stopping their policies. Johnston said the society tried to be truly "Friendly."
In 1932, Johnston became the deputy manager of the society. He was highly respected. A brochure from the society's 70th birthday said he was the perfect person to help lead it.
New Ideas for Social Support
Even though he was a busy politician, Johnston spent a lot of time on the society. He had new ideas about life assurance. In 1933, he suggested a plan for "all-in" social insurance. This would cover things like unemployment, health, and pensions. The society helped shape the idea of the Welfare State, which provides support for people.
In 1934, Johnston became the general manager of the society. He worked to improve conditions for the staff. The society was the first in its group to give staff every other Saturday off. Johnston also refused salary increases for himself when he knew there would be cuts for lower-paid staff.
He continued to work for the society even when he became Secretary of State for Scotland in 1941. In 1946, after 34 years, Johnston retired as the society's general manager. He remained a director, helping to manage the society's investments.
Leading Scotland During Wartime
In April 1939, before World War II began, Johnston was made Commissioner for Civil Defence in Scotland. He helped prepare Scotland for air raids and possible invasion. He also organized shelters and relief efforts.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill appointed Johnston as Secretary of State for Scotland in February 1941. He held this important job until May 1945. People remember Johnston as one of the greatest Scottish Secretaries of the century. He was given a lot of power to help Scotland.
Boosting Scotland's Economy
Johnston started many projects to help Scotland. He wanted to stop too many industries from being in England. He brought 700 new businesses and 90,000 new jobs to Scotland. He created the Scottish Council of Industry to help with this.
He also set up 32 committees to solve social and economic problems. These committees looked at everything from youth crime to sheep farming. He controlled rents and set up an early version of a national health service. This used new hospitals built for expected casualties from German bombing.
Johnston was a long-time supporter of Home Rule for Scotland. He convinced Churchill to give more power to Scotland. He created a Scottish Council of State and a Council of Industry to help move some decisions away from London.
Post-War Contributions
After the war, Johnston left politics in 1945 to lead the Hydro Board. He then became chairman of several other Scottish organizations. These included the Scottish Tourist Board and the Scottish National Forestry Commission. He was also chairman of the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board from 1946 to 1959.
He helped represent Scotland in planning the 1951 Festival of Britain. In 1948, he was given the "Freedom of the City of Aberdeen." He was also the Chancellor of Aberdeen University from 1951 until he passed away in 1965.
Bringing Power to the Glens
Johnston's biggest achievement was creating the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board.
Before the 1940s, many rural parts of Scotland did not have electricity. Cities had power stations, but there was no widespread system to bring electricity to everyone. Johnston was inspired by a project in America that brought electricity to rural areas. He worked hard to get everyone, even landowners, to agree to use Scotland's rivers and mountains to make electricity from water power.
After World War II, the Hydro Board's teams built many hydroelectric schemes. These projects were famous for working well in difficult areas and for looking beautiful. They brought huge and lasting economic and social benefits to all people in Scotland, especially those in rural areas.
Personal Life
In 1920, Thomas Johnston published a book called History of the Working Classes in Scotland.
He married Margaret F. Cochrane in 1914, and they were married for over 50 years.
From 1950 to 1952, he was the President of the Scottish History Society.
Thomas Johnston passed away in Milngavie on 5 September 1965.
