William Whiteley (politician) facts for kids
William Whiteley (born October 3, 1882 – died November 3, 1955) was an important British politician. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for the Labour Party. He represented the area of Blaydon in County Durham, England.
Whiteley started his career as a coal miner in Durham. He was also a "lodge official," which means he held a leadership role in his local miners' group. He was very active in trade unions, which are groups that protect workers' rights. He was also a strong member of the Labour Party.
Early Political Life
William Whiteley first tried to become an MP in the 1918 election. He ran for the Labour Party in Blaydon but did not win that time.
However, he tried again four years later and was successful! He became the MP for Blaydon in 1922. He served in this role for nine years, until 1931.
Election Challenges
In the 1931 election, William Whiteley lost his seat. This happened during a difficult time for the Labour Party. The Prime Minister, Ramsay MacDonald, left the Labour Party to form a new government with other parties. This event caused the Labour Party to lose many seats in the election. Only 52 Labour MPs were elected that year.
Return to Parliament
Even after his defeat, Whiteley did not give up. He was re-elected in the 1935 general election. He then continued to represent Blaydon for the next twenty years.
He served as an MP until he passed away in 1955 at the age of 74. After his death, a special election was held in Blaydon. Another Labour politician, Robert Woof, won the seat and continued Whiteley's work.
Important Roles
William Whiteley held several important positions during his career. From 1927 to 1955, he was the President of the Durham Miners' Homes for the Aged. This organization helped provide homes for older miners.
After 1943, he became a Privy Councillor. This is a special honor given to people who have served the country well. He also served as the Labour Chief Whip in the House of Commons for thirteen years. The Chief Whip is a very important role. They make sure that members of their party vote together on important issues.
During the government led by Clement Attlee from 1945 to 1951, Whiteley had another key job. He was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury. This role is like a senior assistant to the person in charge of the country's money.
