Constituency : Gloucester 1880-81, 1885-95
Thomas captured the second seat at Gloucester from the Tories thanks to a well organised caucus.
Thomas was a local merchant who was four times the city's mayor. In 1873 he edged out the former MP John Powell for the Liberal nomination for a by-election but was defeated by the Tory.
Thomas's election was voided due to bribery in 1881 and a Royal Commission suspended the writ until 1885.
Thomas was opposed to compulsory vaccination.
Thomas was re-elected in 1885 ; his control of the caucus meant he not Charles Monk contested the now single member seat. Monk fought him as a Liberal Unionist in 1892 but Thomas held the seat until 1895 when he stood down.
Thomas was knighted in 1894.
He died in 1897 aged 70.
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