Constituency : Glasgow St Rollox 1906-18
Thomas took Glasgow St Rollox from the Liberal Unionist John Wilson.
Thomas was the son of a shipowner. He was educated at University College, London. He worked on the Encyclopedia Britannica for a few years until his father went blind and he took over the family business. He joined London County Council in 1892 and became leader of the Progressive party in 1897. He stood for Islington East in 1895.He was chairman of the LCC in 1898-9. He stood for Glasgow St Rollox in 1900. He stood against Cathcart Wason in the by-election at Orkney and Shetland when the latter decided to become an independent in 1902.
In 1908, Thomas was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education for a few months until he was switched to Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. In 1911, he became Financial Secretary to the Treasury. In 1912, he joined the Cabinet as Scottish Secretary. In 1916 he became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Financial Secretary to the Treasury again.
Thomas has been accused of being involved in a cover up of the true facts of the Quintinshill railway disaster in 1915.
Thomas wasn't offered a post in Lloyd George's government and by 1918 was seen as firmly in Asquith's camp. He came third in 1918 with a derisory 8.2 % of the vote.
Thomas stood for Hackney Central in 1922 against the Lloyd George Liberal, Arthur Lever and came a respectable second.
He died in 1927 aged 72.
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