Constituency : Wolverhampton East 1908-29
George took over at Wolverhampton East when Henry Fowler became a peer. He won the by-election by 8 votes after strong opposition organised by the suffragettes.
George was born in Scotland but educated at Tettenhall College, Wolverhampton. He became a solicitor and eventually head of a large firm. He became a borough councillor in Wolverhampton and Mayor in 1902-03. He stood for Wolverhampton West in 1895 and South in 1898 where he narrowly failed to win the by-election. He was a Baptist.
George supported Free Trade, Home Rule, female suffrage, the eight hour day for miners and disestablishment of the church.
George held on to his seat more comfortably in the 1910 elections and saw off a National Democratic Party challenger who was given the coupon in 1918.
George became joint chief whip of the Asquithians after the election. He supported Lloyd George's line on peace but otherwise he was an implacable opponent of the government.
George saw off all comers in 1922 when the National Liberals put up a candidate in addition to the Conservatives and Labour. He was unopposed in 1923.
George relinquished the whips role on health grounds after the election. He retained his seat in 1924. He stood down in 1929.
George supported closer links with Labour after 1931. However he devoted most of the rest of his life to the League of Nations Union.
He died in 1934 aged 80.
No comments:
Post a Comment