Sunday, 14 October 2018
2058 John Harris
Constituency : Hackney North 1923-4
John took Hackney North from the Tories in a straight fight.
John was a plumber's son.He was educated at King Alfred's School, Wantage. He worked in a clothes shop in London then intended to be a Protestant missionary in Central Africa. Shocked by what he saw in the Congo, he became an ardent campaigner against colonial exploitation. producing many tracts for the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society. He was also active in the League of Nations Union. He was a Baptist.He stood for the Asquithians against Thomas McNamara at Camberwell North in 1922 but came third.
John was active during his brief parliamentary career, raising many imperial issues.
In 1924 John was defeated when Labour stood a candidate. He stood again in 1929 but came third in a tight contest. He stood for Westbury in 1931 where he came second to the Tory.
John was knighted in 1933 probably at the instigation of his friend John Simon. He continued speaking out against oppression but his vision of benevolent colonialism was becoming outdated.
He died from a stroke in 1940 aged 65.
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