James Branch

James Branch (27 February 1845 – 16 November 1918), was a British boot manufacturer and Liberal politician.[1][2]

Branch was born in Bethnal Green in the East End of London, where he established a boot factory.[2] An active member of the Liberal Party, he was president of the Bethnal Green Liberal Association for twenty years. In 1889 he was elected to the first London County Council as a member of the Liberal-backed Progressive Party representing Bethnal Green South West until 1907.[3][2][4][1][5][6][7][8] He was a justice of the peace for the County of London, and well known for his philanthropic work in the East End and as a prominent member of the Congregational Church.[1]

At the 1906 general election Branch successfully contested the parliamentary constituency of Enfield, one of many Liberals who unseated sitting Conservative MPs.[2] He was defeated at the next election in January 1910, following a campaign where his Conservative opponents alleged that he was a Polish Jew and was using a false name. They also falsely claimed that he had discharged his British employees in favour of foreign workers.[9][10] He attempted to regain the seat at the next election in December of the same year, but failed to be elected.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "BRANCH, James". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Biographies Of New Members". The Times. 16 February 1906. p. 3.
  3. ↑ "The County Councils - London Polls". The Times. 18 January 1889. p. 9.
  4. ↑ "The London County Council Election". The Times. 7 March 1892. p. 7.
  5. ↑ "The London County Council Election". The Times. 4 March 1895. p. 7.
  6. ↑ "The London County Council Elections". The Times. 4 March 1898. p. 10.
  7. ↑ "London County Council Election". The Times. 4 March 1901. p. 7.
  8. ↑ "London County Council Election". The Times. 7 March 1904. p. 12.
  9. ↑ "Two Middlesex Contests". The Times. 21 January 1910. p. 10.
  10. ↑ "Analysis Of The Election Returns. Members Already Returned". The Times. 22 January 1910. p. 8.
  11. ↑ "The General Election. Party Prospects.-Iv.*, The Home Counties". The Times. 24 November 1910. p. 9.
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