Thomas Frederick Richards (25 March 1863 – 4 October 1942) was a British trade unionist and Labour Party politician.[1] [2]
Born in Wednesbury, in the English Black Country, he was the son of a commercial traveller. Following an elementary education, he started work at the age of eleven. He moved to Leicester, a centre for the manufacture of footwear. In 1893 he began his career as full-time union official, taking up a post with the Leicester Branch of the Boot and Shoe Operatives.[1][2] From 1894–1903 he was a member of Leicester Borough Council.[1]
Richards was chosen by the Labour Representation Committee to contest the Wolverhampton West constituency at the 1906 general election.[3][1] [2] Against expectations he defeated the sitting Conservative member of parliament, Sir Alfred Hickman.[4] The Conservatives put their defeat down to apathy by their supporters, and when the next general election was held in January 1910 made a determined effort to regain the seat.[5] Their candidate, Alfred Bird, was able to unseat Richards.[6] Richards attempted to return to the Commons in December 1910 when he unsuccessfully contested East Northamptonshire.[1]
Richards returned to trade union work and local politics. He was general president of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives from 1910–1929 and a member of the Management Committee of the General Federation of Trades Unions from 1905–1924. He was a member of Leicester City Council 1929–1939.[1]
He died at his home at Birstall, Leicester, aged 79 in October 1942.[2]
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Alfred Hickman |
Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton West 1906-1910 |
Succeeded by Alfred Bird |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Charles Freak |
General President of the National Union of Boot and Shoe Operatives 1910–1929 |
Succeeded by William R. Townley |