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Thomas Henderson (Liberal politician)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir Thomas Henderson (15 July 1874 – 3 May 1951) was a Scottish Liberal Party politician and businessman.

Background

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He was the son of James Henderson JP of Hawick. He was educated at Hawick and at Blairlodge Academy, Stirlingshire. He married, in 1900, Helen Scott Thyne. They had two sons and one daughter.[1]

Professional career

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He was Director of the firm of Messrs. Innes, Henderson and Co, Ltd., hosiery manufacturers of Hawick.[2] He was President of the South of Scotland Chamber of Commerce.[3]

Political career

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He was a Justice of the peace for Roxburghshire, a member of the Licensing Appeal Court, and of the National Council of the Y.M.C.A., and for several years he was a member of Hawick Town Council.[4] He was National Liberal Party (UK) Member of Parliament for Roxburgh and Selkirk from 1922 to 1923.[5] He was first elected in 1922 as a supporter of deposed Coalition Prime Minister David Lloyd George against another Liberal who was a supporter of H. H. Asquith;

General election 1922: Roxburgh & Selkirk[6] Electorate 32,904
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
National Liberal Sir Thomas Henderson 10,356 51.7
Liberal Sir Alfred Hamilton Grant 9,698 48.3 n/a
Majority 658 3.4
Turnout 20,054 60.9
National Liberal hold Swing n/a

In 1923 following reunion between Lloyd George and Asquith, he sought to retain his seat as the Liberal candidate. However, he was now opposed by a Unionist and was defeated;

General election 1923: Roxburgh & Selkirk[7] Electorate 33,405
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Earl of Dalkeith 11,258 43.1 n/a
Liberal Sir Thomas Henderson 8,046 30.8 n/a
Labour George Dallas 6,811 26.1 n/a
Majority 3,212 12.3 n/a
Turnout 26,115 78.2 +17.3
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing n/a

He was Honorary Sheriff-Substitute for Roxburghshire.[8]

References

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  1. ^ 'HENDERSON, Sir Thomas', Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2007; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012; online edn, Nov 2012 retrieved 26 March 2014
  2. ^ The Times, 17 November 1922
  3. ^ 'HENDERSON, Sir Thomas', Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2007; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012; online edn, Nov 2012 retrieved 26 March 2014
  4. ^ The Times, 17 November 1922
  5. ^ British parliamentary election results 1918-1949, Craig, F.W.S.
  6. ^ The Times, 17 November 1922
  7. ^ The Times, 8 December 1923
  8. ^ 'HENDERSON, Sir Thomas', Who Was Who, A & C Black, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing plc, 1920–2007; online edn, Oxford University Press, Dec 2012; online edn, Nov 2012 retrieved 26 March 2014
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Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Roxburgh and Selkirk
19221923
Succeeded by