Happy 4th July & 128th anniversary of the election of Keir Hardie to West Ham South

Hat tip Keir Hardie Society "Today in 1892 was the start of the election (they went on for weeks then) which saw James Keir Hardie elected as the MP for West Ham South. He campaigned for a shorter working week, better housing and jobs for the unemployed. Sounds familiar! This is a booklet Newham Council produced for the 120th anniversary".

Below is picture from 2012 when Newham TULO organised a walk and tour around Stratford Town Hall where the 1892 general election count took place and where Keir gave his victory speech to the crowd of cheering supporters outside. 

photo Dan Curry

Keir Hardie 120th Election Anniversary as first Labour MP

Next Wednesday 4 July it is not only the anniversary of the only successful British Revolution, it is also the 120th anniversary of the election of the first ever Labour MP Keir Hardie. Who was elected as the MP for West Ham South on this day in 1892.

West Ham is in the London Borough of Newham the home of the 2012 Olympics.

To mark the anniversary, members of the modern day West Ham Labour Party and Newham TULO are organising a free walking commemoration tour around Stratford town centre.

Meet 7pm Wednesday 4 July 2012 outside the Old Town Hall, Broadway, Stratford, E15. Which of course was where the 1892 election count took place and it was from its open balcony overlooking the High Street that the result was read out to cheering crowds and Hardie made his first speech as a Labour Member of Parliament.

The tour will be very informal and will take around 90 minutes following which people will be the opportunity to go for an optional meal at Manus Indian Restaurant in nearby West Ham Lane. Or a beer (or Temperance soft drink) or two may be purchased at the King Eddies or one of the other historic pubs in the area.

PS We are still drawing up the itinerary - if you have any Labour Movement history sites to suggest we visit on route please let me know.

Why the 4th July is special to the Labour Movement

Trying to find a training room at the UNISON Centre recently I came across a historical display on the 3rd floor. In a cabinet there is this flyer celebrating the the election on Monday 4 July 1892 of Keir Hardie for South West Ham as the first Independent Labour MP. 

Click on picture to bring up details.

West Ham Labour Party is planning to mark the event (see post)

I didn't realise that a performance called "A Better Day" about this event had been performed in the local Stratford Theatre Royal to mark the NALGO (one of the unions that joined to form UNISON) Presidency of Rita Donaghy in 1989/90.

When it is finalised on how we will be marking the event I will post further.