James Carmichael
Encyclopedia
James Carmichael was a Scottish
Labour
politician, the son of George Carmichael, one of the founding members of the Independent Labour Party
.
Carmichael was educated at the Scottish Labour College and worked as a constructional engineer, insurance agent and secretary. For fourteen years, he acted as organising secretary for the Scottish Independent Labour Party
(ILP). He served on Glasgow
Town Council
1939-46.
He was elected for Glasgow Bridgeton at a by-election in 1946
, following the death of James Maxton
, leader of the ILP. He was the ILP candidate, and he narrowly beat the Labour Party
candidate to win the by-election. However this by-election was the ILP's "swan song
"; he and the two other ILP MPs defected to the Labour Party at various times in 1947 and it ceased to be a serious electoral force after this.
Carmichael retired as an MP in 1961. The by-election to replace him was won by Labour, but it was one of the first elections where the Scottish National Party
(SNP) won a significant vote, heralding further advances in the 1960s.
His son was Neil Carmichael, who was also a Glasgow Labour MP for several years, and was later ennobled as Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Labour
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician, the son of George Carmichael, one of the founding members of the Independent Labour Party
Independent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
.
Carmichael was educated at the Scottish Labour College and worked as a constructional engineer, insurance agent and secretary. For fourteen years, he acted as organising secretary for the Scottish Independent Labour Party
Independent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
(ILP). He served on Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
Town Council
Town council
A town council is a democratically elected form of government for small municipalities or civil parishes. A council may serve as both the representative and executive branch....
1939-46.
He was elected for Glasgow Bridgeton at a by-election in 1946
Glasgow Bridgeton by-election, 1946
The Glasgow Bridgeton by-election was held on 29 August 1946, following the death of Independent Labour Party Member of Parliament for Glasgow Bridgeton, James Maxton.The constituency had been held by Maxton since the 1922 UK general election...
, following the death of James Maxton
James Maxton
James Maxton was a Scottish socialist politician, and leader of the Independent Labour Party. A prominent proponent of Home Rule for Scotland, he is remembered as one of the leading figures of the Red Clydeside era.-Early years:...
, leader of the ILP. He was the ILP candidate, and he narrowly beat the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
candidate to win the by-election. However this by-election was the ILP's "swan song
Swan song
"Swan song" is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan is completely silent during its lifetime until the moment just before death, when it sings one beautiful song...
"; he and the two other ILP MPs defected to the Labour Party at various times in 1947 and it ceased to be a serious electoral force after this.
Carmichael retired as an MP in 1961. The by-election to replace him was won by Labour, but it was one of the first elections where the Scottish National Party
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
(SNP) won a significant vote, heralding further advances in the 1960s.
His son was Neil Carmichael, who was also a Glasgow Labour MP for several years, and was later ennobled as Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove.