James Branch (27 February 1845 – 16 November 1918), was a

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies. ** Britishness, the British identity and common culture * British English, ...

boot manufacturer and

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

politician. Branch was born in

Bethnal Green Bethnal Green is an area in the East End of London northeast of Charing Cross. The area emerged from the small settlement which developed around the Green, much of which survives today as Bethnal Green Gardens, beside Cambridge Heath Road. By ...

in the East End of London, where he established a boot factory. 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 London County Council (LCC) was the principal local government body for the County of London throughout its existence from 1889 to 1965, and the first London-wide general municipal authority to be directly elected. It covered the area today kno ...

as a member of the Liberal-backed

Progressive Party Progressive Party may refer to: Active parties * Progressive Party, Brazil * Progressive Party (Chile) * Progressive Party of Working People, Cyprus * Dominica Progressive Party * Progressive Party (Iceland) * Progressive Party (Sardinia), Ita ...

representing Bethnal Green South West until 1907. He was a justice of the peace for the

County of London The County of London was a county of England from 1889 to 1965, corresponding to the area known today as Inner London. It was created as part of the general introduction of elected county government in England, by way of the Local Government A ...

, and well known for his philanthropic work in the East End and as a prominent member of the Congregational Church. At the 1906 general election Branch successfully contested the parliamentary constituency of

Enfield Enfield may refer to: Places Australia * Enfield, New South Wales * Enfield, South Australia ** Electoral district of Enfield, a state electoral district in South Australia, corresponding to the suburb ** Enfield High School (South Australia) ...

, one of many Liberals who unseated sitting Conservative MPs. 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. He attempted to regain the seat at the next election in December of the same year, but failed to be elected.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Branch, James 1845 births 1918 deaths Liberal Party (UK) MPs for English constituencies UK MPs 1906–1910 Members of London County Council Progressive Party (London) politicians English Congregationalists People from Bethnal Green