J. M. McLachlan

John McKean McLachlan (27 August 1873[1] – 29 December 1930)[2] was a British socialist politician.

McLachlan in 1909

McLachlan was elected to Levenshulme District Council in the early-1900s.[3] He first became prominent as a left-wing member of the Independent Labour Party (ILP); at its 1906 conference, he was the lead opponent of a motion against military service, holding that such training would assist with building a citizen's army.[4]

During 1908, McLachlan supported Victor Grayson's independent "Right to Work" candidates for Manchester City Council, and also campaigned for Dan Irving of the Social Democratic Federation (SDF) at the 1908 Manchester North West by-election.[5] McLachlan himself stood in Ardwick for the city council in Ardwick in 1909, and was elected. Despite this, it was a surprise when he was adopted as the official Labour Party candidate for Manchester South West at the January 1910 general election.[5] He took only 16.6% of the vote, and was not elected.

McLachlan was elected to the National Administrative Council (NAC) of the ILP in 1909, along with other left-wingers, including Leonard Hall and Russell Smart.[6] Concerned about the direction of the Labour Party under Ramsay MacDonald and the ILP's role in this, McLachlan compiled a document entitled Let us reform the Labour Party, but generally known as the Green Manifesto, with contributions from co-thinkers including Hall, C. T. Douthwaite and J. H. Belcher.[7][8]

In 1911, the SDF formed the new British Socialist Party, hoping that dissidents on the left of the ILP would join. Although Douthwaite left to join the new party, McLachlan opted to remain in the ILP and work with G. H. Stuart on the NAC. They formed part of a broader left including George Lansbury and Keir Hardie, but the resignations of Lansbury and Hardie from the council in 1912 left them isolated.[9]

By 1919, McLachlan was suffering with poor health, and resigned his seat on the council; R. C. Wallhead won the election to succeed him.[10] His health did not improve, and he underwent a major operation in 1924, and it was noted in the Manchester Guardian that he received a blood transfusion during it.[11]

References
  1. England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
  2. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966, 1973-1995
  3. "Election prospects: Manchester candidates", Manchester Guardian, 6 October 1909
  4. Matthew Johnson, Militarism and the British Left, 1902-1914
  5. Duncan Tanner, Political Change and the Labour Party 1900-1918 p.146
  6. Duncan Tanner, Political Change and the Labour Party 1900-1918 p.59
  7. Duncan Tanner, Political Change and the Labour Party 1900-1918 p.51
  8. David Howell, Dictionary of Labour Biography, vol.XII, pp.72-76
  9. Duncan Tanner, Political Change and the Labour Party 1900-1918 p.72
  10. "Ardwick election: another Labour success", Manchester Guardian, 25 November 1919
  11. "City constable and ex-city councillor: a transfusion of blood", Manchester Guardian, 1 May 1924
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