Sir Robert Thomas, 1st Baronet

Sir Robert John Thomas, 1st Baronet (23 April 1873 – 27 September 1951) was a Welsh businessman and Liberal Party politician, who was twice elected to Parliament.

For other people named Robert Thomas, see Robert Thomas (disambiguation).

Sir Robert Thomas

Thomas was a ship and insurance broker.[1] In 1918 he was created a Baronet, of Garreglwyd in the County of Anglesey.[2][3]

Politics

He was elected at the 1918 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the new constituency of Wrexham. Standing as a Liberal, with the official backing of the David Lloyd George led Coalition Government, he faced only a Labour Party opponent and won 76% of the votes.

General election 1918: Wrexham[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Thomas 20,874 76.3 n/a
Labour Hugh Hughes 6,500 23.7 n/a
Majority 14,374 52.6 n/a
Turnout 69.7 n/a
Liberal win

At the 1922 general election he stood as a National Liberal Party candidate for Anglesey, losing by a margin of 9% to the sitting Labour MP Sir Owen Thomas.

1922 General Election: Anglesey[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Owen Thomas 11,929 54.2 +3.8
National Liberal Robert Thomas 10,067 45.8 -3.8
Majority 1,862 8.4 +7.6
Turnout 80.5
Labour hold Swing -3.8

However, Owen Thomas died in January 1923, and at the resulting by-election in April Robert Thomas won a 3-way contest with 53% of the votes, and a 23% majority over the second-placed Labour candidate.[6]

1923 Anglesey by-election[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Thomas 11,116 53.3 +7.5
Labour Edward John 6,368 30.5 -23.7
Unionist Richard Owen Roberts 3,385 16.2 n/a
Majority 22.8
Turnout 76.4
Liberal gain from Labour Swing +15.6

He was returned unopposed at the general election in December 1923. He was returned by a majority of 28% over his Labour opponent at the election in 1924.

General election 1924: Anglesey[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert Thomas 13,407 63.9
Labour Cyril O Jones 7,580 36.1
Majority 5,827 27.8
Turnout 74
Liberal hold Swing

He stood down from Parliament at the 1929 general election.

Arms
Coat of arms of Sir Robert Thomas, 1st Baronet
Crest
On the waves of the sea Proper between two anchors Sable a ship in full sail Proper.
Escutcheon
Per pale Gules and Azure on a chevron Argent between in dexter chief a sower scattering seed and in sinister chief on eagle displayed both Or and in base a garb of the last three fleurs-de-lis Sable.
Motto
Fac Recte Et Nil Time[9]

References
  1. Kidd, Charles; Williamson, David (editors). Debrett's Peerage and Baronetage (1990 edition). New York: St Martin's Press, 1990,
  2. "No. 30876". The London Gazette. 30 August 1918. p. 10173.
  3. Leigh Rayment's list of baronets
  4. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949; Political Reference Publications, Glasgow 1949
  5. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949; Political Reference Publications, Glasgow 1949
  6. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949; Political Reference Publications, Glasgow 1949
  7. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949; Political Reference Publications, Glasgow 1949
  8. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949; Political Reference Publications, Glasgow 1949
  9. Burke's Peerage. 1959.

Further reading
  • Richards, Emlyn. Syr Robert John Thomas, y Garreglwyd (Sir Ifor Williams Memorial lecture.) Given in Anglesey, 31 October 1997


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