Thomas Dobson (politician)

Thomas William Dobson JP (9 November 1853 – 13 May 1935)[1] was a coal merchant and Liberal Member of Parliament (MP) representing Plymouth from 1906 to 1910.[1][2]

Dobson in 1906

Background

Dobson was born the son of Thomas and Maria Dobson of Hackney.[3] He was educated at Congregational School, Hackney. In 1875 he married Caroline Jane Potterveld of Hackney. He settled in Park Hill Road, Croydon.[4]

Professional career

Dobson was the senior partner in the firm of Godson & Dobson, coal and timber merchants of Croydon.[4]

Political career

Dobson was a member of Croydon School Board from 1879 to 1885. He was a member of Croydon Council from 1885 to 1905. He served as a Justice of the peace in Croydon.[4] He was Liberal candidate for the Plymouth division of Devon at the 1906 General Election. He introduced and carried in Parliament, Willett's Daylight Saving Bill.[3] He did not seek re-election at Plymouth at the following general election in January 1910. He was chosen as Liberal candidate for the 1912 Nottingham East by-election. This was a Conservative seat, however he managed to reduce the Unionist majority at the by-election. He switched back contest the new seat of Plymouth Drake at the 1918 election. However, the Coalition government endorsement went to his Tory opponent and he came second. He then switched to contest Croydon South, his own local constituency, in 1922, not a promising seat and finished in third place. He did not stand for parliament again.[5]

Electoral record
General election 1906: Plymouth[4][6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Dobson 9,021 29.4 +5.4
Liberal Charles Mallet 8,914 29.0 +5.8
Conservative Henry Duke 6,547 21.3 −5.1
Conservative H G Smith 6,234 20.3 −6.1
Majority 2,367 7.7 n/a
Turnout 85.3 +0.5
Registered electors 18,196
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +5.3
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +6.0
1912 Nottingham East by-election[7][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist John Rees 6,482 55.7 −0.9
Liberal Thomas Dobson 5,158 44.3 +0.9
Majority 1,324 11.4 −1.8
Turnout 11,640 83.9 +0.1
Registered electors 13,866
Unionist hold Swing −0.9
General election 1918: Plymouth Drake [5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Arthur Benn 17,188 73.4
Liberal Thomas Dobson 6,225 26.6
Majority 10,963 46.8
Turnout 23,413
Unionist win (new seat)
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.
1922 General Election:Croydon South[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Allan Smith 15,356 47.3 −24.5
Labour H.T. Muggeridge 8,942 27.5 −0.7
Liberal Thomas Dobson 8,183 25.2 n/a
Majority 6,414 19.8 −23.8
Turnout 32,481 66.4 +11.4
Registered electors 48,904
Unionist hold Swing −11.9

References
  1. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "P" (part 2)
  2. (2007, December 01). Dobson, Thomas William, (9 Nov. 1853–13 May 1935), JP Borough of Croydon. WHO'S WHO & WHO WAS WHO. Ed. Retrieved 31 Mar. 2019, from http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540891.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-208647.
  3. The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  4. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, FWS Craig
  5. British Parliamentary Election Results, 1885-1918 FWS Craig
  6. Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
  7. Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885-1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
  8. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949; Political Reference Publications, Glasgow 1949
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