Harry Nicholas
Sir Herbert Richard Nicholas OBE (13 March 1905 – 15 April 1997) was a trade unionist and political organiser.
Early life
Born in Bristol, Nicholas worked for the Port of Bristol Authority until 1936, when he took a full-time post in the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU). He moved to London to become National Officer in 1940, and in 1956 rose to become Assistant General Secretary. In the same year, he was elected to the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party, and from 1960 to 1964 he was the party treasurer, appointed in order to maximise trade union donations.[1]
Frank Cousins, General Secretary of the TGWU, served as Minister of Technology from 1964 to 1966, and during this period, Nicholas became Acting General Secretary, also serving on the General Council of the Trades Union Congress. In 1967, he returned to the Labour NEC. He took early retirement from the union in 1968 to become General Secretary of the Labour Party, having been offered the post by Harold Wilson after several other candidates refused the position.[1]
Nicholas was criticised after Labour lost the 1970 general election, and he stood down in 1972.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Jack Jones, "Obituary: Sir Harry Nicholas", The Independent, 21 April 1997
Trade union offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Frank Cousins | Assistant General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union 1956–1968 | Succeeded by Harry Urwin |
Preceded by Frank Cousins | Acting General Secretary of the Transport and General Workers' Union 1964–1966 | Succeeded by Frank Cousins |
Preceded by | Trades Union Congress representative to the AFL-CIO 1967 With: Jack Cooper | Succeeded by Sidney Greene and George Smith |
Party political offices | ||
Preceded by | Treasurer of the Labour Party 1960–1964 | Succeeded by Dai Davies |
Preceded by Len Williams | General Secretary of the Labour Party 1968–1972 | Succeeded by |
- v
- t
- e
- 1922: Ernest Bevin
- 1940: Arthur Deakin
- 1955: Jock Tiffin
- 1955: Frank Cousins
- 1969: Jack Jones
- 1978: Moss Evans
- 1985: Ron Todd
- 1992: Bill Morris
- 2004: Tony Woodley
- 1974: Harry Urwin
- 1980: Alec Kitson
- 1986: Bill Morris
- 1992: Jack Adams
- 1999: Margaret Prosser
- 2002: Tony Woodley
- 2003: Jack Dromey
- 1924: John Cliff
- 1935: Arthur Deakin
- 1940: Harold Clay
- 1948: Jock Tiffin
- 1955: Frank Cousins
- 1956: Harry Nicholas
- 1968: Harry Urwin
- 1974: Vacant
- 1985: Eddie Haigh and Larry Smith
- 1988: Eddie Haigh
- 1991: Vacant
- 1999: Barry Camfield and Jimmy Elsby
- 2000: Barry Camfield and Ray Collins
- 1922: Harry Gosling
- 1930: Herbert Kershaw
- 1934: Harry Edwards
- 1948: Edgar Fryer
- 1960: Len Forden
- 1976: Stan Pemberton
- 1982: Walter Greendale
- 1986: Brian Nicholson
- 1988: Daniel Duffy
- 1996: Andy Smith
- 2002: Peter Landles
- 2004: Jimmy Kelly
- Amalgamated Society of Watermen, Lightermen and Bargemen
- Amalgamated Carters, Lurrymen and Motormen's Union
- Amalgamated Association of Carters and Motormen
- Associated Horsemen's Union
- Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Labourers' Union
- Labour Protection League
- National Amalgamated Labourers' Union
- National Union of Docks, Wharves and Shipping Staffs
- National Union of Ships' Clerks, Grain Weighers and Coalmeters
- National Union of Vehicle Workers
- National Amalgamated Coal Workers' Union
- North of England Trimmers' and Teemers Association
- North of Scotland Horse and Motormen's Association
- United Vehicle Workers