Annie Maxton
Encyclopedia
Annie Maxton was a Scottish
socialist and trade unionist.
Born in Glasgow
, Maxton was convinced to join the Independent Labour Party
(ILP) by her elder brother, James Maxton
. She trained as a teacher and became active in the Educational Institute of Scotland
.
When internal disputes rocked the ILP in Glasgow, Maxton did not get involved. As a result, in 1937, she was elected Chairman of the Scottish Divisional Council of the ILP - an important position, given that all the ILP's Members of Parliament were based in Glasgow.
With her newfound prominence, Maxton stood in several elections for the ILP, including the East Renfrewshire by-election, 1940
. She stood in the important Glasgow Camlachie by-election, 1948
, but took only 6.4% of the votes cast. By this point, the ILP was in sharp decline, no longer retaining any Parliamentary representation. Although many members left to join the Labour Party
, Maxton remained loyal to the ILP, and in 1953 was elected its Chair, a position she held until 1958.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
socialist and trade unionist.
Born in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Maxton was convinced to join the Independent Labour Party
Independent Labour Party
The Independent Labour Party was a socialist political party in Britain established in 1893. The ILP was affiliated to the Labour Party from 1906 to 1932, when it voted to leave...
(ILP) by her elder brother, James Maxton
James Maxton
James Maxton was a Scottish socialist politician, and leader of the Independent Labour Party. A prominent proponent of Home Rule for Scotland, he is remembered as one of the leading figures of the Red Clydeside era.-Early years:...
. She trained as a teacher and became active in the Educational Institute of Scotland
Educational Institute of Scotland
The Educational Institute of Scotland is the oldest teachers' trade union in the world, having been founded in 1847 when dominies became concerned about the effect of changes to the system of education in Scotland on their professional status....
.
When internal disputes rocked the ILP in Glasgow, Maxton did not get involved. As a result, in 1937, she was elected Chairman of the Scottish Divisional Council of the ILP - an important position, given that all the ILP's Members of Parliament were based in Glasgow.
With her newfound prominence, Maxton stood in several elections for the ILP, including the East Renfrewshire by-election, 1940
East Renfrewshire by-election, 1940
The East Renfrewshire by-election, 1940 was a parliamentary by-election held on 9 May 1940 for the British House of Commons constituency of East Renfrewshire in Scotland.- Previous MP :...
. She stood in the important Glasgow Camlachie by-election, 1948
Glasgow Camlachie by-election, 1948
The Glasgow Camlachie by-election was held on 28 January 1948, following the death of Member of Parliament for Glasgow Camlachie Campbell Stephen....
, but took only 6.4% of the votes cast. By this point, the ILP was in sharp decline, no longer retaining any Parliamentary representation. Although many members left to join the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
, Maxton remained loyal to the ILP, and in 1953 was elected its Chair, a position she held until 1958.