Thomas Megahy
Encyclopedia
Thomas Megahy MBE
(16 July 1929 - 5 October 2008) was British teacher and politician, who served as a Member of the European Parliament
for the constituency of Yorkshire South West
between 1979 and 1999. He was a prominent member of the Labour Party
.
, Scotland
, and became active in politics in his youth. He got a job on the railways after leaving school at 14, and did his National Service
in the Royal Navy
. In 1953 he won a trades union scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford
, where he and William McCarthy
became the first student team to win the Observer Macedebating contest, Megahy later became a lecturer. Shortly afterwards Tom was struck down with polio, but did not let the consequent disability stand in the way of his politicial career.
, Yorkshire
, becoming a councillor
in 1963 and then became the Leader of Kirklees Council
in 1974. He succeeded in the difficult task of welding together a new council composed of Huddersfield
and Dewsbury
, when neither wanted ti work together. For this he was appointed an MBE.
Two years later he lost his seat, but in 1979 - despite deep-seated doubts abou the European Union
project - he successfully stood for the European Parliament
. His constituency stretched from Hemworth to Huddersfield
and from Pontefract
to the Colne Valley
.
He served on a series of Parliamentary committees, including social affairs, employment and transport and from 1987 until 1989, vice-president of the European parliament.
Elected on the Labour Party policy of "withdrawal from the Common Market", he always supported this policy and campaigned vehemently against Neil Kinnock
's move to change it. In spite of that, he worked hard to help construct a social side to the economic community, being instrumental in the drafting of the 1993 European working time directive. His walking disability inspiried him to work hard to establish a disability card that was accepted throughout the EU.
Tom spent many years as a member of the legal affairs committee, and when he retired as an MEP in 1999, he was awarded an honourary doctorate of civil law from Huddersfield University.
The following day he saw his chance to reciprocate the courtesy. He was already seated when he saw the Frenchman enter the dining room, and he beckoned him to share his table.
As his fellow member took his seat, Megahy said triumphantly "bon appetite", and nodding politely, the Frenchman said "Tom Megahy".
Megahy recounted how he regretted there was no English equivalent of bon appetite.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(16 July 1929 - 5 October 2008) was British teacher and politician, who served as a Member of the European Parliament
Member of the European Parliament
A Member of the European Parliament is a person who has been elected to the European Parliament. The name of MEPs differ in different languages, with terms such as europarliamentarian or eurodeputy being common in Romance language-speaking areas.When the European Parliament was first established,...
for the constituency of Yorkshire South West
Yorkshire South West (European Parliament constituency)
Yorkshire South West was a European Parliament constituency covering the southern parts West Yorkshire in England and, at times, part of South Yorkshire....
between 1979 and 1999. He was a prominent member of 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...
.
Background
The son of a railwayman, Tom Megahy was born in LanarkshireLanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, Scotland
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...
, and became active in politics in his youth. He got a job on the railways after leaving school at 14, and did his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. In 1953 he won a trades union scholarship to Ruskin College, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, where he and William McCarthy
William McCarthy, Baron McCarthy
William Edward John McCarthy, Baron McCarthy is a British politician. McCarthy is a fellow of Nuffield College and Templeton College, Oxford and a specialist in industrial relations. He was created a life peer in 1976...
became the first student team to win the Observer Macedebating contest, Megahy later became a lecturer. Shortly afterwards Tom was struck down with polio, but did not let the consequent disability stand in the way of his politicial career.
Political career
He moved to MirfieldMirfield
Mirfield is a small town and civil parish within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It is located on the A644 road between Brighouse and Dewsbury...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, becoming a councillor
Councillor
A councillor or councilor is a member of a local government council, such as a city council.Often in the United States, the title is councilman or councilwoman.-United Kingdom:...
in 1963 and then became the Leader of Kirklees Council
Kirklees
The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 401,000 and includes the settlements of Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Kirkburton, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield and Slaithwaite...
in 1974. He succeeded in the difficult task of welding together a new council composed of Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
and Dewsbury
Dewsbury
Dewsbury is a minster town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It is to the west of Wakefield, east of Huddersfield and south of Leeds...
, when neither wanted ti work together. For this he was appointed an MBE.
Two years later he lost his seat, but in 1979 - despite deep-seated doubts abou the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
project - he successfully stood for the European Parliament
European Parliament
The European Parliament is the directly elected parliamentary institution of the European Union . Together with the Council of the European Union and the Commission, it exercises the legislative function of the EU and it has been described as one of the most powerful legislatures in the world...
. His constituency stretched from Hemworth to Huddersfield
Huddersfield
Huddersfield is a large market town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, situated halfway between Leeds and Manchester. It lies north of London, and south of Bradford, the nearest city....
and from Pontefract
Pontefract
Pontefract is an historic market town in West Yorkshire, England. Traditionally in the West Riding, near the A1 , the M62 motorway and Castleford. It is one of the five towns in the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield and has a population of 28,250...
to the Colne Valley
Colne Valley
The Colne Valley is a steep sided valley on the east flank of the Pennine Hills in the English county of West Yorkshire. It takes its name from the River Colne which rises above the town of Marsden and flows eastward along the floor of the valley....
.
He served on a series of Parliamentary committees, including social affairs, employment and transport and from 1987 until 1989, vice-president of the European parliament.
Elected on the Labour Party policy of "withdrawal from the Common Market", he always supported this policy and campaigned vehemently against Neil Kinnock
Neil Kinnock
Neil Gordon Kinnock, Baron Kinnock is a Welsh politician belonging to the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament from 1970 until 1995 and as Labour Leader and Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition from 1983 until 1992 - his leadership of the party during nearly nine years making him...
's move to change it. In spite of that, he worked hard to help construct a social side to the economic community, being instrumental in the drafting of the 1993 European working time directive. His walking disability inspiried him to work hard to establish a disability card that was accepted throughout the EU.
Tom spent many years as a member of the legal affairs committee, and when he retired as an MEP in 1999, he was awarded an honourary doctorate of civil law from Huddersfield University.
Story
Megahy would tell a story of his early days when he went down to breakfat at his hotel and found himself sharing a table with a French member. As he took his seat, he stretched out his hand and said "Tom Megahy" whereupon the Frechman smiled and replied "Bon appetite". It is very quickly apparent that neither spoke the other's language, and all they could do was smile and nod politely at one another.The following day he saw his chance to reciprocate the courtesy. He was already seated when he saw the Frenchman enter the dining room, and he beckoned him to share his table.
As his fellow member took his seat, Megahy said triumphantly "bon appetite", and nodding politely, the Frenchman said "Tom Megahy".
Megahy recounted how he regretted there was no English equivalent of bon appetite.