# Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress

The Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress was the leading body of the British trade union movement from 1871 until 1921.

## History

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) was established in 1868 and formed a committee to act on its decisions and direct activities between conferences. Initially, this was an informal body, and the leading role in the movement was taken by the unelected "Junta", with limited backing from their Conference of Amalgamated Trades. In 1871, they decided to dissolve their organisation and throw their support behind the TUC.
Now occupying the leading position in the British trade union movement, the TUC decided to formalise its activities. Its committee was re-established as the "Parliamentary Committee", indicating that, at that time, the TUC was focused on lobbying the Parliament of the United Kingdom to enact new legislation favourable to workers, and to ensure that current legislation was enforced.
Trade union membership grew rapidly during the life of the committee, and it was enlarged on several occasions, settling for a time at 12 members, then reaching a maximum of 16. After a rail strike in 1919 was resolved by mediation, Ernest Bevin proposed that the TUC should take on a mediation role throughout the movement. A committee investigated the proposal, and concurred, but argued that the Parliamentary Committee could not take on the work, as it was under-resourced and insufficiently representative. In 1921, it was replaced by the General Council of the TUC, an enlarged body which employed full-time members of staff.

## Members

A full list of members is available in the Trades Union Congress's Report of the 1921 Annual Trades Union Congress. Additional details are from W. J. Davis, History of the British Trades Union Congress.

### 1868 to 1871

There were six members of the informal committee which existed until 1871:
| Year | Secretary/ Chairman | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member |
| 1868 | W. H. Wood Manchester TC | C. D. Dewhurst Bradford TC | William Dronfield Sheffield TC | George Potter London TC | Peter Shorrocks Manchester TC | Thomas J. Wilkinson Birmingham TC |
| 1869 | George Potter London TC | Alfred Bailey Tailors | William Dronfield Sheffield TC | Edwin Coulson Bricklayers | George Howell Bricklayers | John Kane Ironworkers |
| 1870 | George Potter London TC | Alfred Bailey Tailors | William Dronfield Sheffield TC | Edwin Coulson Bricklayers | George Howell Bricklayers | John Kane Ironworkers |
In 1871, an exploratory Parliamentary Committee was created with five members.
| Year | Secretary | Chairman | Member | Member | Member |
| 1871 | George Howell Bricklayers | George Potter London TC | Lloyd Jones Manchester Fustian | Joseph Leicester Flint Glass Makers | Alexander Macdonald Miners |

### 1872 to 1906

The Parliamentary Committee was firmly established at the 1872 Congress, with nine members, although William Allan was given an additional place for the first year.
| Year | Secretary | Chairman | Treasurer | Year | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member |
| 1872 | George Howell Bricklayers | Alexander Macdonald Miners | William Allan Engineers | 1872 | Thomas Halliday Amalg. Miners | William Hicking Nottingham TC | David Higham Typographical | John Kane Ironworkers | William Leigh Spinners | William H. Leatherland Nottingham TC | George Thomas London Shoemakers | 10 members in 1872/3 | 10 members in 1872/3 | 10 members in 1872/3 |
| 1873 | George Howell Bricklayers | Alexander Macdonald Miners | William Allan Engineers | 1873 | Daniel Guile Iron Founders | William Owen Turners | George Odger London TC | John Kane Ironworkers | Thomas Plackett Leeds TC | Peter Shorrocks Tailors | 9 members in 1873/4 | 9 members in 1873/4 | 9 members in 1873/4 | 9 members in 1873/4 |
| 1874 | George Howell Bricklayers | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Daniel Guile Iron Founders | 1874 | William Allan Engineers | Joseph Arch Agricultural | George Odger London TC | Andrew Boa Glasgow TC | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | Alexander Macdonald Miners | Thomas Mottershead Preston TC | William Rolley Sheffield TC | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1875 | George Howell Bricklayers | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Daniel Guile Iron Founders | 1875 | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | Thomas Halliday Miners | George Odger London TC | John Kane Ironworkers | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | George Shipton London Painters | William Rolley Sheffield TC | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1875 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | John Kane Ironworkers | George Shipton London Painters | 1875 | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Thomas Halliday Miners | George Odger London TC | John Battersby Scottish Typographical | Robert Knight Boilermakers | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | Henry Taylor Agricultural | William Rolley Sheffield TC | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1876 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | George Shipton London Painters | 1876 | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Thomas Halliday Miners | George Odger London TC | John Battersby Scottish Typographical | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Joseph Arch Agricultural | John Burnett Engineers | William Rolley Sheffield TC | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1877 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | George Shipton London Painters | 1877 | Alfred Bailey Tailors | George M. Ball Agricultural | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Henry Slatter Typographical | John Burnett Engineers | Thomas Smith Boot & Shoe | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1878 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | George Shipton London Painters | 1878 | William Crawford Durham Miners | George M. Ball Agricultural | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Henry Slatter Typographical | John Burnett Engineers | James Fitzpatrick Liverpool TC | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1879 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | Henry Slatter Typographical | John Burnett Engineers | 1879 | William Crawford Durham Miners | George M. Ball Agricultural | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Alfred Bailey Tailors | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | George Shipton London Painters | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1880 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | William Crawford Durham Miners | John Burnett Engineers | 1880 | Henry Slatter Typographical | George M. Ball Agricultural | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Alfred Bailey Tailors | John D. Prior Amalg. Carpenters | George Shipton London Painters | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1881 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | John Burnett Engineers | 1881 | William Crawford Durham Miners | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | William Paterson Scottish Carpenters | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Henry Slatter Typographical | George Shipton London Painters | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1882 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | John Inglis Blacksmiths | John Burnett Engineers | 1882 | William Crawford Durham Miners | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | William Paterson Scottish Carpenters | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | Robert Knight Boilermakers | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Henry Slatter Typographical | James Mawdsley Spinners | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1883 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | Alfred Bailey Tailors | John Burnett Engineers | 1883 | William Crawford Durham Miners | John Inglis Blacksmiths | G. D. Kelley Printers | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | W. H. Leatherland Nottingham TC | James S. Murchie Amalg. Carpenters | Henry Slatter Typographical | George Shipton London Painters | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1884 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | James S. Murchie Amalg. Carpenters | John Burnett Engineers | 1884 | William Crawford Durham Miners | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James Mawdsley Spinners | Henry Slatter Typographical | George Sedgwick Boot & Shoe | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1885 | George Shipton London Painters | James Mawdsley Spinners | John Burnett Engineers | 1885 | William Crawford Durham Miners | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James S. Murchie Amalg. Carpenters | Henry Slatter Typographical | George Sedgwick Boot & Shoe | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1886 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | Henry Slatter Typographical | 1886 | William Crawford Durham Miners | James Mawdsley Spinners | Alfred Bailey Tailors | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | George Shipton London Painters | James S. Murchie Amalg. Carpenters | James Swift Steam Engine Makers | Stuart Uttley Sheffield TC | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1887 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | William Crawford Durham Miners | Henry Slatter Typographical | 1887 | Edward Harford Railway Servants | James Mawdsley Spinners | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | George Shipton London Painters | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | G. D. Kelley Printers | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1888 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | George Shipton London Painters | Henry Slatter Typographical | 1888 | Edward Harford Railway Servants | James Mawdsley Spinners | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | William Crawford Durham Miners | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James S. Murchie Amalg. Carpenters | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1889 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | James Swift Steam Engine Makers | Henry Slatter Typographical | 1889 | Edward Harford Railway Servants | James Mawdsley Spinners | John Inglis Blacksmiths | Thomas Birtwistle NE Lancs Weavers | William Crawford Durham Miners | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | George Shipton London Painters | Havelock Wilson Sailors | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1890 | Charles Fenwick Northumberland Miners | Edward Harford Railway Servants | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1890 | John Burns Engineers | James Mawdsley Spinners | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | G. D. Kelley Printers | William Matkin General Carpenters | Benjamin Pickard Miners | Stuart Uttley Sheffield TC | Havelock Wilson Sailors | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1891 | Charles Fenwick Northumberland Miners | John Wilson Durham Miners | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1891 | Thomas Birtwistle Weavers | Edward Harford Railway Servants | John Inglis Blacksmiths | G. D. Kelley Printers | William Matkin General Carpenters | James Mawdsley Spinners | T. R. Threlfall Typographical | Havelock Wilson Sailors | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1892 | Charles Fenwick Northumberland Miners | Havelock Wilson Sailors | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1892 | John Anderson Engineers | Edward Harford Railway Servants | John Hodge Steel Smelters | David Holmes Weavers | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James Mawdsley Spinners | Ben Tillett General Labourers | John Wilson Durham Miners | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1893 | Charles Fenwick Northumberland Miners | John Burns Engineers | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1893 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | Edward Cowey Miners | John Hodge Steel Smelters | David Holmes Weavers | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James Mawdsley Spinners | Ben Tillett General Labourers | Havelock Wilson Sailors | 11 members 1874 – 1894 | 11 members 1874 – 1894 |
| 1894 | Sam Woods Miners | David Holmes Weavers | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1894 | Henry Broadhurst Stonemasons | Edward Cowey Miners | John Burns Engineers | Edward Harford Railway Servants | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James Mawdsley Spinners | Ben Tillett General Labourers | Havelock Wilson Sailors | Richard Sheldon Belfast TC | Will Thorne Gasworkers |
| 1895 | Sam Woods Miners | Edward Cowey Miners | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1895 | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | George Ferguson Engineers | John Hodge Steel Smelters | Edward Harford Railway Servants | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James Mawdsley Spinners | David Holmes Weavers | Havelock Wilson Sailors | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | Will Thorne Gasworkers |
| 1896 | Sam Woods Miners | Will Thorne Gasworkers | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1896 | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | Edward Cowey Miners | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Edward Harford Railway Servants | J. M. Jack Iron Moulders | James Mawdsley Spinners | David Holmes Weavers | Havelock Wilson Sailors | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | Robert Knight Boilermakers |
| 1897 | Sam Woods Miners | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1897 | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | Edward Cowey Miners | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Edward Harford Railway Servants | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | William Mullin Cardroom | David Holmes Weavers | Havelock Wilson Sailors | Will Thorne Gasworkers | Robert Knight Boilermakers |
| 1898 | Sam Woods Miners | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | William Inskip Boot & Shoe | 1898 | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | Edward Cowey Miners | Walter Hudson Railway Servants | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | William Mullin Cardroom | David Holmes Weavers | | Will Thorne Gasworkers | Robert Knight Boilermakers |
| 1899 | Sam Woods Miners | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | 1899 | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Edward Cowey Miners | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | William Mullin Cardroom | David Holmes Weavers | | Will Thorne Gasworkers | Robert Knight Boilermakers |
| 1900 | Sam Woods Miners | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | 1900 | Charles Hobson Kindred Trades | Edward Cowey Miners | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | William Mullin Cardroom | David Holmes Weavers | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Will Thorne Gasworkers | Robert Knight Boilermakers |
| 1901 | Sam Woods Miners | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | 1901 | Charles Hobson Kindred Trades | Edward Cowey Miners | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | William Mullin Cardroom | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Will Thorne Gasworkers | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers |
| 1902 | Sam Woods Miners | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | 1902 | Richard Bell Railway Servants | Edward Cowey Miners | David Holmes Weavers | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | William Mullin Cardroom | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Will Thorne Gasworkers | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers |
| 1903 | Sam Woods Miners | Richard Bell Railway Servants | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | 1903 | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Edward Cowey Miners | David Holmes Weavers | A. H. Gill Cotton Spinners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Will Thorne Gasworkers | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers |
| 1904 | Sam Woods Miners | James Sexton Dock Labourers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | 1904 | Richard Bell Railway Servants | James Haslam Miners | David Shackleton Weavers | A. H. Gill Cotton Spinners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | Will Thorne Gasworkers | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers |
| 1905 | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | 1905 | Richard Bell Railway Servants | James Haslam Miners | David Shackleton Weavers | A. H. Gill Cotton Spinners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | Will Thorne Gasworkers | James Sexton Dock Labourers |
| 1906 | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | A. H. Gill Cotton Spinners | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | 1906 | Richard Bell Railway Servants | James Haslam Miners | David Shackleton Weavers | George Barnes Engineers | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | Will Thorne Gasworkers | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers |

### 1907 to 1916

The committee was restructured at the 1907 Congress, sixteen members being elected. Eleven were elected from trade groups, and five from a "miscellaneous trades" group. Additionally, the secretary was elected separately. Davis continued to serve as treasurer for three more years before the post was abolished. Since 1900, the chairman had gone on to become president at the annual congress, and this practice was continued.
After only one year, the Engineers group was abolished, its seat given to the Miscellaneous Trades group, and most of the other groups were renumbered.
The groups were as follows:
| Group (1907) | Group (1908 – 1916) | Trades |
| 1 | 1 | Boilermakers and Iron and Steel Shipbuilders |
| 2 | 2 | Building Trades |
| 3 | 3 | Cotton Operatives |
| 4 | 4 | Dock Labourers, Stevedores, Cranemen, Enginemen, etc. |
| 5 | Abolished | Engineers |
| 6 | 5 | Gasworkers and General Labourers |
| 7 | 6 | Metal Workers |
| 8 | 7 | Miners |
| 9 | 8 | Printing and Paper Trades |
| 10 | 9 | Railway Servants |
| 11 | 10 | Weavers |
| 12 | 11 | Miscellaneous Trades |
The members in this period were:
| Year | Secretary | Boilermakers | Building | Cotton | Dock | Engineers | Gasworkers | Metal | Miners | Printing | Railway | Weavers | Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous |
| 1907 | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | A. H. Gill Spinners | James Sexton Dock Labourers | George Barnes Engineers | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | James Haslam Miners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | Richard Bell Railway Servants | David Shackleton Weavers | Ben Cooper Cigar Makers | W. Boyd Hornidge Boot & Shoe | William Mosses Patternmakers | Joe Williams Musicians | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | Seat added 1908 |
| 1908 | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | D. C. Cummings Boilermakers | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | William Mullin Cardroom | Thomas Watson Enginemen | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | James Haslam Miners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | Richard Bell Railway Servants | David Shackleton Weavers | Matthew Arrandale Machine Workers | Harry Gosling Watermen | William Mosses Patternmakers | Joe Williams Musicians | Alexander Wilkie Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1909 | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | John Hill Boilermakers | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | William Mullin Cardroom | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | James Haslam Miners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | Richard Bell Railway Servants | David Shackleton Weavers | Matthew Arrandale Machine Workers | Harry Gosling Watermen | William Mosses Patternmakers | Herbert Emery Bakers | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1910 | W. C. Steadman Thames Barge Builders | John Hill Boilermakers | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | William Mullin Cardroom | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | James Haslam Miners | C. W. Bowerman Compositors | J. E. Williams Railwaymen | David Shackleton Weavers | Matthew Arrandale Machine Workers | Harry Gosling Watermen | William Mosses Patternmakers | Herbert Emery Bakers | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1911 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | John Hill Boilermakers | William Matkin General Carpenters | William Mullin Cardroom | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | James Haslam Miners | Alfred Evans Printers' Warehousemen | J. E. Williams Railwaymen | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Matthew Arrandale Machine Workers | Harry Gosling Watermen | William Mosses Patternmakers | Herbert Emery Bakers | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1912 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | John Hill Boilermakers | William Matkin General Carpenters | William Mullin Cardroom | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | James Haslam Miners | Alfred Evans Printers' Warehousemen | J. E. Williams Railwaymen | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Matthew Arrandale Machine Workers | Harry Gosling Watermen | George Edwards Agricultural | Joe Williams Musicians | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1913 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | John Hill Boilermakers | William Matkin General Carpenters | A. H. Gill Spinners | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Herbert Smith Miners | Alfred Evans Printers' Warehousemen | J. E. Williams Railwaymen | J. W. Ogden Weavers | William Mosses Patternmakers | Harry Gosling Watermen | Alfred Smith Vehicle Workers | Joe Williams Musicians | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1914 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | John Hill Boilermakers | William Matkin General Carpenters | A. H. Gill Spinners | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Herbert Smith Miners | Alfred Evans Printers' Warehousemen | J. E. Williams Railwaymen | J. W. Ogden Weavers | William Mosses Patternmakers | Harry Gosling Watermen | Alfred Smith Vehicle Workers | Joe Williams Musicians | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |
| 1915 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | John Hill Boilermakers | Francis Chandler Amalg. Carpenters | William Mullin Cardroom | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Group abolished | Will Thorne Gasworkers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Herbert Smith Miners | Alfred Evans Printers' Warehousemen | J. E. Williams Railwaymen | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Herbert Skinner Typographical | Harry Gosling Watermen | Alfred Smith Vehicle Workers | Joe Williams Musicians | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | J. A. Seddon Shop Assistants |

### 1916 to 1921

From 1916, the trade groups were no longer used for elections. The council was enlarged to seventeen members plus the secretary. In 1919, it was cut back again to sixteen members.
| Year | Secretary | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member | Member |
| 1916 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | Fred Bramley Furnishing | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | T. A. Flynn Tailors | Harry Gosling Watermen | John Hill Boilermakers | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | Edward Judson Spinners | William Mosses Patternmakers | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Alfred Onions Miners | Edward L. Poulton Boot & Shoe | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Robert Smillie Miners | G. H. Stuart-Bunning Postmen | J. H. Thomas Railwaymen | Will Thorne Gasworkers | R. B. Walker Agricultural |
| 1917 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | Fred Bramley Furnishing | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Frederick Hall Miners | Harry Gosling Watermen | John Hill Boilermakers | J. H. Jenkins Shipwrights | Edward Judson Spinners | Herbert Skinner Typographical | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Alfred Onions Miners | Edward L. Poulton Boot & Shoe | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Joe Williams Musicians | G. H. Stuart-Bunning Postmen | J. H. Thomas Railwaymen | Will Thorne Gasworkers | R. B. Walker Agricultural |
| 1918 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | Margaret Bondfield General Workers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Thomas Greenall Miners | Harry Gosling Watermen | John Hill Boilermakers | Robert Shirkie Enginemen | Havelock Wilson Sailors | Herbert Skinner Typographical | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Alfred Onions Miners | Edward L. Poulton Boot & Shoe | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Joe Williams Musicians | G. H. Stuart-Bunning Postmen | J. H. Thomas Railwaymen | Will Thorne Gasworkers | R. B. Walker Agricultural |
| 1919 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | Margaret Bondfield General Workers | W. J. Davis Brassworkers | Henry Boothman Spinners | Harry Gosling Watermen | John Hill Boilermakers | A. A. Purcell Furnishing | Alonzo Swales Engineers | Herbert Skinner Typographical | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Reduced to 16 members from 1919 | Edward L. Poulton Boot & Shoe | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Joe Williams Musicians | G. H. Stuart-Bunning Postmen | J. H. Thomas Railwaymen | Will Thorne Gasworkers | R. B. Walker Agricultural |
| 1920 | C. W. Bowerman London Compositors | Margaret Bondfield General Workers | John Beard Workers Union | Henry Boothman Spinners | Harry Gosling Watermen | John Hill Boilermakers | A. A. Purcell Furnishing | Alonzo Swales Engineers | Arthur Pugh Iron & Steel | J. W. Ogden Weavers | Reduced to 16 members from 1919 | Edward L. Poulton Boot & Shoe | James Sexton Dock Labourers | Robert Smillie Miners | Alfred Smith Vehicle Workers | J. H. Thomas Railwaymen | Will Thorne Gasworkers | R. B. Walker Agricultural |