John Evans (10 September 1875 – 18 April 1961) was a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was elected as member of parliament (MP) for Ogmore at a by-election in 1946, but stood down at the 1950 general election. John Evans, a fluent Welsh speaker, was elected MP for Ogmore in 1946, following a by-election, caused by the resignation of Ted Williams who had been appointed as high commissioner to Australia. It was said by many that at 70 years of age he was too old for the job but it is well to remember that Winston Churchill became prime minister for the second time at 76 and remained an MP into his eighties.

Early life and career

John Evans was born at Cwmparc in the Rhondda Valley in September 1875 and attended the local Park Board School. He started work at twelve years of age in the local colliery where he remained for the next 20 years before winning a place at Ruskin College. On his return he became union secretary at Coegnant colliery, Maesteg. By now he was living at Nantyffyllon. He was elected to Maesteg UDC (1916–37) and Glamorgan CC (1913–46).

Parliamentary career

In 1929 he stood unsuccessfully for parliament in

Montgomeryshire Montgomeryshire ( ) was Historic counties of Wales, one of the thirteen counties of Wales that existed from 1536 until their abolishment in 1974. It was named after its county town, Montgomery, Powys, Montgomery, which in turn was named after ...

, and in 1931 he failed to get the nomination for Ogmore losing out to Ted Williams. Surprisingly, as the sitting MP, he failed to gain the nomination, from the Ogmore Labour Party, for the 1950 General Election, despite being steeped in mining tradition and Welsh Culture.

Walter Padley Walter Ernest Padley (24 July 1916 – 15 April 1984) was a British Labour Party (UK), Labour Member of Parliament (United Kingdom), Member of Parliament for Ogmore (UK Parliament constituency), Ogmore. He was also President of the Union of Sh ...

gained the nomination and went on to be the MP for the next 29 years.

Later life

Shortly after his non-selection, John Evans moved to Tongwynlais near Cardiff and from there won a seat on Glamorgan CC in 1952, at the grand age of 75. John Evans died in 1961, aged 85.

References

* * 1875 births 1961 deaths National Union of Mineworkers-sponsored MPs Welsh Labour MPs UK MPs 1945–1950 Members of Glamorgan County Council {{Wales-Labour-UK-MP-stub