James Mawdsley (trade unionist)

Alongside Winston Churchill, he stood as a Conservative Party candidate in the double Oldham by-election of 1899.

[3] Shortly after his appointment he led the operatives in south east Lancashire in a strike against a 20% reduction in wages, securing 5% of this back in early 1880.

In 1895 there was a nascent plan for Mawdsley to stand for Parliament as a Conservative, in conjunction with David Holmes of the Weavers' union as a Liberal, both being regarded as Labour representatives.

Mawdsley was chosen as a candidate, alongside future British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill.

Mawdsley was unusual as a Conservative Party candidate, who was also heavily involved in trade unions.