John Houfton

Sir John Plowright Houfton (13 December 1857 – 18 November 1929)[1] was a British colliery owner and politician from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire.

Houfton first stood for election to Parliament at a by-election in May 1914, when he was the Liberal Party candidate for North East Derbyshire.

However, Martin, who was keen to stand, was required by the MFGB to pledge support to the Labour Party.

[2] Houfton did not stand again until 1922, when the death of Sir J. D. Rees triggered a by-election in the Nottingham East constituency.

[4] After a campaign described by The Times newspaper as "strenuous",[5] Houfton won the seat[6] with 52% of the votes, and a majority of 4,973 (25%) over the second-placed Labour Co-operative candidate.