John McCallum (British politician)

[4] McCallum was identified as a supporter of the great Liberal prime minister William Ewart Gladstone, particularly on the issue of Irish Home Rule.

He was a supporter of the Paisley Tenants’ Protection Association (PTPA) set up in 1902 and formed to campaign against the missive system, underpinning Scottish property transactions, and against rent increases.

[8] McCallum first stood for Parliament in Paisley at the general election of 1906, succeeding Sir William Dunn who had been Liberal MP for the town since winning a by-election in 1891.

He faced Liberal Unionist opposition and a candidate from the Scottish Workers' Representation Committee for labour, but he won with a majority of 3,070 votes and 52.7% of the poll.

While soon being approached by a number of local Liberals and urged to fight as an official Coalitionist, he wavered and the Coalition Coupon was bestowed on his Unionist opponent, John Taylor.

[14] His death caused a by-election in Paisley and presented the opportunity for former Liberal Party leader H. H. Asquith to return to the House of Commons.