Joseph Arch (10 November 1826 – 12 February 1919) was an English trade unionist and politician, born in Barford, Warwickshire, who played a key role in unionising agricultural workers and in championing their welfare.

Called to address an initial meeting held on 7 February 1872 in the Stag's Head public house in Wellesbourne, Arch had been expecting an attendance of fewer than thirty.

The meeting was therefore held under a large chestnut tree opposite on a dark, wet, winter night, with the labourers holding flickering lanterns on bean poles to illuminate the proceedings.

[4] Following the withdrawal of their labour, when farmers and landowners found their reprisals were no longer effective, there was a temporary rise in the workers' wages, whereupon they ceased to organise.

Arch also turned to agitating for the widening of the voting franchise, which until then only included property owners, and this resulted in the passing of the 1884 Parliamentary Reform Act.

In the ensuing 1885 General Election, Arch was returned as the Liberal Party MP for North West Norfolk, the first agricultural labourer to enter the House of Commons.

[9] The Museum of English Rural Life has an archive with holdings relating to Arch which include personal diaries and ledgers and the Union collecting boxes.