Originally intending to join the ministry, Ablett was turned to the plight of the poor pay and working conditions of the Rhondda coal miners.
By 1919 Ablett was an executive of the South Wales Miners' Federation and was chairman of the board of governors of the Central Labour College.
[3] 1919 also saw the release of Ablett's sole book Easy outline of economics, published through the Plebs' League.
Aneurin Bevan, Labour politician and founder of the National Health Service, described Ablett as "a leader of great intellectual power and immense influence.
"[5] Ablett played the major role in the political education of Arthur Horner, who later served as Secretary General of the National Union of Mineworkers.