President of the Trades Union Congress

Early standing orders stated that preference had to be given to a candidate from the city where the congress was being held; they were not necessarily well-known figures.

[1] In 1900, the standing orders were changed to state that the presidency would be filled by the person who had chaired the Parliamentary Committee over the previous year.

[2] The Parliamentary Committee was replaced by the General Council in 1921, and the system continued.

Margaret Bondfield, who was elected as chair in 1923, resigned to accept a government post before becoming president.

[3] George Isaacs, who was elected as Chair in 1944, similarly resigned to accept a government post, and was replaced by the vice-president, Ebby Edwards, who had presided over the previous year's congress.