T. Russell Williams

He became interested in ethical socialism and joined the Independent Labour Party (ILP), serving on its national council, though never becoming a figure well-known to the public.

[1] He was initially selected by the local trades council, and only later gained the backing of the ILP, against the private wishes of Ramsay MacDonald.

[2] He believed that he had a strong chance of winning the seat, but ultimately took a close second place, with 35.2% of the vote, on an extremely high turnout of 94% of eligible voters.

[3] Williams stood again at the 1906 Huddersfield by-election, for the renamed Labour Party, but again lost narrowly, his vote dropping slightly to 33.8%.

[4] Williams lost further favour with the ILP leadership after he endorsed Victor Grayson in his successful independent labour campaign at the 1907 Colne Valley by-election.