William House (trade unionist)

House grew up in the West Auckland area of County Durham.

He worked for many years as a coal miner,[1] and joined the Independent Labour Party.

[1] In 1899, he was chosen as an agent for the Durham Miners' Association,[3] and he was elected as the union's president the following year, serving until his death.

[4] House stood for the Labour Party at Bishop Auckland for the January and December 1910 general elections, coming within 5% of victory on the second occasion.

He was the union's choice to replace John Wilson in the 1915 Mid Durham by-election, but they ultimately chose not to stand him, due to the electoral truce during the First World War.