He also joined the Independent Labour Party and won election to the local council, representing Southowram.
[1][2] In 1911, Rushworth relocated to Scotland, to become the full-time Scottish District Secretary of the union, and during World War I, he served on the Wool Council, representing Scottish textiles.
[1] In 1919, Rushworth was elected as general secretary of the union, relocating to Bradford.
He also became vice chair of the National Association of Unions in the Textile Trade.
[1][2] On 11 November 1929, Rushworth was addressing a meeting at the Bradford Trades Hall, when he collapsed and died.