Edwin Wainwright

Edwin Wainwright (12 August 1908 – 22 January 1998) was a British Labour Party politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Dearne Valley from 1959 to 1983, when the seat was abolished in boundary changes.

Early life On 12 August 1908, Wainwright was born in New Scarborough, Wombwell. His father, John Wainwright, was a miner at Darfield Main Colliery and served as chairman of the local National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch.

Local politics In 1939, Wainwright was elected unopposed to Wombwell Urban Council.

During the 1950s, Wainwright served as a member of the Staincross Division Education Executive, a governor of Wombwell County Secondary School, and West Riding representative on the management of St. Michael's Roman Catholic School in Wombwell. He also served as secretary of the Dearne Valley Division Labour Party. As a miner and NUM representative, he had the backing of the local colliery workers. He was selected as the candidate on 13 September, defeating Dr. Donald Higgins, who had been secretary of Wath Labour Party since 1937.

In October 1959, Wainwright was elected Member of Parliament for Dearne Valley over David Stewart Willisley Blacker, the Conservative Party candidate. He increased the party's majority to 27,883 votes.

Labour MP In 1964, Wainwright served on the committee stage of the first Continental Shelf bill.

Personal life In June 1938, Wainwright married Dorothy Metcalfe in Wombwell. They had two sons (Tony and John) and two daughters (Sheila and Susan). Wainwright died on 22 January 1998 in Wombwell.

During the 1930s, Wainwright played for Wombwell Station Road F.C. and served as secretary for the club.

Awards and recognition In 1957, Wainwright was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours.