James Guy

James Guy (13 November 1860 – 23 August 1921) was an Australian politician. A blacksmith by profession, he was one of the founders of the Tasmanian Labor Party in 1903 and held senior office in the party for nearly two decades. He was a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 1909 to 1913 and a Senator for Tasmania from 1914 to 1920. His son Allan Guy followed him into politics.

Early life Guy was born on 13 November 1860 in Launceston, Tasmania, the oldest of twelve children born to Margaret (née Polock) and Andrew Guy. He was educated at state schools and then began working as a blacksmith for W. Gurr and Son.

State politics In 1903, Guy helped establish the Tasmanian Workers' Political League, the predecessor of the modern Australian Labor Party (ALP), and was elected as the organisation's inaugural treasurer. He later served as president (1904–1906, 1908) and general secretary (1909–1921). winning the most votes in Bass. In parliament he supported the abolition of the Legislative Council, higher salaries for MPs, and the implementation of wage controls. His share of the vote fell in 1912 and he lost his seat at a snap election the following year. He spoke frequently on social policy, supporting the establishment of widow's pensions and full prohibition of alcohol, specifically "the importation, manufacture, and sale of wines, beer, and spirituous liquors throughout the Commonwealth". He described the establishment of the Commonwealth Bank as "the greatest piece of legislation ever enacted in the world's history". During World War I, Guy reluctantly supported the war effort but was strongly opposed to any form of conscription. In the lead-up to the 1916 conscription referendum he described overseas conscription as "iniquitous, oppressive, hateful, and repulsive".

Outside of politics, Guy was a trustee of the Chalmers Presbyterian Church in Launceston and taught Sunday school. He was also chairman of the Launceston United Friendly Societies' Dispensary, a director of the Permanent Building Society, and secretary of the Independent Order of Rechabites. He was in poor health at the time of his defeat and died at his home in Inveresk on 23 August 1921.