Norval Helme

Sir Norval Watson Helme (22 September 1849 – 6 March 1932) was an English businessman and Liberal Party politician from Lancaster. He held a series of local political offices before winning a seat in the House of Commons in 1900.

Helme was the son of James Helme, from Lancaster. He was educated at the Lancaster Royal Grammar School, and entered his father's business James Helme and Company, whose Halton Mills manufactured oilcloth, baize and leathercloth. By 1900, he was the senior partner of the company. When Lancashire County Council was created in 1889, he was elected to represent the city of Lancaster, and served on the County Council until at least 1900, having been returned unopposed at each election. defeating by only 44 votes the sitting Conservative MP William Henry Foster. He was re-elected in 1906 with an increased majority of 884 votes (7.2%) over Foster, and December elections in 1910. He was knighted in July 1912. However, at the 1918, Helme did not receive the Coalition Coupon, and was defeated by the Coalition Conservative candidate Sir Archibald Hunter.