Wilfrid Sugden

Sir Wilfrid Hart Sugden (8 December 1879 – 27 April 1960) was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. A Member of Parliament (MP) for fourteen years, he represented three different constituencies, losing his seat twice and losing in three other elections which he contested.

Early life and career

Sugden was born in Bolton, Lancashire, the son of William Arthur and Isabella Sugden. He was educated at London University and abroad. He became a constructional engineer and served in the Royal Engineers during the First World War.

The Labour party's vote collapsed at the 1931 general election after Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald formed a National Government, splitting his party. Sugden contested the Labour-held marginal seat of Leyton West in London, where he was returned to the House of Commons with a majority of nearly 10,000. However, he was ousted again at the 1935 general election, when Labour's Rev. Reginald Sorensen was returned with a majority of only 128.

He then contested the Islington North constituency, at a by-election in 1937 following the death of the Conservative MP Albert Goodman. He lost again, on a swing of 6.9% against the Conservatives.

Sugden's last electoral contest was at the 1945 general election, in the Labour-held constituency of Manchester Platting. Labour held the seat with a majority of over 7,000.