James Branch

James Branch (27 February 1845 – 16 November 1918), was a British boot manufacturer and Liberal politician.[1][2]

James Branch

Branch was born in Bethnal Green in the East End of London, where he established a boot factory.[2] An active member of the Liberal Party, he was president of the Bethnal Green Liberal Association for twenty years. In 1889 he was elected to the first London County Council as a member of the Liberal-backed Progressive Party representing Bethnal Green South West until 1907.[3][2][4][1][5][6][7][8] He was a justice of the peace for the County of London, and well known for his philanthropic work in the East End and as a prominent member of the Congregational Church.[1]

At the 1906 general election Branch successfully contested the parliamentary constituency of Enfield, one of many Liberals who unseated sitting Conservative MPs.[2] He was defeated at the next election in January 1910, following a campaign where his Conservative opponents alleged that he was a Polish Jew and was using a false name. They also falsely claimed that he had discharged his British employees in favour of foreign workers.[9][10] He attempted to regain the seat at the next election in December of the same year, but failed to be elected.[11]