James Dixon Murray
Encyclopedia
James "Jim" "Jimmy" "JD" Dixon Murray (17 September 1887 – 24 January 1965) was a British
coal miner and Labour Party
politician in the United Kingdom
.
, on 17 September 1887 to William Murray and Amelia Murray née Dixon. He was a member of a family of 12 brought up in a miner's three-roomed cottage at 27, Front Street, Browney Colliery
. He began work in a Durham pit at 13, and at 16 was hewing coal. He had an elementary education, educated at East Howle Elementary school, but was anxious to improve himself, went to evening classes and twice won WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) university scholarships.
of Durham City.
(MP) for Spennymoor
at a by-election in July 1942
, following the resignation through ill-health of the Labour MP Joseph Batey
. He held the seat at the 1945 election
, and when the Spennymoor constituency was abolished for the 1950 general election
, he was returned as MP for the new North West Durham seat.
He retired from Parliament
at the 1955 election
.
. It is popularly believed that it took him years to make his maiden speech, finally rising to his feet during World War II
to complain about "the shortage of dum-tits
at Meadowfield Co-op".
In fact he made his maiden speech
, entitled "Coal Situation" on 1 October 1942, a little over two months after his election to parliament. His speech about the "Soothers" was actually made during the closing months of World War II
, almost 3 years after his entry to Parliament.
until he died.
He was an Independent Methodist Minister and President of the Browney Independent Methodist Church in Brandon Lane. When the chapel closed, he founded and opened the new Murray Independent Methodist Church on 11 October 1958 on the new Saw Mills Estate, at Grove Road, Brandon
which is locally known as "Jimmy Murray's chapel".
At his death in 1965 he left an estate valued at over £14,000 and was survived by his wife and their three daughters.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
coal miner and Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
politician in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
Early life and education
James Dixon Murray was born in East Howle, County DurhamCounty Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, on 17 September 1887 to William Murray and Amelia Murray née Dixon. He was a member of a family of 12 brought up in a miner's three-roomed cottage at 27, Front Street, Browney Colliery
Browney
Browney is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated to the south-west of Durham and adjoins Meadowfield. It is part of the parish of Brandon and Byshottles....
. He began work in a Durham pit at 13, and at 16 was hewing coal. He had an elementary education, educated at East Howle Elementary school, but was anxious to improve himself, went to evening classes and twice won WEA (Workers’ Educational Association) university scholarships.
Early political career (1925–1942)
He was a miners' union official, was elected to Durham County Council in 1925, and in 1937 became an AldermanAlderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
of Durham City.
Parliamentary career
He was elected unopposed as Member of ParliamentMember of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) for Spennymoor
Spennymoor (UK Parliament constituency)
Spennymoor was a county constituency centred on the town of Spennymoor in County Durham. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post system.-History:...
at a by-election in July 1942
Spennymoor by-election, 1942
The Spennymoor by-election, 1942 was a parliamentary by-election held on 21 July 1942 for the British House of Commons constituency of Spennymoor in County Durham....
, following the resignation through ill-health of the Labour MP Joseph Batey
Joseph Batey
Joseph Batey was a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom.He was elected at the 1922 election as Member of Parliament for the Spennymoor constituency in County Durham, which he had contested unsuccessfully at the 1918 election...
. He held the seat at the 1945 election
United Kingdom general election, 1945
The United Kingdom general election of 1945 was a general election held on 5 July 1945, with polls in some constituencies delayed until 12 July and in Nelson and Colne until 19 July, due to local wakes weeks. The results were counted and declared on 26 July, due in part to the time it took to...
, and when the Spennymoor constituency was abolished for the 1950 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1950
The 1950 United Kingdom general election was the first general election ever after a full term of a Labour government. Despite polling over one and a half million votes more than the Conservatives, the election, held on 23 February 1950 resulted in Labour receiving a slim majority of just five...
, he was returned as MP for the new North West Durham seat.
He retired from Parliament
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
at the 1955 election
United Kingdom general election, 1955
The 1955 United Kingdom general election was held on 26 May 1955, four years after the previous general election. It resulted in a substantially increased majority of 60 for the Conservative government under new leader and prime minister Sir Anthony Eden against Labour Party, now in their 20th year...
.
Maiden speech
An urban myth surrounds his maiden speechMaiden speech
A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected or appointed member of a legislature or parliament.Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country...
. It is popularly believed that it took him years to make his maiden speech, finally rising to his feet during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to complain about "the shortage of dum-tits
Pacifier
A pacifier is a rubber, plastic, or silicone nipple given to an infant or other young child to suck upon. In its standard appearance it has a teat, mouth shield, and handle...
at Meadowfield Co-op".
In fact he made his maiden speech
Maiden speech
A maiden speech is the first speech given by a newly elected or appointed member of a legislature or parliament.Traditions surrounding maiden speeches vary from country to country...
, entitled "Coal Situation" on 1 October 1942, a little over two months after his election to parliament. His speech about the "Soothers" was actually made during the closing months of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, almost 3 years after his entry to Parliament.
Parliamentary incidents
Murray was publicly reprimanded in the House of Commons on 17 March 1947 by Tory MP Robert Boothby for eating an orange, as Boothby was allergic to oranges.Personal life
Prior to his election to Parliament, he ran a shop and lived in a house opposite it in Frederick Street, MeadowfieldMeadowfield
Meadowfield is a small village in County Durham, England, situated approximately 2 miles south-west of Durham on the A690. It is situated within the civil parish of Brandon and Byshottles....
until he died.
He was an Independent Methodist Minister and President of the Browney Independent Methodist Church in Brandon Lane. When the chapel closed, he founded and opened the new Murray Independent Methodist Church on 11 October 1958 on the new Saw Mills Estate, at Grove Road, Brandon
Brandon, County Durham
Brandon is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated a short distance to the southwest of Durham. Brandon was originally one of the seven townships within the ancient parish of Brancepeth. It grew from a sparsely populated agricultural area into a populous mining district after the...
which is locally known as "Jimmy Murray's chapel".
At his death in 1965 he left an estate valued at over £14,000 and was survived by his wife and their three daughters.