Catalogue Number
NMLH.1993.421
Object Name
Serviette
Title
'Souvenir of Labour Success, Burnley Parliamentary Election 14th December 1918.'
Place
Burnley, Lancashire, UK
People
Dan Irving, Labour Party
Events
Election
Description
Commemorative paper napkin/serviette featuring flags and a sketch of Dan Irving MP, celebrating his 1918 election. The serviette includes quotes about housing inequality, and the election results themselves.
Dan Irving (31 October 1854 â 25 January 1924) became a union activist after unjust treatment by his employer when he lost his leg in an industrial accident while working on the Midlands railway. He became a socialist politician and eventually sat as a Labour Party MP for Burnley from 1918 until his death. Irving notably spoke out about the difficulties of surviving on an MP's allowance as a working class politician, compared to his wealthier colleagues.
The 1918 election was the first to take place following the end of World War I, and was the first in which the Labour Party won enough seats to become the official opposition.
*On Display*
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