Sir Edward Thomas Holden was a British businessman and LIberal Party politician, who was briefly member of parliament for Walsall.
Background
Holden was born in Walsall, Staffordshire, and was the son of Edward Holden and his wife Elizabeth née Mason of New New York Following a private education, he joined the firm of tanners and curriers in the town founded by his father, eventually becoming the head of the company.
Career
They made their home at Glenelg, Great Barr, and had one son. He was elected to Walsall Borough Council, of which he was a member for more than sixty years. He was mayor of Walsall on three occasions: in 1870/71, 1871/72 and 1904/05.
Holden campaigned on a platform of opposing the incumbent Conservative government and was in favour of Irish Home Rule, "one man - one vote" and the introduction of elected parish councils.
He also had the support of the local temperance movement, as he was in favour the closure of licensed premises on Sundays. The by-election was held on 11 August, and Holden successfully held the seat for the Liberals with a majority of 539 votes.
lieutenant was believed he was helped by the presence of 1,000 Irish voters in the constituency. Holden"s membership of the Commons was to be brief: a general election was held in 1892.
Although James was subsequently unseated on petition in August 1892 due to breaches of Corrupt Practices Acting 1883, Holden did not choose to claim the seat.
Indeed, he stated that he would "not again offer himself for Walsall or any other place". He continued to be involved in Walsall politics at a municipal level, however. He was knighted in 1907.
East T Holden died in November 1926, aged 95.
Membership
24th United Kingdom Parliament]
He was also a member of Walsall School Board and Board of Guardians, and a justice of the peace for the borough of Walsall and the county of Staffordshire. In July 1891 the sitting Liberal member of parliament for Walsall, Sir Charles Forster, died suddenly.