James Murray

Background

Murray was born in East Howle, County Durham, on 17 September 1887 to William Murray and Amelia Murray née Dixon.

Career

He began work in a Durham pit at 13, and at 16 was hewing coal. He was a miners" union official, was elected to Durham County Council in 1925, and in 1937 became an Alderman of Durham City. He held the seat at the 1945 election, and when the Spennymoor constituency was abolished for the 1950 general election, he was returned as Member of Parliament for the new North West Durham seat.

He retired from Parliament at the 1955 election.

Maiden speech

An urban myth surrounds his maiden speech. lieutenant is popularly believed that it took him years to make his maiden speech, finally rising to his feet during World World War II to complain about "the shortage of dum-tits at Meadowfield Company-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 World War II, 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 Member of Parliament Robert Boothby for eating an orange, as Boothby was allergic to oranges.

Achievements

• He had an elementary education, educated at East Howle Elementary school, but was anxious to improve himself, went to evening classes and twice won Western Economic Association, USA (Workers’ Educational Association) university scholarships.

Membership

37th United Kingdom Parliament. 38th United Kingdom Parliament. 39th United Kingdom Parliament.

40th United Kingdom Parliament]

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 was elected unopposed as Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Spennymoor at a by-election in July 1942, following the resignation through ill-health of the Labour Member of Parliament Joseph Batey.