Background
Thomas Howell Williams Idris was born on August 5, 1842 in Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
Thomas Howell Williams Idris was born on August 5, 1842 in Pembrokeshire, United Kingdom.
His nonconformist background ensured that he favoured Welsh disestablishment. He was an advocate of industrial Profit sharing for workers, which he practised in his own company, initiating a profit sharing scheme in addition to wages. He was elected to the London County Council (LCC) at the inaugural elections of 1889. He was elected to represent Street Pancras North for the Progressive Party. He served as Chairman of the Water, Main Drainage and Rivers Committee.
He was re-elected until standing down in 1898. At the 1892 General Election he stood as Liberal candidate for Denbigh Boroughs. At the 1900 General Election he stood as Liberal candidate for Chester.
In August 1902, after a four-year break, he was elected again to the LCC for the Progressive Party in the by-election for Street Pancras East.
He was re-elected in 1904 and stood down in 1907. He served as a Justice of the Peace in Merioneth and London.
He became the first President of the Council of the Garden City Association. At the 1906 General Election he stood as Liberal candidate for Flint Boroughs, his third attempt to enter parliament, and this time he was successful, winning the seat with an 11% majority over the Conservative candidate John Eldon Banks.
He served just one parliamentary term before standing down in January 1910. He served as High Sheriff for Merioneth from 1912-1913. Director First Garden City, Limited. Chemist and mineral water manufacturer.
He was President of the British Pharmaceutical Conference of 1903-1904.