by Keith Lewis-Jones
James Keir Hardie
Plaque sited at the main entrance of the Old Town Hall, CF47 8AE
James Keir Hardie, (1856-1915) was born in Lanarkshire. He worked as a miner and journalist before, in 1893, founding the Independent Labour Party.
In 1900, he stood as a candidate in the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare Constituency and won one of the two seats.
He is recognised as the leading founder of the Labour Party in 1906. His determination and sincerity provided the basis for the early growth of the Labour Party in the South Wales coalfield and Britain.
I have long held the view that there should be a statue of Keir Hardie in Merthyr. It is absurd that the founder of the Independent Labour Party and then the major mover in the founding of the Labour Party, who served as an MP for Merthyr for fifteen years, is not recognised in this way.
Keir Hardie was a regular visitor to my grandfather’s home in Poplar Street, Troedyrhiw. My aunt could remember sitting on his lap and playing with him and an uncle, who sadly died in childhood was named James Keir Griffiths after him.