J. H. Whitley Lecture

The J.H. Whitley Lecture is an annual public lecture hosted by the University of Huddersfield.

The J.H. Whitley lecture series began in 2012 following the Whitley family's generous donation of the J.H. Whitley collection in October 2011 with the University of Huddersfield. This fascinating archive is owned by the University and it includes books, journals, newspaper articles and letters from J.H. Whitley’s career in politics and public service. The collection continues to be an invaluable resource for researchers, students and scholars.

 

Previous J.H. Whitley Lectures

About J.H. Whitley

John Henry Whitley, often known as J.H. Whitley, was a British politician born in 1866. 

Whitley was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, the son of Nathan Whitley who served as Mayor of Halifax. Prior to starting his political career J.H. Whitley entered his Uncle Samuel Whitley’s cotton spinning business in Halifax. He then went on to become a Liberal MP for Halifax in 1900, a seat he held until he resigned in 1928. 

He died in 1935, aged 68 and he is buried in the Lister Lane Cemetery in Halifax.  

J. H. Whitley J.H. Whitley

During World War I

In 1917, he was appointed to chair a committee to report on ‘the Relations of Employers and Employees’ in the wake of the establishment of the Shop Stewards Movement and the widespread protest action against dilution. The smooth running of industry was vital to the war effort so maintaining good industrial relations was a priority. 

He proposed a system of regular formal consultative meetings between workers and employers, known to this day as ‘Whitley Councils’.

Whitley was appointed Speaker of the House of Commons in 1921, a post he held until 1928. Despite resigning as MP and Speaker, his political work continued. He chaired the Royal Commission on Labour in India, which reported in 1931. The report surprised many by concurring with the criticisms of Mahatma Gandhi and others that poverty was the cause of India’s social and industrial problems. It was also critical of British employers’ role in perpetuating the problems.

Whitley was offered a knighthood for his work on this report, but he declined.