Alexander Anderson (Scottish politician)


Alexander Anderson was a Labour Party politician in Scotland, who represented the for Motherwell constituency in the House of Commons for nine years.
Born in Wick, Caithness, Anderson was educated at the University of Edinburgh. He became a teacher, and also joined the Social Democratic Federation. He served on its executive in 1902, and then on that of its successor, the British Socialist Party, in 1913 and 1914. In 1915, he tied in the vote with John Maclean, but he won a re-vote. However, he was defeated in 1916.
The BSP affiliated to the Labour Party, and Anderson thereafter devoted his time to it, serving on Motherwell and Wishaw Town Council from 1929 until 1945.
He first stood for the seat at a by-election in April 1945, when he lost to Dr. Robert McIntyre of the Scottish National Party. He won it at the general election in July that year, and held it until his death in 1954 aged 65.