Thomas, James Henry (1874–1949)

Welsh Labour politician. He was made secretary of state for the colonies in the first Labour government in 1924.

As an engine-driver he was elected to the Swindon town council, and in 1904 became president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. Thomas was Labour MP for Derby from 1910 to 1936. In the World War I he was a member of Arthur Balfour's mission to the USA. Thomas was appointed secretary of state for the colonies in the first Labour government, 1924, and lord privy seal and minister of employment in the second Labour government, 1929–30. In June 1930 he became secretary of state for dominion affairs, being transferred to the Colonial Office in 1935. In 1936 he resigned both from office and from Parliament as a result of the report of a tribunal set up to consider unauthorized disclosures relating to the Budget. Thomas was author of When Labour Rules 1920; The Red Light on Railways 1921; and My Story 1937.

He was born in Newport, Monmouthshire (Gwent), son of a labourer.