The Life and Legacy of James Wignall, M.P.
The Life and Legacy of James Wignall, M.P. A Name Rarely Heard in Swansea James Wignall Daily Express The name James Wignall was not a common one in Swansea , yet in June 1925 it appeared prominently in newspapers across Britain. On 11 June , the Daily Express published a dramatic report under the headline: “M.P. DIES AFTER A COLLAPSE IN PARLIAMENT – TRAGEDY FOLLOWS A SPEECH – VICTIM OF THE HEAT.” The article described how Mr. James Wignall , Socialist Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean , collapsed in a corridor of the House of Commons and died only hours later in Westminster Hospital . Shortly before his collapse he had attended a meeting of the Socialist Party in one of the committee rooms, where he had delivered a speech. He then briefly visited the standing committee on the Criminal Justice Bill , but left the room visibly distressed and fell as soon as he reached the corridor. Two medical members of the House, Sir Richard Luce and Dr. Haden Guest , attended him imm...
