James William Cleland
# James William Cleland

James William Cleland (1874 – 21 October 1914) was a Scottish Liberal Party politician and Barrister.

## Background

He was born in Glasgow in 1874, the son of Charles Cleland, a manufacturer. He was educated at The Glasgow Academy before moving south to complete his education at Balliol College, Oxford, where he graduated with honours in the School of Jurisprudence. In 1897, whilst at University he became President of the Oxford Union.

## Career

In 1899 he was called to the Bar at Middle Temple in London. He returned to his native Glasgow to contest the 1900 General Election as Liberal candidate for Bridgeton, but was unsuccessful;

General election 1900: Glasgow Bridgeton :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Charles Dickson | 5,032 |
| | Liberal | James William Cleland | 4,041 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing |

He returned to London and soon became active in politics in London and in 1901 he was elected to the London County Council for the Liberal backed Progressive Party, representing Lewisham. As part of the ruling administration, he was appointed Chairman of Parks and Establishment Committees. In 1903 he stood for parliament as Liberal candidate at the Lewisham by-election, finishing second;

Lewisham by-election, 1903 :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Edward Coates | 7,709 |
| | Liberal | James William Cleland | 5,697 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,012 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,406 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing |

After this unsuccessful attempt, he was re-elected in 1904 to the London County Council, again for Lewisham. In 1906 he again returned to his native Glasgow to contest the 1906 General Election as Liberal candidate for Bridgeton and was elected;

General election 1906: Glasgow Bridgeton :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal | James William Cleland | 5,585 | 58.2 |
| | Conservative | Charles Dickson | 4,019 | 41.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | |

In 1907 he did not seek re-election to the London County Council so that he could concentrate on his parliamentary duties. After one full parliamentary term, he sought re-election and was successful;

General election Jan 1910: Glasgow Bridgeton :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes |
| - | - | - | - |
| | Liberal | James William Cleland | 5,336 |
| | Conservative | Patrick Keith Lang | 3,539 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing |

He chose not to defend his seat at the December 1910 General Election and did not stand for parliament again.

He remained single throughout his life and died in 1914 at the age of 40.

