John Hinds (politician)

John Hinds (26 July 1862 – 23 July 1928) was a Welsh businessman and politician. At the December 1910 general election Hinds was chosen as the Liberal candidate for the seat of West Carmarthenshire, holding the seat until its abolition in 1918.

Hinds was born at Cwnin Farm near Carmarthen. He was the son of William Hinds and Mary née Jones. He was apprenticed as a draper to his uncle who had a business in Carmarthen Town. In 1887 he moved to Blackheath in the south eastern suburbs of London where he founded the highly successful drapery firm of Hinds and Company. At various times he held the offices of chairman of the Drapers’ Fire Insurance Corporation and president of the Drapers’ Chamber of Trade.

Hinds was an active member of the Liberal Party, at one time holding the presidency of the Blackheath Liberal Association. He began to search for a parliamentary seat in Wales and early in 1910 came close to being selected as Liberal candidate for Merthyr Tydfil. Shortly afterwards he was briefly mentioned as a possible candidate for East Glamorgan.

Later that year, John Lloyd Morgan, the Liberal MP for West Carmarthenshire was made a judge and stood down as candidate for the second General Election of 1910. Hinds now sought the nomination for the constituency. Five other candidates contested the nomination, including Sir Owen Philipps, who was standing down as member for Pembroke Boroughs, and Sir Courtenay Mansel. It was initially suggested that the contest of the nomination would primarily be between Hinds and Philipps. Henry Jones-Davies, who was both a prominent member of Carmarthenshire County Council and brother-in-law of the late Liberal politician, Tom Ellis led at each stage of the voting at a selection conference held at Water Street Chapel, Carmarthen. However, at the final ballot, Hinds won by 188 votes against 186.

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