Joseph Arch

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Joseph Arch (10 November 1826 – 12 February 1919) was an English politician.

Born in Barford, Warwickshire, Arch founded the National Agricultural Labourers Union in May 1872 and became its president. A rise then came in the wages of agricultural labourers; this had the unforeseen effect of destroying the union for labourers, who deeming their object gained, ceased to agitate. The union finally collapsed in 1896 but was Resurrected as the National Union of Agricultural and Allied Workers in 1906.

Arch nevertheless retained sufficient popularity to be re-elected to parliament for North-West Norfolk as a Liberal in 1885; and though defeated next year owing to his policy regarding Irish Home Rule, he regained his seat in 1892, and held it in 1895, retiring in 1900. He was said to be well-respected in the House of Commons.

Such was the “messiah” qualities of Arch that, many a self respecting union minded agricultural labourers would display a portrait of Arch in their homes

Used to be a poem recited by the labourers which went:

Joseph Arch he stole a march,
Upon a spotted cow.
He scampered off to Parliament,
But where is Joseph Now?

Presumably because the labourers felt he had abandoned them when he became an MP.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

"From Ploughtail to Parliament" an Autobiography Joseph Arch

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by (new constituency)	Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk 1885–1886	Succeeded by Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck
Preceded by Lord Henry Cavendish-Bentinck	Member of Parliament for North West Norfolk 1892–1900	Succeeded by Sir George White