Annie Maxton

Who is Annie Maxton?

Annie Maxton was a Scottish socialist and trade unionist.

Born in Glasgow, Maxton was convinced to join the Independent Labour Party by her elder brother, James Maxton. She trained as a teacher and became active in the Educational Institute of Scotland.

When internal disputes rocked the ILP in Glasgow, Maxton did not get involved. As a result, in 1937, she was elected Chairman of the Scottish Divisional Council of the ILP - an important position, given that all the ILP's Members of Parliament were based in Glasgow.

With her newfound prominence, Maxton stood in several elections for the ILP, including the East Renfrewshire by-election, 1940. She stood in the important Glasgow Camlachie by-election, 1948, but took only 6.4% of the votes cast. By this point, the ILP was in sharp decline, no longer retaining any Parliamentary representation. Although many members left to join the Labour Party, Maxton remained loyal to the ILP, and in 1953 was elected its Chair, a position she held until 1958.