Tom Boyd

Who was Tom Boyd?

Tom Boyd was a shipyard worker, patternmaker, trade unionist and politician in Northern Ireland.

After studying at Belfast Technical College and Queen's University, Belfast, Boyd became prominent in the United Patternmakers' Association. Joining the Northern Ireland Labour Party, he stood for election to the Belfast Board of Guardians in 1933.

In the Northern Ireland general election, 1938, Boyd stood unsuccessfully in Belfast Victoria. In the 1945 UK general election, he stood for the Westminster seat of Belfast East, taking 43.6% of the vote. He stood for the seat again in 1950, 1951 and 1955, but never came so close to election.

In the Northern Ireland general election, 1949, Boyd stood in Belfast Bloomfield, and in 1953, he stood in Belfast Pottinger. He finally won this seat in 1958, and on election he became the leader of the NILP, a post he held until finally losing his seat at the 1969 election.

Following his defeat, Boyd led the Presbyterian Church of Ireland Social Services Committee until 1978.