Ernest Edward Winch

Winch, Ernest Edward

Ernest Edward Winch, trade unionist, politician (b at Harlow, Eng 22 Mar 1879; d at Vancouver 11 Jan 1957). He was a vigorous and dogmatic radical in his early years in the BC labour and socialist movements, active in supporting the ONE BIG UNION and rather suspicious at first of the doctrinal soundness of the central Canadian and academic reformers who associated with him in the formation of the CO-OPERATIVE COMMONWEALTH FEDERATION in 1932. Winch became somewhat more moderate in his politics after his election as CCF MLA for Burnaby in 1933, a seat he held continuously until his death. He became a resolute advocate for immediate reform, exposing abuses and inadequacies in BC's social welfare and correctional institutions and taking a special interest in the problems of the aged. His son Harold Edward (b at Loughton, Eng 18 June 1907), who was elected CCF MLA for Vancouver E in 1933, became provincial party leader in 1938 and served as leader of the Opposition 1941-53. When the CCF was defeated in the controversial election of 1953, which saw W.A.C. BENNETT come to power, Harold abandoned provincial politics for the House of Commons, where he represented Vancouver E until his retirement in 1972.