The first Bradford Trades Council was founded in July 1867 by six local unions. They were inspired by the London tailors' strike, but feared that it would result in a ban on trade unions. It was led by president William Angus, secretary C. D. Dewhurst, and treasurer Robert Bayes. It sent questions to the candidates in the
1867 Bradford by-election, but ultimately decided against backing either candidate. Dewhurst represented the council at the first
Trades Union Congress, but he read a paper which had not been approved by the trades council. It was also found that his union had not paid its affiliation fees, so he was replaced as secretary. He had returned to the post by 1869, but the council ceased operating soon afterwards. A new Bradford Trades Council was founded on 16 July 1872 at the Black Bull. It was led by president
Samuel Shaftoe, vice president Robert Scott, treasurer W. Scruton, and secretary Edward Riley. In its early years, it focused on campaigning for a nine-hour maximum working day, and on providing support for unions which were in dispute. The first woman to become a delegate to the trades council was
Julia Varley, in 1899; five years later, she was the first woman to become a member of its executive. The trades council opposed
World War I, prompting some local Labour councillors to ask it to drop "Labour" from its name. This was rejected, and the council continued on a radical course, supporting the
Hands Off Russia campaign, and organising the
1926 UK general strike in the city. It has remained active ever since, and in recent years has been known as the
Bradford Trades Union Council. ==Officers==