CLYNES, JOHN ROBERT (1869– ), English states man, was born at Oldham, Lancs., on March 27, 1869, of working class parents, and worked himself as an artisan for many years. He was active in the trade-union movement, and eventually be came president of the National Union of General and Municipal Workers, and chairman of its executive council. He entered par liament as Labour member for north-east Manchester (Platting division) in 1906, and has sat uninterruptedly for the same con stituency ever since. He was parliamentary secretary to the min istry of food under Lord Rhondda (1917-18), and succeeded him as minister in 1918; but resigned after the armistice.
At the beginning of the session of 1919 Clynes was elected vice chairman of the Labour Party, and chairman in 1921, but after the election of 1922 the Labour M.P.s selected J. R. MacDonald as parliamentary leader. As deputy leader Clynes moved on Jan. 17, 1924, the Labour amendment of want of confidence in Bald win's Government which brought that Government down and put the Labour Party in office. He became lord privy seal and deputy leader of the House of Commons. Whether leader or deputy leader of his party, Clynes always spoke in the House of Commons with moderation, and was always heard with respect. He was secretary of state for home affairs from 1929 to 1931.