Bill Yates, the 1950s and 1960s Wrekin MP, clearly found a way to rope in his family to keep his name in the public eye. Here he is in September 1964 with wife Camilla and their children, from left, Mark, aged three, four-year-old Peter, and Tom, who was six. It won't have been a coincidence that a general election was coming up. The poll was on October 15 and Bill held the seat for the Conservatives. The picture was probably taken in Stirchley, where he lived.placeholder image
Bill Yates, the 1950s and 1960s Wrekin MP, clearly found a way to rope in his family to keep his name in the public eye. Here he is in September 1964 with wife Camilla and their children, from left, Mark, aged three, four-year-old Peter, and Tom, who was six. It won't have been a coincidence that a general election was coming up. The poll was on October 15 and Bill held the seat for the Conservatives. The picture was probably taken in Stirchley, where he lived. | Shropshire Star archive

23 pictures of the politicians who shaped Shropshire's past

By Toby Neal
Published 10th Nov 2026, 02:00 GMT

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Cheers and jeers, glorious triumphs and heartbreaking losses - a pictorial journey into Shropshire’s political past

They get brickbats and they get backslaps, but generally more of the former than the latter.

We're talking about politicians, those people who put themselves forward to serve voters and stand up for what they believe.

For a long time the political landscape in Shropshire was straightforward - Tory MPs in all parts, with the exception of The Wrekin, which swung this way and that. In the modern era that pattern has been broken, and it's all to play for.

Over the years there have been big personalities, controversial personalities, and Shropshire MPs with notable long service.

Join us in remembering some of those who lit up the political stage in past times.

  • You can enjoy this and more with our weekly FREE Nostalgia Newsletter - with scores of archive pictures and exclusive features on the history of Shropshire and Mid Wales - all sent to your inbox every week. Sign up here
  • For anyone curious about where their own family story leads, MyHeritage DNA kits are currently £19.90, excluding shipping. The test can help explore genetic origins and identify DNA matches who may share branches of your family tree. This is an affiliate link. We may earn a small commission on items purchased, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
Miss Edith Picton-Turbervill was Shropshire's first, and until recently only, woman MP. She was elected for Labour to serve as The Wrekin MP in 1929, but was not to have a long stint, being defeated at the 1931 general election. Today Shropshire has two women MPs, Helen Morgan, and Julia Buckley.

21. A political pioneer

Miss Edith Picton-Turbervill was Shropshire's first, and until recently only, woman MP. She was elected for Labour to serve as The Wrekin MP in 1929, but was not to have a long stint, being defeated at the 1931 general election. Today Shropshire has two women MPs, Helen Morgan, and Julia Buckley. | Unknown

Photo Sales
For those in political circles in Wellington area in the 1930s there would be some familiar faces here. This is the annual meeting of Wrekin Conservative Association on April 14, 1934. There is a key on the back of the print as follows: Back row, from left, first two unknown, W G Smith, Mrs H P Sykes, General Hoare, Col E R H Herbert, Major General H D O Ward, Lt-Col H P Sykes, Mrs Bond, R H Colwill, Mrs Bestwick. Front row from left: R F Meyrick, Miss Annie Webb, Colonel James Baldwin-Webb (the Wrekin MP), the 5th Earl of Bradford, Alderman W G Dyas, Lady Yate, and Tom Jones. This was among Wrekin Conservative Association memorabilia in the possession of Mrs Jo Savage, of Admaston, having come to her through the daughter of Maurice Ridgwell, the Wrekin Conservative agent of around the 1930s and 1940s.

22. The Conservative crew from the 1930s

For those in political circles in Wellington area in the 1930s there would be some familiar faces here. This is the annual meeting of Wrekin Conservative Association on April 14, 1934. There is a key on the back of the print as follows: Back row, from left, first two unknown, W G Smith, Mrs H P Sykes, General Hoare, Col E R H Herbert, Major General H D O Ward, Lt-Col H P Sykes, Mrs Bond, R H Colwill, Mrs Bestwick. Front row from left: R F Meyrick, Miss Annie Webb, Colonel James Baldwin-Webb (the Wrekin MP), the 5th Earl of Bradford, Alderman W G Dyas, Lady Yate, and Tom Jones. This was among Wrekin Conservative Association memorabilia in the possession of Mrs Jo Savage, of Admaston, having come to her through the daughter of Maurice Ridgwell, the Wrekin Conservative agent of around the 1930s and 1940s. | Jo Savage/Maurice Ridgwell

Photo Sales
Having had a look at Tories in Wellington area, political balance dictates we bring you the local Labour team, albeit quite a bit later. These are Labour members following the 1951 general election, and they are in Morris Hall, Wellington, which became Stubleys. They're looking happy because their candidate Ivor Thomas, the sitting MP, had held the seat - he's in the suit just right of centre. On the left with her arm in the air is Eva Harrison with her husband Mellor, both of whom were involved in local politics for many years.

23. A Labour night to remember

Having had a look at Tories in Wellington area, political balance dictates we bring you the local Labour team, albeit quite a bit later. These are Labour members following the 1951 general election, and they are in Morris Hall, Wellington, which became Stubleys. They're looking happy because their candidate Ivor Thomas, the sitting MP, had held the seat - he's in the suit just right of centre. On the left with her arm in the air is Eva Harrison with her husband Mellor, both of whom were involved in local politics for many years. | Shropshire Star archive

Photo Sales
Previous
6 / 6
Next Page
Related topics:PoliticsShropshireMPs
Local news you can trust
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice