James Moher

Moher retired from the Council in 2014, to devote more time to research and writing and became a historian of social and labour movements. He had obtained a doctorate for his thesis on the early history of the engineering/millwrights' trade in the London area at the [[Institute of Historical Research]] and Royal Holloway College of the University of London in 1989. This was a part time study, but was recognised as original research and conclusions and so awarded a doctorate by the Institute of Historical Research, Royal Holloway College, University of London.

Moher retired from the Council in 2014, to devote more time to research and writing and became a historian of social and labour movements. He had obtained a doctorate for his thesis on the early history of the engineering/millwrights' trade in the London area at the [[Institute of Historical Research]] and Royal Holloway College of the University of London in 1989. This was a part time study, but was recognised as original research and conclusions and so awarded a doctorate by the Institute of Historical Research, Royal Holloway College, University of London.

He became a visiting fellow at the Institute of Contemporary British History, King's College, London (2014 to date) and for two terms a Visiting Fellow Commoner at[Girton College, Cambridge] {{Cite web |url=http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/moher-jim |title=Girton College Fellows list |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184845/http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/moher-jim |url-status=dead }} (2016–17). He became a founding member of the History and Policy Trade Union and Employment Forum (TU&EF, in 2006, which brings together historians, union activists and others to examine past episodes of the Labour Movement with a view to influencing current policy. It is now part of the Institute of Historical Research of the University of London. To this end, Moher has been deeply involved arranging many seminars and conferences at King's College, London and other venues. They engaged many leading figures of the past in contributing their experience, memories and views on recent leading historical events such as the Miners'Strike 1984–5, The Wapping (Printers) Dispute of 1985, the Bullock Report 1977 and Equal Pay for Women. Their aim is to provide material from which the lessons of the past can be learned to inform the future policy of the unions and Labour movement. In this way it is hoped to reform the one-sided and unfair legal restrictions imposed on the trade unions since the 1980s. The various sessions are captured on the History and Policy website (historyandpolicy.org).

He became a visiting fellow at the Institute of Contemporary British History, King's College, London (2014 to 2025) and for two terms was also a Visiting Fellow Commoner at[Girton College, Cambridge]in 2016-7 {{Cite web |url=http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/moher-jim |title=Girton College Fellows list |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184845/http://www.girton.cam.ac.uk/moher-jim |url-status=dead }} (2016–17). He became a founding member of the History and Policy Trade Union and Employment Forum (TU&EF, in 2006, which brings together historians, union activists and others to examine past episodes of the Labour Movement with a view to influencing current policy. It is now part of the Institute of Historical Research (IHR)of the University of London.He became a Fellow at the IHR in 2025. To this end, Moher has been deeply involved arranging many seminars and conferences at King's College, London and other venues. They engaged many leading figures of the past in contributing their experience, memories and views on recent leading historical events such as the Miners'Strike 1984–5, The Wapping (Printers) Dispute of 1985, the Bullock Report 1977 and Equal Pay for Women. Their aim is to provide material from which the lessons of the past can be learned to inform the future policy of the unions and Labour movement. In this way it is hoped to reform the one-sided and unfair legal restrictions imposed on the trade unions since the 1980s. The various sessions are captured on the History and Policy website (historyandpolicy.org).

Moher has published books, pamphlets and papers in many of those topics: on trade unions and the law, both current and historical (the Combination laws); on London millwrights (masters and journeymen) and the emergence of the engineering industry in the London area late 18th and early 19th centuries; on the early aircraft industry of Brent in WW1 and the Airco/de Havilland aircraft companies in Kingsbury/Hendon, which developed into a major luxury (Bentleys, Daimlers) car and light engineering industry in north west London until the 1960s - his booklet entitled, Scourge of the Fokkers:The people who made the aircraft of the First World War at Kingsbury, Hendon and Cricklewood (JGM Books, 2017); on union leaders such as Walter Citrine and [[Ernest Bevin]], in the heyday of Britain's unions from the General Strike to World War 2; on local government politics of race and education in London during the 1980s, based on Moher's deep involvement at that time ('Stepping on White Corns'.)

Moher has published books, pamphlets and papers in many of those topics: on trade unions and the law, both current and historical (the Combination laws); on London millwrights (masters and journeymen) and the emergence of the engineering industry in the London area late 18th and early 19th centuries; on the early aircraft industry of Brent in WW1 and the Airco/de Havilland aircraft companies in Kingsbury/Hendon, which developed into a major luxury (Bentleys, Daimlers) car and light engineering industry in north west London until the 1960s - his booklet entitled, Scourge of the Fokkers:The people who made the aircraft of the First World War at Kingsbury, Hendon and Cricklewood (JGM Books, 2017); on union leaders such as Walter Citrine and [[Ernest Bevin]], in the heyday of Britain's unions from the General Strike to World War 2; on local government politics of race and education in London during the 1980s, based on Moher's deep involvement at that time ('Stepping on White Corns'.) Moher has also lectured on many of these topics, including to a large number of Chinese visitors about local government and other issues. He was Chair of Wembley History Society from 2018 to 2020 and remains an active member.

Moher has also lectured on many of these topics, including to a large number of Chinese visitors about local government and other issues. He was Chair of Wembley History Society from 2018 to 2020 and remains an active member.

Most recently, the History & Policy Trade Union & Employment Forum and Institute of Historical Research, launched Moher's biography of Walter Citrine: Forgotten Statesman of the Trades Union Congress.(JGM Books, 2021) Lord Citrine was General Secretary of the [[Trades Union Congress]] 1926-'46. Lord Citrine, the first Baron of Wembley, was General Secretary of the TUC from the General Strike 1926 until he retired in 1946 and also President of the [[International Federation of Trade Unions]] (IFTU) from 1928 to 1945. In such pivotal positions, he had a major influence in transforming the trade unions from a collection of militant occupational bodies into becoming one of the most effective political lobbying bodies in Britain and internationally, consulted by governments of all colours. The book traces his early origins on Merseyside as a militant local union (Electrical Trades Union) official prior to and during the First World War. It explores his role in the General Strike and its aftermath and his interesting relations with the Soviet Union which he visited six times. As IFTU President he witnessed the rise of Hitler's Nazi Party in Berlin where their executive met from 1931 to 1933. Based on this experience, his many reports to the TUC and the Labour Party and Labour & Socialist International during the 1930s are an important new perspective on well-known events, including the [[Spanish Civil War]] and appeasement policies of the British and French governments, which the TUC vigorously opposed. His role on the National Council of Labour from 1931 as joint secretary, was instrumental in changing the pacifist Labour leadership and party to favour rearmament to fight fascism. During the war, Citrine led the unions in forgoing their right to strike and other restrictive practices and fully participated in the production drive which delivered victory with their former trade union leader, Ernest Bevin (1881-1951), seconded to the coalition government as Minister of Labour and National Service. The book explores Citrine and Bevin's 'involuntary partnership' in considerable detail from their first encounter on the TUC General Council in 1926. Citrine departed from the TUC in 1946, disappointed by the failure of Attlee and Bevin and the coalition government to support the TUC's international workers' unity bid with the Soviet and American unions. They were refused membership of the British delegation at the inaugural United Nations conference in San Francisco in 1945. He became instead chair of the Board of the newly nationalised British Electricity Authority in 1947 and his 'second career' is also examined until 1958, when Citrine took up his seat in the [[House of Lords]] actively until the 1970s.

Most recently, the History & Policy Trade Union & Employment Forum and Institute of Historical Research, launched Moher's biography of Walter Citrine: Forgotten Statesman of the Trades Union Congress.(JGM Books, 2021) Lord Citrine was General Secretary of the [[Trades Union Congress]] 1926-'46. Lord Citrine, the first Baron of Wembley, was General Secretary of the TUC from the General Strike 1926 until he retired in 1946 and also President of the [[International Federation of Trade Unions]] (IFTU) from 1928 to 1945. In such pivotal positions, he had a major influence in transforming the trade unions from a collection of militant occupational bodies into becoming one of the most effective political lobbying bodies in Britain and internationally, consulted by governments of all colours. The book traces his early origins on Merseyside as a militant local union (Electrical Trades Union, ETU) official prior to and during the First World War. It explores his prominent role in the General Strike and its aftermath (his Diary of the General Strike captures the events at General Council and other level. It also explores his pioneering relations with the Soviet Union which he visited six times- 1925, 1935, 1941, 1946 and 1954. As IFTU President he witnessed the rise of Hitler's Nazi Party in Berlin where the IFTU executive met from 1931 to 1933. He was a member of the Workers Group of the I.L.O. from its inception and devoted much time at its Geneva headquarters to promoting its Conventions on labour rights. Based on this experience, his many reports to the TUC and the Labour Party and Labour & Socialist International during the 1930s are an important new perspective on well-known events, including the [[Spanish Civil War]], Finnish invasion and appeasement policies of the British and French governments, which the TUC vigorously opposed. His role on the National Council of Labour from 1931 as joint secretary, was instrumental in changing the pacifist Labour leadership and party to favour rearmament to fight fascism. During the war, Citrine led the unions in forgoing their right to strike and other restrictive practices and fully participated in the production drive which delivered victory with their former trade union leader, Ernest Bevin (1881-1951), who was seconded to the coalition government as Minister of Labour and National Service from 1940. The book explores Citrine and Bevin's 'involuntary partnership' in considerable detail since their first encounter on the TUC General Council in 1925. Citrine departed from the TUC in 1946, disappointed by the failure of Attlee and Bevin and the coalition government to support the TUC's attendance as delegates or even observers at the inaugural conference of the Union Nations Organisation at San Francisco in 1944. Instead, he became a Director on the National Coal Board responsible for health and safety of mines and from 1947, chair of the Board of the newly nationalised British Electricity Authority. This 'second career', as he termed it, is also examined until 1958, when Citrine took up his seat in the [[House of Lords]] actively until the 1970s.

== Expertise and activities ==

== Expertise and activities ==

==Career history==

==Career history==

On leaving secondary school in 1963, Moher took a post as clerk in Mitchelstown Creameries and the [[ACC Loan Management|Agricultural Credit Corporation]] but left in 1965 to emigrate to the UK, working on London construction sites (including the original construction of the [[Barbican Centre]] in the City of London) in order to raise funds for his future undergraduate study. This work in construction provided an early insight into the employment protection provided to workers by the labour unions.

On leaving secondary school in 1963, Moher took a post as clerk in Mitchelstown Creameries and the [[ACC Loan Management|Agricultural Credit Corporation]] in Dublin but left in 1965 to emigrate to the UK, working on London construction sites (including the original construction of the [[Barbican Centre]] in the City of London) in order to raise funds for undergraduate law degree course at University College Cork. This work in construction provided an early insight into the employment protection provided to workers by the labour unions.

After graduating with a law degree from [[University College Cork]] in 1973, Moher returned to London to join the [[Transport and General Workers' Union]] under the leadership at the time of General Secretary [[Jack Jones (trade unionist)|Jack Jones]], as a legal officer dealing primarily with industrial law cases such as employment cases, industrial accidents, and the support for workers suffering from illness as a result of their industrial employment.

After graduating with a law degree from [[University College Cork]] in 1973, Moher returned to London to join the [[Transport and General Workers' Union]] under the leadership at the time of General Secretary [[Jack Jones (trade unionist)|Jack Jones]], as a legal officer dealing primarily with industrial law cases such as employment cases, industrial accidents, and the support for workers suffering from illness as a result of their industrial employment.

==Education==

==Education==

Moher obtained his Leaving Certificate with honours at Mitchelstown C.B.S. Co. Cork, Secondary School (now Michelstown C.B.S. Secondary School) in 1963. After a period as a clerk in Mitchelstown and Dublin and labouring in the London construction industry, he attended [[University College Cork]], graduating with a degree in Law (B.C.L.) in 1973. Like many of that generation, he was radicalised politically and espoused a strong communist ideology for a time. This led to his life-long commitment to a trade union and labour movement career. Like many others, his thinking has evolved considerably as his involvement in the trade unions and Labour party, as well as research and publications now show.

Moher obtained his Leaving Certificate with honours at Mitchelstown C.B.S. Co. Cork, Secondary School in 1963. After a period as a clerk in Mitchelstown and Dublin and labouring in the London construction industry, he attended [[University College Cork]], graduating with a degree in Law (B.C.L.) in 1973. Like many of that generation, he was radicalised politically and espoused a strong communist ideology for a time. This led to his life-long commitment to a trade union and labour movement career. Like many others, his thinking has evolved considerably as his involvement in the trade unions and Labour party, as well as research and publications now show.

In 1988, Moher completed a PhD at [[Royal Holloway, University of London|Royal Holloway College, University of London]] titled ''The London Millwrights and Engineers 1775-1825''.Dissertation at the [https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/254006 Cambridge University Digital Archive, Girton College Collection]

In 1988, Moher completed a PhD at [[Royal Holloway, University of London|Royal Holloway College, University of London]] titled ''The London Millwrights and Engineers 1775-1825'' This was a detailed study of one of the most important journeymen clubs in London and the surrounding area, whose members had a tight grip on the handicraft industry of the time in transition to the modern engineering industry. They attracted the attention of the Pitt government in 1799 and a Millwrights anti-combination bill, which was then subsumed into the notorious general Combination Act of 1800. t.Dissertation at the [https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/254006 Cambridge University Digital Archive, Girton College Collection]

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

Moher was born in [[Ballyporeen]], County Tipperary, in 1946. He was the third youngest child of Daniel Moher, a carpenter, and Johanna Moher (née Hickey) who was herself the daughter of a stonemason. In 1973, he married Ruth Hewlett, who was born and brought up in [[Sharlston]], a mining village in [[West Yorkshire]]. She graduated from London University ([[Westfield College]]) with an Honours BA in English Language and Literature. She was a councillor for the London Borough of Brent from 2005 to 2016 (after a career as a social worker/manager) and was a Cabinet Member (Children and Families) from 2012 to 2016 and Deputy Leader (2012–14).Interview notes, with [[Ian Lewis (computer scientist)|Ian Lewis]] at [[Girton College, Cambridge]], 2016 They have two children - Joanna and Daniel, and three grandchildren - Jamie, Grace and Sophie.

Moher was born in [[Ballyporeen]], County Tipperary, in 1946. He was the third youngest child of Daniel Moher, a carpenter, and Johanna Moher (née Hickey) who was herself the daughter of a stonemason. In 1973, he married Ruth Hewlett, who was born and brought up in [[Sharlston]], a mining village in [[West Yorkshire]]. She graduated from London University ([[Westfield College]]) with an Honours BA in English Language and Literature. She was a councillor for the London Borough of Brent from 2005 to 2016 (after a career as a social worker/manager) and was a Brent Council Cabinet Member (Children and Families) from 2012 to 2016 and Deputy Leader (2012–14).Interview notes, with [[Ian Lewis (computer scientist)|Ian Lewis]] at [[Girton College, Cambridge]], 2016 They have two children - Joanna and Daniel, and three grandchildren - Jamie, Grace and Sophie.

Moher was a school governor at his local [[Wembley High Technology College]] from 1974 to 2020,[http://www.whtc.co.uk/124/governors Wembley High Technology Governors List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309231858/http://www.whtc.co.uk/124/governors |date=9 March 2016}} 2016 (including Chair of Governors for some years), which Joanna and Daniel, attended.

Moher was a school governor at his local [[Wembley High Technology College]] from 1974 to 2020,[http://www.whtc.co.uk/124/governors Wembley High Technology Governors List] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309231858/http://www.whtc.co.uk/124/governors |date=9 March 2016}} 2016 (including Chair of Governors for some years), which Joanna and Daniel, attended.