At the turn of the 19th century Sheffield was represented by Liberal and occasionally Conservative Members of Parliament. This was to change in the early years of the 20th century when the emerging Labour Party began to take support from the Liberals. As the century progressed and everyone over the age of 21 became eligible to vote, Labour Party support in the city was assured.
Sheffield’s first Labour MP, Joseph Pointer, was elected in 1909 in the Attercliffe by-election. By that date there were almost 30 Labour Members of Parliament.