Early Political Career
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1922–1925 | 21st | Auckland East | Labour | |
| 1925–1928 | 22nd | Auckland East | Labour | |
| 1931–1935 | 24th | Grey Lynn | Labour | |
| 1935–1938 | 25th | Grey Lynn | Labour | |
| 1938–1940 | 26th | Grey Lynn | Labour | |
| 1940–1943 | Changed allegiance to: | style="font-size:smaller; white-space:nowrap; background: Template:Democratic Labour Party (New Zealand)/meta/shading" | Democratic Labour | ||
Not long after returning home, Lee became active in the Labour Party. Lee had been a committed socialist for some time, having read a large amount of Marxist literature over the years. He is said to have heard the speeches of Bob Semple and Harry Scott Bennett through the bars of his jail cell, and in the army, he had been known as "Bolshie Lee" for his views. Lee's status as a veteran was considered valuable by the Labour Party, as the party's anti-conscription stance had caused many to brand it unpatriotic — Lee, a decorated and wounded soldier, was able to counter this perception quite effectively. By 1920, Lee was on the Labour Party's national executive.
In 1921, Lee contested a by-election in the Auckland East electorate, but was defeated by Clutha Mackenzie. In the 1922 general election, however, he stood again and was elected. He soon became one of the better known Members of Parliament, noted for his powerful oratory and strong views. He also played a considerable role in the Labour Party's internal policy formulation, where he had a strong interest in foreign affairs, defence and economics.
Lee was re-elected in the 1925 election with a majority of 750, but, because of boundary changes, was narrowly defeated (by 37 votes) in the 1928 election. Lee then took a job managing the Palace Hotel in Rotorua (though he did not drink) for Ernest Davis.
In the 1931 election, Lee won the electorate of Grey Lynn, having controversially defeated another former MP, Fred Bartram, for the Labour nomination. The major political issue of the day was the Great Depression, and Lee played a significant role in the formulation of Labour's economic policies. Lee also wrote his first novel, Children of the Poor — the book was largely autobiographical, and was a considerable success. The book argued that poverty generated crime and vice, and that only a socialist program could solve society's problems. In the early 1930s Lee served on the Auckland Rugby League's board and later served as chairman.
Read more about this topic: John A. Lee
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