Edwin Wainwright (12 August 1908 – 22 January 1998)^[1] was a British Labour Party politician who served as Member of Parliament (MP) for Dearne Valley from 1959 to 1983, when the seat was abolished in boundary changes.

On 12 August 1908, Wainwright was born in New Scarborough, Wombwell.^[2][3] His father, John Wainwright, was a miner at Darfield Main Colliery and served as chairman of the local National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) branch.^[3]

Wainwright was educated at Darfield Council School, before working at Darfield Main as a haulage hand at the age of 14.^[3][2]

In 1934, Wainwright was elected to the committee of the Darfield Main NUM branch.^[3] He was elected branch delegate in 1939, and branch secretary in 1948.^[3] In 1952, he began serving as a member of the NUM national executive.^[3] He also served as a committee member to the Darfield Main branch of the Yorkshire Miners' Association during the 1930s, as well as secretary of the mine's Check-Weigh Fund.^[4]

In August 1959, the Dearne Valley Division Labour Party considered Wainwright one of two possible choices to replace Wilfred Paling as their parliamentary candidate.^[7] As a miner and NUM representative, he had the backing of the local colliery workers.^[8] He was selected as the candidate on 13 September, defeating Dr. Donald Higgins, who had been secretary of Wath Labour Party since 1937.^[9]

In October 1959, Wainwright was elected Member of Parliament for Dearne Valley over David Stewart Willisley Blacker, the Conservative Party candidate. He increased the party's majority to 27,883 votes.^[10]

In June 1938, Wainwright married Dorothy Metcalfe in Wombwell.^[12] They had two sons (Tony and John) and two daughters (Sheila and Susan).^[3] Wainwright died on 22 January 1998 in Wombwell.^[2]

During the 1930s, Wainwright played for Wombwell Station Road F.C. and served as secretary for the club.^[12]

In 1957, Wainwright was awarded a British Empire Medal in the New Year Honours.^[3]