Bernard Sullivan

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Bernard Sullivan (1886–1957) was a British trade unionist and politician on London County Council. Born in Leeds, he worked as a garment cutter and dress designer. He joined the Labour Representation Committee early on and chaired the New Wortley LRC in 1904–05, and he was part of an early version of the United Garment Workers' Trade Union. He served in the West Yorkshire Regiment during World War I and returned to the clothing industry afterward. In 1920 the National Union of Tailors and Garment Workers was formed, and he became its full-time London District Secretary. He also sat on several wage and industry councils and on the London Trades Council.

Initially seen as a radical, he was a member of the Friends of Soviet Russia and supported striking workers in the Rego dispute in 1928. Unlike some colleagues, he did not join the split to form the United Clothing Workers' Union. During the Spanish Civil War, he supported the Republicans. He helped found the Association of Catholic Trade Unionists and was active in Catholic Action, arguing for Catholic schooling during debates on the Education Act 1944.

A Labour Party supporter, he was elected to represent Greenwich on the London County Council in 1937. He served as vice-chairman of the council in 1949–50, worked as chief whip, and chaired the Public Assistance Committee and the Rivers and Mains Committee. He retired in 1952 and died five years later.