John K. Downes

Who is John K. Downes?

John Kensington Downes was a politician in Manitoba, Canada. He served in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba from 1922 to 1927, as an independent member.

Born in Platt Bridge, Lancashire, England, he was educated at St. Mark’s College in London. Downes taught English and history at Diocesan College in Pretoria, South Africa, later returning to England and teaching in Suffolk and Somersetshire. In 1912, he moved to Winnipeg. Downes served with the 184th Battalion and later as an officer with the 11th Canadian Railway Corps during World War I. After the war, he worked for the Soldiers Settlement Board.

Downes's election to the Manitoba legislature occurred during a period of provincial controversy over the prohibition of alcohol. Although Downes was listed on the ballot as an independent candidate, he campaigned as a representative of the province's "Moderation League", supporting restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages. He called for beer to be sold only "by the glass" in licensed establishments for on-premise consumption, and opposed efforts to permit sales "by the bottle" for home consumption. It is not clear what views Downes held on other political issues.