In 1904, following the death of the Gateshead Liberal MP, William Allan, Johnson, though a member of the Independent Labour Party, was selected as Liberal candidate to defend the predominantly mining seat at a by-election. He won the election and joined the Liberal-Labour trade union group, as a miners union sponsored MP.
In 1906 he was re-elected at the General Election.
In 1909, when the Miners Federation of Great Britain affiliated to the Labour party he was required to cross the floor to sit as a Labour MP. He was also required to seek re-election at the next general election as a Labour candidate.
In 1910, he contested the January General Election as a Labour candidate but was opposed by a Liberal candidate, Harold Elverston. Johnson was a supporter of the Coal Mines Regulation Act 1908 (8 Edw. 7. c. 57) – the 'Eight Hours Act' – which brought him opposition from many miners in Gateshead.[1] Johnson finished in third place as the Liberals re-gained the seat.
He died in December 1910 at the age of 60 in Durham, England.[2]
