James Keir Hardie ( 15 August 1856 - 26 September 1915 ) was a Scottish socialist and labor leader , and was the first independent labor Member of Parliament ( MPs ) in the UK Parliament , seven years before the start of the Labor Party . James Keir Hardie , Sr. ( 15 August 1856-26 September 1915 ) , best known as Keir Hardie , was a Scottish socialist and labor leader , and was the first Independent Labor Member of Parliament elected to the Parliament of the United Kingdom .