18 Facts About Ko Suurhoff

Jacobus Gerardus "Ko" Suurhoff was a Dutch politician of the defunct Social Democratic Workers' Party and co-founder of the Labour Party and trade union leader.

Ko Suurhoff attended a Lyceum in Amsterdam from May 1917 until July 1920.

Ko Suurhoff worked as a clerk for the Netherlands Steamship Company from July 1920 until December 1924.

Ko Suurhoff was conscripted in the Royal Netherlands Army serving in the infantry Johan Willem Friso Regiment as a staff sergeant from January 1925 until October 1927.

Ko Suurhoff worked as an accountant for the trading company Ceteco from October 1927 until April 1930.

Ko Suurhoff worked as a trade union leader for the Dutch Trade Unions association from April 1930 until May 1940.

Ko Suurhoff served on the Municipal Council of Amsterdam from June 1939 until February 1941.

Ko Suurhoff became a Member of the House of Representatives after Willem Albarda was appointed as Minister of Water Management in the Cabinet De Geer II, taking office on 21 September 1939 serving as a backbencher.

On 4 May 1942 Ko Suurhoff was arrested by the Gestapo and detained in Kamp Sint-Michielsgestel and was released on 21 June 1943.

Ko Suurhoff again served on the Municipal Council of Amsterdam from June 1945 until October 1946.

Ko Suurhoff was one of the co-founders and became one of the unofficial Deputy Leaders of the Labour Party.

Ko Suurhoff again worked as a trade union leader for the Dutch Trade Unions association from June 1946 until September 1952 serving as General-Secretary of the Executive Board from August 1949 until September 1952.

Ko Suurhoff returned as a Member of the House of Representatives following the resignation of Jo Stokvis, taking office on 24 October 1946 serving as a frontbencher and spokesperson for Social Affairs.

Ko Suurhoff served as acting Minister of the Interior from 13 October 1956 until 29 October 1956 until the appointment of Teun Struycken who had served as Governor of the Netherlands Antilles.

Ko Suurhoff served as Chairman of the Labour Party from 24 March 1961 until 14 April 1965.

On 27 February 1965 the Cabinet Marijnen fell and continued to serve in a demissionary capacity until the cabinet formation of 1965 when it was replaced with the Cabinet Cals with Ko Suurhoff appointed as Minister of Transport and Water Management, taking office on 14 April 1965.

Ko Suurhoff took a medical leave of absence from 1 May 1966 until 30 June 1966 during which Minister of Housing and Spatial Planning Pieter Bogaers served as acting Minister of Transport and Water Management.

Ko Suurhoff was known for his abilities as a debater and manager.