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The Strange casE of Edward HEmmerde E. G. Hemmerde was Liberal MP for East Denbighshire from 1906 to 1910, and for North-West Norfolk from 1912 to 1918, and then Labour MP for Crewe from 1922 to 1924. His political career was dogged by controversy, both over the state of his finances and through his dedication to his other career – as a successful lawyer, who held the post of Recorder of Liverpool for four decades. David Dutton traces the strange story of Edward Hemmerde. 6 Journal of Liberal History 69 Winter 2010–11 The Strange casE of Edward HEmmerde n 22 November was bound to cause, none the less parliamentary candidate for the 1910, in the midst of insisted that ‘we live in days of constituency. Now he had the the second general crisis and we want our best men privilege, ‘but certainly not the election campaign to lead our people where the fight pleasure’, of occupying the chair of that year, it was is most strenuous’.3 It was a dif- as Wrexham Liberals said their Oannounced in the press that E. G. ficult request to resist. good-byes to Hemmerde as their Hemmerde, the sitting Liberal Hemmerde had made his Member of Parliament and sent MP for East Denbighshire, would intentions known to a meeting him forth ‘to one of the biggest not, in fact, be defending his seat. of the East Denbighshire Lib- fights in the country’. Amidst As the political correspondent eral Party’s executive committee concerted cries of ‘for he’s a jolly of the Liverpool Daily Post noted, on 21 November. A resolution good fellow’, Hemmerde took his the decision had been taken in was hastily passed unanimously leave setting out for the railway deference to the urgent repre- expressing the committee’s station and an uncertain electoral sentations of the party’s Chief ‘deep regret’ at the prospect future in Portsmouth.4 Whip, the Master of Elibank, and of losing their candidate but at Yet this public display of local ‘members of the party even more the same time congratulating Liberal unity and comradeship in prominent’ that such a talented him on having been selected the face of the broader needs of campaigner should not be wasted for such an important mission. the national party bore little rela- in defending a safe seat.1 Instead, ‘We tender to Mr Hemmerde tion to the reality of Hemmerde’s in what was expected nationally our most cordial thanks for the chequered career as East Den- to be a close contest,2 Hemmerde great services which he has ren- bighshire’s MP, which had been would transfer his attention to dered to East Denbighshire, and mired in controversy and dispute Portsmouth, one of the Liberal wish him every good luck in his from the start. After unsuccess- Party’s key target seats, which courageous undertaking.’ That fully contesting Shrewsbury for was currently held by the Union- evening the news was broken the Liberals in the general elec- ist frontbencher Lord Charles to a meeting of the party faith- tion of January 1906, Hemmerde Beresford. The latter’s alleged ful and, two days later, a farewell shifted his attention to East Den- scaremongering about the dan- reception was held at the Drill bighshire only a few months later gers of invasion facing the coun- Hall, Wrexham, presided over when the sitting Liberal mem- try had made him a particular by Alderman Edward Hughes, ber, Samuel Moss, was obliged bête noire of the Liberal govern- chairman of the local Liberal Par- Edward to resign following his appoint- ment. Elibank, recognising the ty’s finance committee. Hughes Hemmerde ment as a county court judge. ‘ties of comradeship and friend- recalled that, four years earlier, (1871–1948) Even before his selection as can- ship’ that bound Hemmerde to it had been his privilege and as Recorder of didate for the division, Hem- the local Liberal Association, pleasure to preside over the first Liverpool and merde showed that he was not and acknowledging the incon- meeting which Hemmerde had leader of the going to impede his own career venience which his intervention held in Wrexham as prospective Northern Circuit aspirations by an over-scrupulous Journal of Liberal History 69 Winter 2010–11 7 the strange casE of edward hemmerde adherence to prevailing conven- constituency and elsewhere.8 To it was not that Hughes could use his influ- tions and norms. While the other the electors of East Denbigh- ence to avoid an actual contest. Liberal hopefuls, responding shire Hemmerde presented him- long before At thirty-seven he was about to the expressed wishes of local self as ‘an advanced democrat, in fifteen years younger than any party officials, refrained from sympathy with both Liberal and Hemmerde previous holder of this post, and holding any public meetings in Labour Parties and believing that friends confidently predicted that the constituency, Hemmerde was the Liberal Party can best serve showed he was now well placed to ‘break already ‘quite as active as though the nation’s interests by pressing other records’.13 But Hemmerde’s he were in the thick of the con- forward those reforms which the signs that his advancing legal career merely test’, arguing that the Liberal Labour Party demands, and has a served to bring to a head mount- Association had no right to issue right to demand’.9 To the pleasure responsibili- ing tensions in his relationship an edict banning such gather- of many of his new constituents ties as an MP with his constituency. Feeling ings.5 When the Liberal selection he also supported home rule for was growing among local Lib- process was reduced to a final Wales. would not be eral activists that Hemmerde was choice between two hopefuls, But it was not long before neglecting the routine, but nec- Hemmerde again caused surprise Hemmerde showed signs that allowed to essary, duties of a constituency by circulating an open letter to his responsibilities as an MP member. For his part, the MP, the constituency’s electors in would not be allowed to stand stand in the like many others with no great which he warned them not to ‘be in the way of his legal career. In wealth to fall back on, had a clear governed by Wrexham wirepull- August 1907 he went to Jamaica way of his (and strictly limited) percep- ers’.6 It was even reported as ‘an and, after being called to the Bar tion of what could be expected unpleasant rumour’ that, if not there, appeared in a series of cases legal career. of an unpaid MP who also had chosen as Liberal candidate, against insurance companies aris- to earn his living. He was, not Hemmerde intended to stand as ing out of a famous earthquake surprisingly, a declared advo- an independent Labour candi- fire. His letter at this time to cate of the payment of members date. In a constituency where Edward Hughes must have caused to make ‘Parliament open to all the retiring MP had presented the latter some concern: men regardless of their wealth’.14 himself, at the recent general A letter to Hughes in June 1908 election, under the terms of the I shall rely upon you to keep defined Hemmerde’s position MacDonald–Gladstone Pact of things turning in E[ast] with brutal clarity: 1903, as a joint Liberal–Labour D[enbighshire] while I am rak- nominee, such a prospect opened ing in the fees out here, and I foresee difficulties of the up the possibility of a Conserva- endeavouring to make a big gravest character unless you tive by-election victory on a reputation which may take me and my other friends will real- minority vote.7 In the event, with a long [way] towards being a ise what my position in London the backing of Edward Hughes, K. C.10 is. It is absolutely impossible for Hemmerde duly secured selec- me to leave my business in the tion and went on to defeat his Hemmerde won his cases and middle of a week and attend Conservative opponent. also successfully contended the meetings or Eisteddfods. I Notwithstanding the cir- Appeal case in the Privy Council, should be ruined if I did. I say cumstances of his selection, East as a result of which the companies this because there is a constant Denbighshire Liberals seemed to paid out about £700,000 in claims under current of dissatisfaction have good reason to congratulate and £75,000 in costs.11 The young at my not being present on this themselves on securing the serv- barrister could not conceal his joy: or that ceremonial or political ices of a talented parliamentary occasion … It is quite obvious representative, one who could I have had the most wonderful that you yourself have no idea look forward to a distinguished success: have smashed up the of the strain upon a busy bar- career. Born in Peckham in 1871 opposition at every point of the rister. You constantly suggest and educated at Winchester and game, have netted £3500 and my presence at functions which University College, Oxford, expect to double that before are nothing to do with serious where he took a first in Classi- May, have applied to the Lord political work.15 cal Moderations in 1892 before Chancellor for silk, and have graduating with a B.C.L. (Bach- generally covered myself with For the first time Hemmerde elor in Civil Law) in 1896, Hem- glory.12 even hinted that he might, with merde had already embarked regret, be forced to seek another upon a career at the bar.

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