Ernest Spero
(George) Ernest Spero (2 March 1894 – 7 January 1960) was a British physician, author, journalist, businessman and politician. He served as a surgeon in the Royal Navy in the First World War, subsequently travelling around the world twice.[1][2]
Following the war, Spero became active in politics. He contested the seat of Leicester West for the Liberal Party at the 1922 general election but failed to be elected.[1][3]
In 1923 he was selected as the party's candidate to contest Stoke Newington at the general election. The sitting Conservative MP, George Jones, was seen as being safe. Spero, who was also supported by local Labour activists, ran a campaign seeking the votes of ex-servicemen, with the slogan "We were comrades during the war. Let us be pals in peace".[1] He was successful, unexpectedly unseating the "impregnable" incumbent member.[4] A further general election was held in the following year and the situation was reversed: Jones regained the seat, which he was to hold until 1945.[5]
In 1925 he joined the Labour Party. At the 1929 general election he was the party's candidate for the Fulham West constituency, and won the seat in a three-cornered contest against Conservative and Liberal opponents.[2]
On 9 April 1930 he informed his local Labour party that he was resigning from parliament through appointment as Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, citing ill health.[5][6]
In May 1930 the reason for his resignation became clear when judgement was given against him in the High Court. Spero had owned a radio set manufacturing business which he had sold in February 1929. The business had been in debt, which he had given a personal guarantee to clear. He did this by issuing unauthorised company cheques to cover the amount which were not honoured. Spero did not attend the case, and evidence was given that he had in fact fled to the United States in January 1930. The court found that Spero was liable to pay over £10,000 to the plaintiffs.[7] In June of the same year a bankruptcy petition was lodged against him.[8] Spero again failed to appear in court, and he was declared bankrupt on 6 August, with his estate placed in the hands of a trustee.[9]
References
- 1 2 3 "London Boroughs". The Times. 24 November 1923. p. 14.
- 1 2 "Household Words. Fulham Candidates As Old Friends.". The Times. 23 May 1929. p. 7.
- ↑ "Cooperation At Leicester. No "Fratricidal" Contests.". The Times. 2 November 1922. p. 14.
- ↑ "North London. Unexpected Liberal Victories.". The Times. 8 December 1923. p. 11.
- 1 2 Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 18, 54. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
- ↑ "Resignation Of An M.P. By-Election At West Fulham". The Times. 12 April 1930. p. 12.
- ↑ "High Court Of Justice King's Bench Division Claim Against A Former M.P., Truphonic Radio, Limited v. Spero. Same v. Same". The Times. 31 May 1930. p. 4.
- ↑ The London Gazette: no. 33622. p. 4236. 4 July 1930.
- ↑ "An Ex-M.P.'S Affairs". The Times. 7 August 1930. p. 7.
External links
- Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by George Spero
| Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by George Jones |
Member of Parliament for Stoke Newington 1923–1924 |
Succeeded by George Jones |
| Preceded by Sir Cyril Cobb |
Member of Parliament for Fulham West 1929–1930 |
Succeeded by Sir Cyril Cobb |