Ernest Pickering (politician)

Ernest Harold Pickering (1881 – 31 January 1957) was a British Liberal Member of Parliament for the Leicester West constituency. He was also Professor of English Literature at Tokyo University.

Pickering

Background

He was born in Leicester.

Professional career

Pickering was a Unitarian Minister. He was author of A Brief Survey of English Literature. He was Professor of English at Yamagata, Koto Gakko, Japan.[1] He was Professor of English Literature at Tokyo University.

Political career

He was Liberal candidate for the Leicester West division at the 1931 General Election. Following the formation of the National Government, the Conservatives and Liberals agreed not to oppose each other in Leicester and as part of that arrangement, Pickering was given a free run against his Labour opponent. He managed to gain the seat. In parliament, Pickering took the official Liberal whip and sat on the government benches until the Liberal Party moved into opposition in 1933. He did not defend his seat at the 1935 General Election. He did not contest the 1945 General Election. He was Liberal candidate for the Newark division of Nottinghamshire at the 1950 General Election. He did not stand for parliament again.[2]

Electoral record
General election 1931: Leicester West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Ernest Harold Pickering 26,826 67.49
Labour Frederick Pethick-Lawrence 12,923 32.51
Majority 13,903 34.98
Turnout 74.64
Liberal gain from Labour Swing
General election 1950: Newark
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George Deer 28,959 54.20
Conservative Sidney Shephard 21,522 40.28
Liberal Ernest Harold Pickering 2,950 5.52
Majority 7,437 13.92
Turnout 88.08
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

References
  1. The Times House of Commons, 1931
  2. British parliamentary election results 1950-1973, Craig, F.W.S.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Frederick Pethick-Lawrence		 Member of Parliament for Leicester West
1931–1935		 Succeeded by
Harold Nicolson
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