Arthur Hunnable
Encyclopedia
Arthur Hunnable often known as Captain Hunnable, was a British
poet
and minor fraudster, best known for his frequent but unsuccessful attempts to become a candidate for election to Parliament.
Living in Ilford
, Hunnable worked as a bicycle and tool maker and motor engineer until March 1907. He first came to public attention at the Jarrow by-election that summer, before which he spoke widely in the town, announcing that he intended to stand as a candidate. He was nominated, but failed to deliver a £200 deposit
, as required, and despite his protests, was not permitted to stand. Despite this, he continued to give popular speeches, and the Mayor of Jarrow
declared that "he keeps the young and the rough element amused". Following the election, Hunnable appeared at the Empire Music Hall in Holborn
in a skit reliving parts of his campaign. After a week, he quit, to speak in the run-up to the Colne Valley by-election, then moved on to the North West Staffordshire by-election. However, he did not attempt to stand, announcing that he had decided to stand at Jarrow in the next general election. He proved less popular in Staffordshire, and was fined for causing an obstruction in Hanley
Market Square, and describing any heckler
s as "dirty little tykes". Unable to pay the £3 demanded, he was imprisoned for a month, but was released after three days, a public subscription having raised the sum.
Hunnable next tried to stand at the Kirkdale by-election, but announced immediately before nominations closed that all twelve of his nomination papers had been incorrectly completed, so he could not continue with his candidacy. He also spoke at the Peckham by-election, 1908
, and at the North West Manchester by-election, he spoke in favour of the Conservative Party
candidate William Joynson-Hicks. During the election, a carriage in which he was riding, decked out in the Conservative colours, ran into a crowd of Liberal Party
supporters, and the vehicle was overturned before he made his escape.
Hunnable was known for his flamboyant style, sometimes bowing from his carriage to imaginary cheers, and lively meetings - he claimed by the end of 1909 to have given a "good hiding" to thirty-seven hecklers. He frequently employed poetry, which was widely considered of a low standard. He claimed to have schemes which would make the fortunes of those who voted for him, introduce a £2 minimum wage
, reform the British Empire
. At Attercliffe in 1909, he claimed that he would be forming a government within five years. He wore a frock coat
, kid boots
with pointed toes and a wide-awake hat.
In May 1908, Hunnable was fined £3, a guinea and costs for unlawfully leaving a donkey and cart in Romford Market
and then assaulting a market employee. This did not stop him from appearing at the Wolverhampton East by-election, and speaking in Manchester
on the topic of the "Social Reform Progress League" which he had supposedly founded. He announced that he would run in the Pudsey by-election
, but again failed to stand. In August, he was gaoled for five weeks for failing to pay the fines imposed in May.
Hunnable re-emerged at the Sheffield Attercliffe by-election, 1909
, at which he met with independent Conservative candidate Arnold Muir Wilson
, but decided against supporting him until he divined a horoscope
stating that Muir Wilson would win. At the end of the summer, he spoke on the beach at Blackpool
, but was fined 10 shillings for knocking out a heckler. The press gradually lost interest in his activities, but by 1913, when he was fined for failing to send his daughter to school, he was the editor of his own newspaper, the People's Parliament. He moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he claimed to have invented an unsinkable ship and a new form of airship
. He attempted to stand as an independent labour candidate in Jarrow
at the 1918 UK general election. In 1921, he was again gaoled, this time for fraud, having purchased a bicycle with a worthless cheque.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and minor fraudster, best known for his frequent but unsuccessful attempts to become a candidate for election to Parliament.
Living in Ilford
Ilford
Ilford is a large cosmopolitan town in East London, England and the administrative headquarters of the London Borough of Redbridge. It is located northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It forms a significant commercial and retail...
, Hunnable worked as a bicycle and tool maker and motor engineer until March 1907. He first came to public attention at the Jarrow by-election that summer, before which he spoke widely in the town, announcing that he intended to stand as a candidate. He was nominated, but failed to deliver a £200 deposit
Deposit (politics)
A deposit is a sum of money that a candidate must pay in return for the right to stand for election to certain political offices, particularly seats in legislatures.-United Kingdom:...
, as required, and despite his protests, was not permitted to stand. Despite this, he continued to give popular speeches, and the Mayor of Jarrow
Jarrow
Jarrow is a town in Tyne and Wear, England, located on the River Tyne, with a population of 27,526. From the middle of the 19th century until 1935, Jarrow was a centre for shipbuilding, and was the starting point of the Jarrow March against unemployment in 1936.-Foundation:The Angles re-occupied...
declared that "he keeps the young and the rough element amused". Following the election, Hunnable appeared at the Empire Music Hall in Holborn
Holborn
Holborn is an area of Central London. Holborn is also the name of the area's principal east-west street, running as High Holborn from St Giles's High Street to Gray's Inn Road and then on to Holborn Viaduct...
in a skit reliving parts of his campaign. After a week, he quit, to speak in the run-up to the Colne Valley by-election, then moved on to the North West Staffordshire by-election. However, he did not attempt to stand, announcing that he had decided to stand at Jarrow in the next general election. He proved less popular in Staffordshire, and was fined for causing an obstruction in Hanley
Hanley
Hanley, in Staffordshire, England, is one of the six major towns that joined together to form the city of Stoke-on-Trent in 1910. Hanley was the only one of the six towns to be a county borough before the merger; its status was transferred to the enlarged borough...
Market Square, and describing any heckler
Heckler
A heckler is a person who harass and try to disconcert others with questions, challenges, or gibes.Hecklers are often known to shout disparaging comments at a performance or event, or interrupts set-piece speeches, for example at a political meeting, with intent to disturb its performers or...
s as "dirty little tykes". Unable to pay the £3 demanded, he was imprisoned for a month, but was released after three days, a public subscription having raised the sum.
Hunnable next tried to stand at the Kirkdale by-election, but announced immediately before nominations closed that all twelve of his nomination papers had been incorrectly completed, so he could not continue with his candidacy. He also spoke at the Peckham by-election, 1908
Peckham by-election, 1908
The Peckham by-election, 1908 was a parliamentary by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Peckham in the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell, London on 24 March 1908...
, and at the North West Manchester by-election, he spoke in favour of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
candidate William Joynson-Hicks. During the election, a carriage in which he was riding, decked out in the Conservative colours, ran into a crowd of Liberal Party
Liberal Party (UK)
The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day...
supporters, and the vehicle was overturned before he made his escape.
Hunnable was known for his flamboyant style, sometimes bowing from his carriage to imaginary cheers, and lively meetings - he claimed by the end of 1909 to have given a "good hiding" to thirty-seven hecklers. He frequently employed poetry, which was widely considered of a low standard. He claimed to have schemes which would make the fortunes of those who voted for him, introduce a £2 minimum wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
, reform the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. At Attercliffe in 1909, he claimed that he would be forming a government within five years. He wore a frock coat
Frock coat
A frock coat is a man's coat characterised by knee-length skirts all around the base, popular during the Victorian and Edwardian periods. The double-breasted style is sometimes called a Prince Albert . The frock coat is a fitted, long-sleeved coat with a centre vent at the back, and some features...
, kid boots
Kid Boots
Kid Boots is a musical with a book by William Anthony McGuire and Otto Harbach, music by Harry Tierney, and lyrics by Joseph McCarthy. The show was staged by Edward Royce....
with pointed toes and a wide-awake hat.
In May 1908, Hunnable was fined £3, a guinea and costs for unlawfully leaving a donkey and cart in Romford Market
Romford Market
Romford Market is a large open market with 270 stalls, located in Romford, London Borough of Havering, east London, England. The market is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm...
and then assaulting a market employee. This did not stop him from appearing at the Wolverhampton East by-election, and speaking in Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
on the topic of the "Social Reform Progress League" which he had supposedly founded. He announced that he would run in the Pudsey by-election
Pudsey by-election, 1908
The Member of Parliament for Pudsey, the Rt. Hon. George Whiteley resigned from Parliament by accepting appointment as Steward of the Manor of Northstead, resulting in a by-election in the constituency....
, but again failed to stand. In August, he was gaoled for five weeks for failing to pay the fines imposed in May.
Hunnable re-emerged at the Sheffield Attercliffe by-election, 1909
Sheffield Attercliffe by-election, 1909
A by-election was held for the British House of Commons constituency of Sheffield Attercliffe on 4 May 1909.-Background:The election was caused by the resignation of J. Batty Langley, due to long-term ill health. He had been the Liberal Party Member of Parliament for the seat since an 1894...
, at which he met with independent Conservative candidate Arnold Muir Wilson
Arnold Muir Wilson
Arnold Muir Wilson was a British solicitor and politician.Born in Sheffield, Wilson studied in Germany before becoming a solicitor based at Clifford's Inn. He built up a large practice in Sheffield, usually representing the defence at the Police Court, against Arthur Neal...
, but decided against supporting him until he divined a horoscope
Horoscope
In astrology, a horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, the astrological aspects, and sensitive angles at the time of an event, such as the moment of a person's birth. The word horoscope is derived from Greek words meaning "a look at the hours" In...
stating that Muir Wilson would win. At the end of the summer, he spoke on the beach at Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
, but was fined 10 shillings for knocking out a heckler. The press gradually lost interest in his activities, but by 1913, when he was fined for failing to send his daughter to school, he was the editor of his own newspaper, the People's Parliament. He moved to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where he claimed to have invented an unsinkable ship and a new form of airship
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
. He attempted to stand as an independent labour candidate in Jarrow
Jarrow (UK Parliament constituency)
Jarrow is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first-past-the-post system of election.-Boundaries:...
at the 1918 UK general election. In 1921, he was again gaoled, this time for fraud, having purchased a bicycle with a worthless cheque.