 He was a helmsman of "Shamrock V" 1934-35 and was in the British America's Cup team in 1949 and 1953.Bennett contested Woolwich East at the 1937 London County Council election, and the equivalent seat at the 1945 United Kingdom general election, but was not elected.He was Member of Parliament for Gosport and Fareham from 1950 to 1974, and after boundary changes, for Fareham from 1974 to 1979.