 He won a seat as a Unionist MP 1908–1910 for the East End constituency of Haggerston (previously held by the Liberals) in a 1908 by-election.He lost the seat in 1910, and from 1912 to 1927 was MP for Southend.He served as a captain in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and was commanding officer of HMS "President" (London Division RNVR) from 1903 until 1920.