speakman supported the labour party, and was elected to deptford metropolitan borough council in 1909. he served until 1919, when he was elected to represent deptford at the 1919 london county council election. he lost the seat in 1922, but was re-elected to the borough council, then at the 1925 london county council election regained his county council seat. in 1932/33, he served as mayor of deptford.