Beddoe Rees - Liberal Candidate in Cannock

Liberal Candidate in Cannock

Rees first stood for Parliament as a Liberal at the 1918 general election in Cannock, Staffordshire. His opponent was the sitting MP and former Chief Whip of the Labour Party in the wartime coalition government, James Parker. Despite Labour having withdrawn from the Coalition to fight the election as an independent party, Parker announced that he was to remain at his post and would fight the election as Coalition candidate. Parker was the only Labour man to support the Coalition in the election and in some reports was described as a Liberal, although it is not completely clear if received the government Coupon. After the election however he retained his job as a government whip being appointed one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury.