Constituency : Stockport 1910-20
Spencer took over from James Duckworth at Stockport, coming in second behind Labour's George Wardle.
Spencer was the son of a Wesleyan minister. He started work as an engineer but soon switched to journalism. He wrote a regular column for The Morning Leader and built up a reputation as a political commentator known as S.L.H. He was vice-chair of the Institute of Journalists. He contested the Jarrow by-election in 1907 but came third after the Irish Parliamentary Party stood a candidate and Labour won the seat. He had similar problems in Bermondsey in 1909. He was chosen ahead of a local radical Alfred Salter who consequently stood as a Labour candidate and allowed the Tory to take the seat.
Spencer's maiden speech was an astute summation of the constitutional crisis
Spencer got ahead of Wardle to top the poll in December. Both men were returned unopposed as government supporters in 1918 though only Spencer received the coupon.
Spencer voted for conscription in 1915.
Spencer never held government office but was well-liked for his wit and way with words. Lloyd George described one intervention as "extraordinarily brilliant". He was a much in demand after dinner speaker. Despite this he only made 12 interventions in the Commons.
He died in 1920 after suffering a stroke at a speaking engagement in Lancashire, aged 61.
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