Constituency : Birmingham Central 1889-95 ( Liberal Unionist ) , Oldham 1906-10
John succeeded his illustrious father on his death in 1889. John had been happy to stay in the family business and had no great political ambitions but was persuaded to stand by Joseph Chamberlain who did not want to cede another seat in the city to the Conservatives. Some local Tories were outraged by Salisbury's decision to back Chamberlain. John easily prevailed over a Gladstonian candidate.
John's maiden speech was in favour of allowing marriage to a deceased wife's sister.
John was never allowed to feel comfortable by the local Conservatives particularly their chief wirepuller Satchell Hopkins and threatened to resign just months after his election.
John stood down in 1895 and gradually moved back towards the main party. he inherited his father's pacifist views and strongly opposed the Boer War. He stood for the Liberals in Montgomery Boroughs in 1900 then was elected as MP for Oldham in 1906.
John did good work on the committee discussing the Children Act of 1908.
John retired at the January 1910 election.
He died in 1924 aged 76.
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