Constituency : Camborne 1895-1900 ( Liberal Unionist ) Paddington North 1910-18 ( Conservative )
Arthur took Camborne for the Liberal Unionists , unseating Charles Conybeare at the second attempt.
Arthur was born in Germany, the son of a Jewish merchant. He was educated at a German university then moved to London , becoming a naturalised citizen in 1884. He ran a successful metals business with his brother.
In 1900 Arthur was defeated by William Caine and also lost the by-election when Caine died in 1903 , being defeated by the veteran Wilfrid Lawson.
In 1906 Arthur accepted an invitation to become the Conservative candidate for Paddington North. Because his Liberal opponent Leo Money had an Italian background a local committee of objectors to foreign candidates was formed and put forward an Independent Unionist candidate , handing the seat to Money. In January 1910, the League of Patriotic Electors of North Paddington were prevailed upon not to field a candidate and Arthur was able to win the seat. He held it against a different opponent in December 1910.
In 1914 Arthur was called on to resign his seat as "a native of Germany". He refused but was repudiated by the Conservative party.
In 1918 Arthur fought the seat as an "Independent Labour" candidate and came sixth with less than a thousand votes. He subsequently joined the Labour candidate.
Arthur played chess for the Commons against the US Congress team.
He died in 1920 aged 73. His son George became a long serving Labour MP.
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