Edward Doran
Encyclopedia
Edward Doran was a British
film producer and politician who served as a Conservative
Member of Parliament
. He was known for his populism and for summing up his arguments in emotive phraseology. His reaction to the arrival of Jewish refugees verged on antisemitism and he hosted Hitler's representative at the House of Commons; however his alleged neglect of his constituency caused difficulties and he was defeated for re-election after a single term.
, Lancashire
in 1885, although his year of birth is given inaccurately as 1892 in some sources, including Who's Who
.
He was educated at St Mary's School in Failsworth, and at Manchester Grammar School
. During the First World War, he enlisted in the Empire Battalion of the Royal Engineers
; in January 1916, as a Corporal he claimed a world record for individual recruiting, having secured 8,700 recruits in the space of eleven months in London. First working on the railways, he later moved into the film industry, and later gave his occupation as film producer. Doran was an experienced traveller in Canada and the USA and gave lectures on life in North America, and on the history of the western United States.
when he fought the Silvertown division
. Doran described himself as a "Constitutionalist", although he was included as a Conservative and Unionist in contemporary lists of candidates. As Silvertown had a large Labour majority he was thought to be up against heavy odds and his main hope was to reduce the majority rather than win the seat. He ended up trailing badly with only 3,702 votes while the re-elected Labour MP had nearly 16,000.
As a member of the Primrose League
, Doran was lead speaker in support of the British Empire in a debate on "Communism v Imperialism" held at Speakers' Corner
on 7 March 1926, arguing that the Empire had been built up on the spirit of liberty and gave British people more freedom than any other nation.
, Doran fought as a Conservative in Tottenham North
, which had a Labour majority of 9,653 at the previous election. After a 'gallant challenge', Doran won the seat by a majority of 4,521. Early in his Parliamentary career he pressed for relaxations in the licensing laws in order to help British holiday resorts, and as a followup pressed for more licensed victuallers to be appointed as licensing magistrates. He also advocated that the Sunday Observance Acts should be abolished, and supported the rejection of a Bill which would have given local authorities the power to prohibit dog racing.
in the name of 'The Liberator Group' at which Adolf Hitler
's representative in London spoke on "the true meaning of Germany's attitude towards the Jews". On 25 May he put down a written question asking for the number of registered moneylenders and their nationality; and in December 1933 he was to be found demanding action against 3,000 "fraudulent bankrupts, who are mainly alien Jews". The historian Richard Griffiths summed up his attitude as being obsessed by questions relating to Jews which affected the working class.
, On 14 March he pressed in Parliament for a reduction in the grant to the BBC. In March 1935 he made a speech which drew much laughter, claiming that George Lansbury
had smuggled some of the Russian Crown Jewels to Britain in an attempt to raise funds for the Labour Party. On 11 April 1935, Doran (apparently working in concert with Major the hon. J.J. Stourton
) returned to the subject of Jewish refugees and asked for restrictions to stop people at ports supplying refugees with money so that they satisfied the requirements of the Aliens Act.
in Doran by 123 votes to 57, but in August the officers and executive committee of the association all resigned. Doran defended his conduct and decided to call a new meeting to appoint new officers.
, Doran was duly endorsed by the Conservatives to defend his seat. He argued in support of the protective tariffs imposed by the National Government, claiming that the factories built in Tottenham since the tariffs had practically cured the unemployment problem in the borough. However Doran lost the seat by over 8,000 votes. An antisemitic journal called "The Patriot" founded by the Duke of Northumberland
later ascribed Doran's loss of his seat to attacks made on him by Conservative Central Office
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film producer and politician who served as a Conservative
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
. He was known for his populism and for summing up his arguments in emotive phraseology. His reaction to the arrival of Jewish refugees verged on antisemitism and he hosted Hitler's representative at the House of Commons; however his alleged neglect of his constituency caused difficulties and he was defeated for re-election after a single term.
Early life
Doran was born in FailsworthFailsworth
At Failsworth lies north-northwest of London. It shares common boundaries with Manchester and Oldham, on its west and northeast respectively. Failsworth is traversed by the A62 road, from Manchester to Oldham, the heavy rail line of the Oldham Loop and the Rochdale Canal, which crosses the...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
in 1885, although his year of birth is given inaccurately as 1892 in some sources, including Who's Who
Who's Who (UK)
Who's Who is an annual British publication of biographies which vary in length of about 30,000 living notable Britons.-History:...
.
He was educated at St Mary's School in Failsworth, and at Manchester Grammar School
Manchester Grammar School
The Manchester Grammar School is the largest independent day school for boys in the UK . It is based in Manchester, England...
. During the First World War, he enlisted in the Empire Battalion of the Royal Engineers
Royal Engineers
The Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
; in January 1916, as a Corporal he claimed a world record for individual recruiting, having secured 8,700 recruits in the space of eleven months in London. First working on the railways, he later moved into the film industry, and later gave his occupation as film producer. Doran was an experienced traveller in Canada and the USA and gave lectures on life in North America, and on the history of the western United States.
Silvertown candidacy
His entry into politics came in the 1924 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1924
- Seats summary :- References :* F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987* - External links :* * *...
when he fought the Silvertown division
Silvertown (UK Parliament constituency)
Silvertown was a borough constituency returning a single Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom through the first-past-the-post voting system. The constituency was one of four divisions of the Parliamentary Borough of West Ham, which had at the time...
. Doran described himself as a "Constitutionalist", although he was included as a Conservative and Unionist in contemporary lists of candidates. As Silvertown had a large Labour majority he was thought to be up against heavy odds and his main hope was to reduce the majority rather than win the seat. He ended up trailing badly with only 3,702 votes while the re-elected Labour MP had nearly 16,000.
As a member of the Primrose League
Primrose League
The Primrose League was an organisation for spreading Conservative principles in Great Britain. It was founded in 1883 and active until the mid 1990s...
, Doran was lead speaker in support of the British Empire in a debate on "Communism v Imperialism" held at Speakers' Corner
Speakers' Corner
A Speakers' Corner is an area where open-air public speaking, debate and discussion are allowed. The original and most noted is in the north-east corner of Hyde Park in London, United Kingdom. Speakers there may speak on any subject, as long as the police consider their speeches lawful, although...
on 7 March 1926, arguing that the Empire had been built up on the spirit of liberty and gave British people more freedom than any other nation.
Entry to Parliament
At the 1931 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1931
The United Kingdom general election on Tuesday 27 October 1931 was the last in the United Kingdom not held on a Thursday. It was also the last election, and the only one under universal suffrage, where one party received an absolute majority of the votes cast.The 1931 general election was the...
, Doran fought as a Conservative in Tottenham North
Tottenham North (UK Parliament constituency)
Tottenham North was a parliamentary constituency centred on the Municipal Borough of Tottenham, in North London. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-History:...
, which had a Labour majority of 9,653 at the previous election. After a 'gallant challenge', Doran won the seat by a majority of 4,521. Early in his Parliamentary career he pressed for relaxations in the licensing laws in order to help British holiday resorts, and as a followup pressed for more licensed victuallers to be appointed as licensing magistrates. He also advocated that the Sunday Observance Acts should be abolished, and supported the rejection of a Bill which would have given local authorities the power to prohibit dog racing.
Jewish refugees
Doran became known for raising issues relating to Jews. On 9 March 1933, he asked the Home Secretary to prevent "any alien Jews entering this country from Germany". Having received a discouraging answer, he pressed again to stop "hundreds of thousands of Jews .. scurrying .. to this country", eventually adding that a British version of Hitler would arise if action was not taken. On 26 April, Doran hosted a meeting at the House of CommonsBritish House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
in the name of 'The Liberator Group' at which Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
's representative in London spoke on "the true meaning of Germany's attitude towards the Jews". On 25 May he put down a written question asking for the number of registered moneylenders and their nationality; and in December 1933 he was to be found demanding action against 3,000 "fraudulent bankrupts, who are mainly alien Jews". The historian Richard Griffiths summed up his attitude as being obsessed by questions relating to Jews which affected the working class.
Broadcasting policy
Another subject which interested Doran was broadcasting. He formed a committee to inquire into the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
, On 14 March he pressed in Parliament for a reduction in the grant to the BBC. In March 1935 he made a speech which drew much laughter, claiming that George Lansbury
George Lansbury
George Lansbury was a British politician, socialist, Christian pacifist and newspaper editor. He was a Member of Parliament from 1910 to 1912 and from 1922 to 1940, and leader of the Labour Party from 1932 to 1935....
had smuggled some of the Russian Crown Jewels to Britain in an attempt to raise funds for the Labour Party. On 11 April 1935, Doran (apparently working in concert with Major the hon. J.J. Stourton
John Stourton (politician)
The Honourable John Joseph Stourton was a British politician. He served as the Conservative Member of Parliament for Salford South from 1931 to 1945....
) returned to the subject of Jewish refugees and asked for restrictions to stop people at ports supplying refugees with money so that they satisfied the requirements of the Aliens Act.
Constituency difficulties
Doran's performance in Parliament and alleged neglect of his constituency caused concern among his constituency association and in August 1933 the association called a special meeting at which it was speculated they might have decided to adopt another candidate. The association gave Doran its backing, the Chairman telling the local paper that "any man who sided with the Jew persecution .. was a cad". The dispute re-emerged in the summer of 1935. A meeting on 22 July rejected a motion of no confidenceMotion of no confidence
A motion of no confidence is a parliamentary motion whose passing would demonstrate to the head of state that the elected parliament no longer has confidence in the appointed government.-Overview:Typically, when a parliament passes a vote of no...
in Doran by 123 votes to 57, but in August the officers and executive committee of the association all resigned. Doran defended his conduct and decided to call a new meeting to appoint new officers.
Defeat
At the 1935 general electionUnited Kingdom general election, 1935
The United Kingdom general election held on 14 November 1935 resulted in a large, though reduced, majority for the National Government now led by Conservative Stanley Baldwin. The greatest number of MPs, as before, were Conservative, while the National Liberal vote held steady...
, Doran was duly endorsed by the Conservatives to defend his seat. He argued in support of the protective tariffs imposed by the National Government, claiming that the factories built in Tottenham since the tariffs had practically cured the unemployment problem in the borough. However Doran lost the seat by over 8,000 votes. An antisemitic journal called "The Patriot" founded by the Duke of Northumberland
Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland
Alan Ian Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland KG CBE MVO TD was the son of Henry Percy, 7th Duke of Northumberland and Lady Edith Campbell....
later ascribed Doran's loss of his seat to attacks made on him by Conservative Central Office
Conservative Campaign Headquarters
Conservative Campaign Headquarters , formerly known as Conservative Central Office is the headquarters of the British Conservative Party, housing its central staff and committee members....
.