Support 110 years of independent journalism.

The Returning Officer: Mary Pickford

By Stephen Brasher

Mary Pickford, a Conservative, was elected as the MP for Hammersmith North in London in 1931, having fought Farnworth, Lancashire, in 1929.

Born in 1884 (eight years before the film star of the same name), she was a factory inspector during the First World War. In 1928 she took part in a meeting in Burnley aimed at newly enfranchised female voters. The local paper noted: “There was no doubt that some . . . were under the impression they were to have a close-up view of the celebrated film star.” The meeting was followed by a dance, and “many had put on their dancing slippers prior to arrival”.

Taken ill in March 1934, she died of pneumonia a few days later. The resulting by-election was won by Labour’s Fielding West, who died of cancer less than two years later.

Stephen Brasher

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday - from the New Statesman. The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. Stay up to date with NS events, subscription offers & updates.
  • Administration / Office
  • Arts and Culture
  • Board Member
  • Business / Corporate Services
  • Client / Customer Services
  • Communications
  • Construction, Works, Engineering
  • Education, Curriculum and Teaching
  • Environment, Conservation and NRM
  • Facility / Grounds Management and Maintenance
  • Finance Management
  • Health - Medical and Nursing Management
  • HR, Training and Organisational Development
  • Information and Communications Technology
  • Information Services, Statistics, Records, Archives
  • Infrastructure Management - Transport, Utilities
  • Legal Officers and Practitioners
  • Librarians and Library Management
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • OH&S, Risk Management
  • Operations Management
  • Planning, Policy, Strategy
  • Printing, Design, Publishing, Web
  • Projects, Programs and Advisors
  • Property, Assets and Fleet Management
  • Public Relations and Media
  • Purchasing and Procurement
  • Quality Management
  • Science and Technical Research and Development
  • Security and Law Enforcement
  • Service Delivery
  • Sport and Recreation
  • Travel, Accommodation, Tourism
  • Wellbeing, Community / Social Services
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

Content from our partners
Why we must prioritise treating long-term health conditions
It’s time to reimagine the lifecycle of our devices
On the road to Cop28

This article appears in the 08 Feb 2017 issue of the New Statesman, The May Doctrine