“IN DEADLY EARNEST.”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 96, 4 February 1936, Page 6

“IN DEADLY EARNEST.”

HUMORIST GOES TO PARLIAMENT Mr A. P. Herbert, creator of ‘fTopsy, M.P.,” author, humorist, satirist, is to-day himself an M.P. He was one of the two members returned for Oxford University at the recent British elections. He stood as an Independent National. Recently Mr Herbert and two of his daughters narrowly escaped death in a storm-driven barge at sea. He treated the adventure as a joke. But he refuses to joke about A. P. Herbert, M.P. , „ “Please don’t make any wisecracks, he said to a London press representative, “about the efforts I haye made to stop M.P.’s buying drinks in the House after hours. I don’t want to be regarded as a freak M.P----“I speak as a serious, person now. Everybody laughed at me before. I shall not give them the opportunity to laugh again. Perhaps they will realise that I have been in deadly earnest behind much that has passed as light satire. I was very pleased and a little surprised at the result. Friends warned me against putting up, and politicians absolutely hooted at the idea of my contesting Oxford. “They said it was the last place in the world to return me. I owe my success largely to the wonderful work of my wife and family, and various friends. I am particularly pleased with the result, for my name was not mentioned until one day beforo nomination clay. I had no organisation behind me and no initial backing.” Mr Herbert fought liis campaign with a complete absence of cant. Last year he twice tried to establish in court that it is illegal for M.P.’s to drink in the House after normal hours. He failed. He has strong views on divorce law reform and income-tax. His presence in the House is bound to he enlivening.