Sir Nairne Stewart Sandeman, 1st Baronet

Sir Alexander Nairne Stewart Sandeman, 1st Baronet (12 October 1876 – 23 April 1940) was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was elected at the 1923 general election as Member of Parliament (MP) for Middleton and Prestwich, and held the seat until his death in 1940, aged 63.

Early life and career He was born in Perthshire in 1876, the son of Col. Frank Stewart Sandeman of Stanley, Perthshire, and Laura Condie; he was educated Trinity College, Glenalmond and married Evelyn F. J. Bell. His eldest sister, Laura, became a doctor and also stood as a Conservative Party candidate. Lawyer Condie Sandeman was his elder brother.

After completing his education Sandeman worked for four years at the North British Mercantile Insurance Company in Edinburgh. From there he went on to work for Frank Steward Sandeman and Sons Ltd, a company specialising in the spinning of jute and cotton. It was an association he had for the remainder of his business career.

In the 1929 King's Birthday Honours, he was made a baronet, of Kenlygreen, St Andrews, Fife.

Political career Sandeman surprised many when he took the seat of Middleton and Prestwich at the 1923 General Election. He defeated the incumbent, Sir W. R. D. Adkins K.C., who had held the seat since 1918. Sandeman described his approach to the election as one of being a "red hot Protectionist". During the Spanish Civil War, Sandeman was a strong supporter of General Franco and the fascists, serving on the Friends of National Spain committee.

Road Accident In March 1935 he was knocked down by a car in Old Palace Yard at the Palace of Westminster. Sandeman was badly injured in the accident, receiving a frontal fracture of the skull (which caused brain damage), a severe concussion, a broken elbow and damage to his ankle. In a subsequent legal action Sandeman was awarded £2,350 in compensation.

Sandeman spent two weeks in a dark room and was unable to get up from bed for three and a half. Nairne went on to give away his niece, Anne Helen Stewart Sandeman at her wedding following the death of her father. He acted in the same capacity for his other niece, Bethea Stewart Sandeman, at her wedding in 1936.

He played golf and participated in the Calcutta Cup tournament played over the New Course at St. Andrews in 1935. His golf handicap was noted at the time of his accident in 1935 as being eight.

Sandeman fell ill at the House of Commons and died on route to Westminster Hospital. He left a widow but no children and his baronetcy ended with him.