[7] Under this label, in 1913, Bannington was elected to Coventry City Council, defeating a long-standing Liberal Party councillor.
[7] In 1916, the BSP adopted a position opposing British involvement in World War I. Bannington strongly objected to this and resigned from the party,[9] joining the Army Tank Corps.
[10] In Bannington's absence, other former BSP members in the city had formed a local branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers.
Ultimately, both candidates were defeated by Edward Manville, a Coalition Conservative politician; Bannington took 3,806 votes and fourth place in poll, behind Wallhead.
[10] Soon afterwards, Bannington left the city,[9] relocating to Oxford, where he devoted his time to the Amalgamated Society of Woodworkers.