His father, associated with Henry Sturmey, founded early publications on the motor industry and cycling.

His father also founded the Coventry Evening Telegraph, which Edward began working on at age 17.

[1] He sat as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Tamworth from 1923 to 1929, but resigned to give his seat to Sir Arthur Steel-Maitland, who had been unseated in the election.

[1] During the First World War, Iliffe was Controller of the Machine Tool Department at the Ministry of Munitions.

[5] In 1937, Iliffe donated Allesley Hall and the surrounding acreage to the Coventry City Council.