[citation needed] A barrister by profession, Andrews was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple in 1898 and practised on the North Eastern circuit.
A keen sportsman, he was a follower of the Bramham Moor Hounds, and ran horses at the Wetherby Steeplechase.
Andrews was elected as member of parliament (MP) for Barkston Ash at a by-election in October 1905 following the death of Sir Robert Gunter, defeating the Conservative candidate George Lane-Fox by 228 votes.
Andrews lost the seat only three months later at the 1906 general election to the Conservative Party candidate, again George Lane-Fox (later 1st Baron Bingley), losing by 548 votes.
[2] His defeat was one of the few Liberal losses at an election which saw the party win a landslide majority in the House of Commons.