He was a Nationalist Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Gippsland South from 1922 until 1927, when he was defeated at the state election by the independent Henry Bodman.

When Bodman died less than seven months later, West regained the seat at the resulting by-election, and held it until the next election, when he was defeated by the Country Party candidate, Herbert Hyland, on preferences from the Labor Party.

He contracted a serious illness, and being confined to bed, was unable to continue his career as a blacksmith.

Inspired by the American blacksmith Elihu Burritt, West worked to "exchange the sledgehammer for the pen", and become proficient in administration and politics.

[2] In 1907 he obtained a municipal clerk's certificate and became a long-serving secretary of the Shire of Traralgon for over 27 years.