Edmund was born in 1938 in Ballasalla and was educated at Castle Rushen and then worked for the Ronaldsway Aircraft Company from 1964, until 1975. He then stood for the Manx Labour Party in the House of Keys election of 1975 and was elected as one of the MHKs for Rushen. He continued in this position until his elevation to the Council in 1982. He held several ministerial posts under Sir Miles Walker and was also a Vice Chairman of the Manx Labour Party.