United Kingdom general election, 1900

The United Kingdom general election of 1900 was held between 26 September and 24 October 1900, following the dissolution of Parliament on 25 September. Also known as the khaki election (the first of several elections to bear this sobriquet), it was held at a time when it was widely believed that the Second Boer War had effectively been won (though in fact it was to continue for a further two years). The Conservatives, led by Lord Salisbury with their Liberal Unionist allies, secured a large majority of 130, despite securing only 5.6% more votes than Henry Campbell-Bannerman's Liberals. This was largely due to the Conservatives winning 163 uncontested seats. The Labour Representation Committee, later to become the Labour Party, participated in a general election for the first time even though they had only been in existence for a few months. As a result, Keir Hardie and Richard Bell were the first and only LRC members of parliament in 1900.

This was the first time that Winston Churchill was elected to the House of Commons. He had stood in the same seat, Oldham, in a by-election the previous year, but had lost. It was also the final general election of the Victorian era and the 19th century.

Results

Total votes cast: 3,514,592. All parties with more than 1,000 votes shown.

Voting summary

Seats summary

See also

• MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1900
• The Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885-1918

External links

• 1900 Conservative manifesto
• 1900 Labour manifesto
• 1900 Liberal manifesto

References

• F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987
• Spartacus: Political Parties and Election Results
• United Kingdom election results - summary results 1885-1979