Lowestoft by-election, 1934

The 1934 Lowestoft by-election was an election held for the House of Commons of the United Kingdom's constituency of Lowestoft, it was the first ever by election in the constituency. It was held on Thursday 15 February 1934, polling stations opened between the hours of 8 am and 10 pm. It was held after the Conservative Party Member of Parliament (MP) Gervais Rentoul retired.

Campaigns

In the weeks and months leading up to the by election several meetings took place, the Labour Party's meetings focussed on the towns fishing industry, an advert appeared in the Lowestoft Journal of 1934 stating that a meeting would take place at the towns hippodrome on Sunday 4 February 1934 at 7.30 pm. Guest speakers included the rt hon Ted Kennedy,Noel Palmer and the Labour Party candidate himself.

The Conservative Party also decided to focus their campaign on the local fishing industry and Loftus conducted many meetings, in the run up to the election, this included one with the Southwold's women unionists. Loftus also conducted a constituency meeting on the Claremont Pier pavilion, where he was joined by speakers Geoff Shakespeare. The constituency meeting was described in a local paper as "full and lively".

Whereas William Smith the independent Liberal decided to concentrate his campaign on unemployment, this included unemployment at a national and a local level.

Candidates

The candidates selected for the by election, were as follows Pierse Loftus who stood on behalf of the Conservative Party, Reginald Sorensen was selected on behalf of the Labour Party. William Smith a local councilor decided to stand as an Independent Liberal.

Election results

It was reported that Mr William Smith, fore fitted his deposit under section 27 of the parliamentary representation act.

1931 General Election result

See also

• Gervais Rentoul

References