Liverpool Exchange by-election, 1922

The Liverpool Exchange by-election, 1922 was a by-election held in England for the House of Commons constituency of Liverpool Exchange on 13 March 1922.

This was a ministerial by-election, held under laws in force until 1926 which required an MP appointed to government to seek re-election. The Conservative Party candidate Leslie Scott was re-elected.

Vacancy

The seat had become vacant on 9 March 1922 when the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Leslie Scott had been appointed as Solicitor General for England and Wales.[1] He had held the seat since the December 1910 general election.[2][3]

Candidates

While Scott's appointment was not Gazetted until 9 March,[1] it had been announced on 6 March.[4] On Wednesday 8 March, the Irish Nationalist Party in Liverpool decided to contest the seat. The Nationalist candidate A. Harford had been Scott's only opponent in 1918, when he had won 44.4% of the votes,[5] and a delegation was sent to ask Harford to stand again.[5] The independent Liberals who had remained outside David Lloyd George's Conservative-dominated coalition government were initially undecided on whether to contest the election,[5] and Scott addressed the local Coalition Liberals to seek their support.[5]

Nominations were set for 13 March, and polling for 22 March.[6] However on Sunday 12 March, the Nationalists decided not to contest the seat, and when nominations closed, Scott was the only candidate.[7]

Result

Since only one candidate was nominated, there was no need for a vote. Scott was returned unopposed.[2][7]

Aftermath

Scott was knighted on 31 March that year,[8] but served for only 6 months as Solicitor General. He retired from Parliament at the 1929 general election, and after returning to his legal practice he became a judge in 1935.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 The London Gazette: no. 32635. p. 2033. 10 March 1922. Retrieved 5 September 1922.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1989]. British parliamentary election results 1885–1918 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 141. ISBN 0-900178-27-2.
  3. ↑ Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 176. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  4. ↑ "The Law Officers". The Times. 7 March 1922. p. 12. Retrieved 5 September 2012.(subscription required)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Irish Opposition To Mr. Leslie Scott. Exchange By-Election". The Times. 9 March 1922. p. 9. Retrieved 5 September 2012.(subscription required)
  6. ↑ "Chertsey Election Candidates. Sir H. Gough On Peace And Justice". The Times. 13 January 1922. p. 7. Retrieved 5 September 2012.(subscription required)
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Mr Leslie Scott returned unopposed". The Times. 14 January 1897. p. 12. Retrieved 5 September 2012.(subscription required)
  8. ↑ The London Gazette: no. 32658. p. 2599. 31 March 1922.