Wolverhampton West by-election, 1922

The Wolverhampton West by-election, 1922 was a by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Wolverhampton West in Wolverhampton on 7 March 1922. It was won by the Coalition Conservative candidate Sir Robert Bird.

Vacancy

The seat had become vacant on when the sitting Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Sir Alfred Bird had died at the age of 72 on 7 February 1922. He had held the seat since the January 1910 general election.

Candidates

The Conservative candidate was 45-year-old Sir Robert Bird, son of Sir Alfred. The Labour Party candidate was 49-year-old Alexander Walkden, who had contested the seat in 1918.

The Liberal Party did not field a candidate, and did not contest Wolverhampton West until the 1929 general election.

Result

On an increased turnout, the result was a victory for the Coalition Conservative candidate, Sir Robert Bird, although his majority was somewhat reduced from that won by his father in 1918. He held the seat until 1929, regained it in 1931, and stepped down at the 1945 general election.

Walkden stood again (unsuccessfully) at the November 1922 general election, and after contesting Heywood and Radcliffe in 1924, was elected as MP for Bristol South in 1929.

Votes

Wolverhampton West by-election, 1922
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Coalition Conservative Sir Robert Bird, Bt. 16,790 54.9 −1.9
Labour Alexander Walkden 13,799 45.1 +1.9
Majority 2,991 9.8 −3.8
Turnout 30,589 80.0 +16.7
Coalition Conservative hold Swing −1.9
General Election 1918: Wolverhampton West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Coalition Conservative Sir Alfred Bird, Bt. 13,329 58.8 N/A
Labour Alexander Walkden 10,158 42.2 N/A
Majority 3,171 13.6 N/A
Turnout 23,487 63.3 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A

See also

Sources