Woodbridge by-election, 1920

The Woodbridge by-election of 1920 was held on 28 July 1920. The by-election was held due to the resignation of the incumbent Coalition Unionist MP, Robert Francis Peel. It was won by the Coalition Unionist candidate Sir Arthur Churchman.

Vacancy

The by-election was caused by the sitting Unionist MP, Robert Francis Peel resigning his seat to become Governor and Commander-in-Chief of St Helena. He had been MP here since re-gaining the seat from the Liberals in January 1910.

Electoral history

The constituency was a Unionist/Liberal marginal. Since the seat's creation in 1885, it had been won by a Unionist candidate six times and by a Liberal three times. The Coalition Government 'Coupon' at the last General Election in 1918 was awarded to the sitting Unionist rather than the Liberal challenger. Despite this, the Liberal vote held up very well;

Robert Peel
General Election 1918: Woodbridge[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist 8,654 55.8 +3.2
Liberal Maj. William Rowley Elliston 6,842 44.2 -3.2
Majority 1,812 11.6 +6.4
Turnout 51.0
Unionist hold Swing +3.2

Candidates

Campaign

Polling Day was set for 28 July 1920. Nominations closed to confirm that the election would be a two-way contest. Churchman received the official endorsement of the Coalition Government.

Result

Woodbridge by-election, 1920[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Sir Arthur Charles Churchman 9,898 53.2 -2.6
Labour Henry Devenish Harben 8,707 46.8 n/a
Majority 1,191 6.4
Turnout 61.4 +10.4
Unionist hold Swing

Aftermath

The result at the following General Election in 1922 was;

General Election 1922: Woodbridge[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Sir Arthur Charles Churchman 12,396 56.7 +3.5
Labour Edward John Cecil Neep 9,476 43.3 -3.5
Majority 2,920 13.4 +6.8
Turnout 69.1 +7.7
Unionist hold Swing +3.4

See also

References

  1. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, FWS Craig
  2. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, FWS Craig
  3. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, FWS Craig
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