1892 Derby by-election

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The 1892 Derby by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 24 August 1892.[1] The constituency returned two Members of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.

Vacancy[edit]

Under the provisions of the Succession to the Crown Act 1707 and a number of subsequent Acts, MPs appointed to certain ministerial and legal offices were at this time required to seek re-election.[2] The by-election in Derby was caused by the appointment on 18 August 1892 of the sitting Liberal MP, Sir William Harcourt as Chancellor of the Exchequer.[3]

Harcourt had been a Member of Parliament for the constituency since an 1880 by-election.

Candidates[edit]

The Liberal Party re-selected Sir William Harcourt to defend the seat.

Henry Farmer-Atkinson stood as an independent candidate. Farmer-Atkinson had been the Conservative Member of Parliament for Boston from 1886 until the 1892 general election.

His candidature was described by contemporary sources as "a meaningless candidature",[4] "absurd",[5] and "erratic".[6]

The Conservative Party did not contest the seat. The executive committee of the Derby Conservative Association passed a resolution on 20 August resolving to take no part in the contest and disclaiming Farmer-Atkinson's candidature.[7][8]

Campaign[edit]

Harcourt arrived in Derby on Monday 22 August, two days before the poll, and addressed a meeting that evening.[9] He delivered two speeches at the works of the Midland Railway Company on Tuesday 23 August.[10] It was estimated that 40 per cent of the electorate worked for the Midland Railway.[11]

Farmer-Atkinson arrived in Derby on Monday 22 August.[12] He addressed a meeting at Derby Drill hall that evening.[9] His canvass was described as "crazy".[6]

Result[edit]

1892 Derby by-election[13][14][15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Harcourt 6,508 80.1 +22.4
Independent Henry Farmer-Atkinson 1,619 19.9 New
Majority 4,889 60.2 +53.1
Turnout 8,127 51.6 −32.0
Registered electors 15,754
Liberal hold Swing

References[edit]

  1. ^ Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 84.
  2. ^ F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results, 1885-1918; Macmillan Press, 1974 p. xiv
  3. ^ "No. 26319". The London Gazette. 23 August 1892. p. 4801.
  4. ^ "News of the Week". The Spectator. 27 August 1892. p. 2. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  5. ^ "[Unknown]". The Morning Post. London. 25 August 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  6. ^ a b "Atkinson Overwhelmingly Defeated". Staunton Daily News. Staunton, VA. 26 August 1892. p. 3. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  7. ^ "The Re-Elections". Western Mail. 22 August 1892. p. 5. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  8. ^ "This Morning's Papers". Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette. 24 August 1892. p. 2. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  9. ^ a b "Sir William Harcourt at Derby". South Wales Daily News. 23 August 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  10. ^ "Sir William Harcourt at Derby". South Wales Daily News. 24 August 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  11. ^ Pelling, Henry (1967). Social Geography of British Elections 1885-1910. Macmillan: London. p. 211.
  12. ^ "The Situation at Derby". Evening Express. 22 August 1892. p. 3. Retrieved 3 April 2022.
  13. ^ Craig, F.W.S. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918. London and Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-349-02300-4.
  14. ^ The Liberal Year Book for 1908. London: The Liberal Publication Department. 1908. pp. 240–241.
  15. ^ The Constitutional Year Book for 1919. London: National Unionist Association. 1919. p. 295.
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