1903 Belfast West by-election

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The 1903 Belfast West by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 23 October 1903.[1] The constituency returned one Member 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 Belfast West was caused by the appointment on 6 October 1903 of the sitting Liberal Unionist MP, H. O. Arnold-Forster as Secretary of State for War.[3]

Arnold-Forster had been Member of Parliament for the constituency since the 1892 general election.

Candidates[edit]

The Liberal Unionist Party re-selected H.O. Arnold-Forster to defend the seat. Arnold-Forster did not return to Belfast during the campaign, having strained his heart.[4] It was announced that he was ill in London, but that he attended the War Office daily.[5]

The Nationalist candidate was Patrick Dempsey. Dempsey was a businessman and the brother of Alexander Dempsey, a senior hospital consultant and of Belfast Alderman James Dempsey.[5] He was selected by a nominating convention of the United Irish League attended by John Redmond MP.[5] His candidacy was announced only three days before polling.[5][6][7]

Result[edit]

The result was declared on Saturday 24 October, the count being postponed overnight to prevent rioting.[8][9]

1903 Belfast West by-election[10][11][12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Unionist H. O. Arnold-Forster 3,912 51.6 N/A
Irish Parliamentary Patrick Dempsey 3,671 48.4 New
Majority 241 3.2 N/A
Turnout 7,583 88.0 N/A
Registered electors 8,617
Liberal Unionist hold Swing N/A

References[edit]

  1. ^ Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 294.
  2. ^ F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results, 1885-1918; Macmillan Press, 1974 p. xiv
  3. ^ "No. 27603". The London Gazette. 6 October 1903. p. 6087.
  4. ^ Arnold-Forster, Mary (1910). The Right Honorable Hugh Oakeley Arnold-Forster. A Memoir by his wife. London: Edward Arnold. pp. 233–234.
  5. ^ a b c d Hepburn, Anthony C. (2008). Catholic Belfast and Nationalist Ireland in the Era of Joe Devlin, 1871-1934. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-19-929884-6.
  6. ^ "Opposition to Foster". The Bunbury Herald. Bunbury, West Australia. 21 October 1903. p. 2. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  7. ^ "The Belfast West Election". The Bairnsdale Advertiser. 22 October 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  8. ^ "Ministers Re-Elected". Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times. 29 October 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Bye-Election Results". Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. 31 October 1903. p. 6. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. ^ Walker, Brian Mercer (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. p. 164. ISBN 0-901714-12-7.
  11. ^ The Liberal Year Book for 1908. London: The Liberal Publication Department. 1908. pp. 216–217.
  12. ^ "The Belfast Seat". The North-Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times. Devonport, Tasmania. 28 October 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
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