1903 St Andrews Burghs by-election
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TheSt Andrews Burghsby-electionwas aParliamentary by-electionheld on 17 September 1903.[1]The constituency returned oneMember of Parliament(MP) to theHouse of Commons of the United Kingdom,elected by thefirst past the postvoting system.
Vacancy[edit]
Henry Torrens Anstrutherhad been Liberal Unionist MP for the seat ofSt Andrews Burghssince the 1886 general election. He resigned on taking up the position of a Director of the Suez Canal.
Electoral history[edit]
The seat had been Liberal Unionist since they gained it in 1886. They easily held the seat at the last election, with an increased majority;
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Unionist | Henry Torrens Anstruther | 1,148 | 51.2 | −3.3 | |
| Liberal | James Annand | 1,094 | 48.8 | +3.3 | |
| Majority | 54 | 2.4 | −6.6 | ||
| Turnout | 2,242 | 76.0 | −5.1 | ||
| Liberal Unionisthold | Swing | ||||
Candidates[edit]
The local Liberal Unionist Association selected 44-year-old MajorWilliam Anstruther-Thomsonas their candidate to defend the seat. He served in South Africa from 1901-1902 where he was commandant of the district of Knysna in 1901, and Inspector of Concentration Camps in Transvaal in 1902.[3]
The local Liberal Association selected 45-year-old CaptainEdward Charles Elliceas their candidate to gain the seat. He was cousin and heir ofEdward Ellice,a previous MP for the constituency.[4]
Campaign[edit]
Polling Day was fixed for the 17 September 1903, just days after the previous MP resigned his seat.
Ellice, the Liberal candidate, declared himself againstHome Rulefor Ireland and also declined to support thedisestablishmentof the church in Scotland, both Liberal policies. This made his campaign less distinguishable from the Liberal Unionists. However, the candidates did differ on the question of trade, Ellice supported the Liberal position of support forFree tradewhile Thomson supportedTariff Reformas being advocated by leading UnionistJoseph Chamberlain.[5]
Result[edit]
The Liberals gained the seat from the Liberal Unionists;
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Edward Charles Ellice | 1,324 | 50.7 | +1.9 | |
| Liberal Unionist | William Anstruther-Thomson | 1,288 | 49.3 | −1.9 | |
| Majority | 36 | 1.4 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 2,612 | 82.6 | +6.6 | ||
| LiberalgainfromLiberal Unionist | Swing | +1.9 | |||
Aftermath[edit]
Anstruther-Thomson changed his name in 1904 to Anstruther-Gray. At the following general election, he re-gained the seat, the result was;
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Unionist | William Anstruther-Gray | 1,495 | 50.4 | +1.1 | |
| Liberal | Edward Charles Ellice | 1,472 | 49.6 | −1.1 | |
| Majority | 23 | 0.8 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 2,967 | 91.4 | +15.4 | ||
| Liberal UnionistgainfromLiberal | Swing | +1.1 | |||
References[edit]
- ^Craig, F.W.S. (1987).Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987.Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 97.
- ^British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig
- ^Who Was Who
- ^Who Was Who
- ^The Spectator, 19 SEPTEMBER 1903
- ^British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig
- ^The Constitutional Year Book,1904, published byConservative Central Office,page 186 (210 in web page)
- ^British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig