1892 Derby by-election

The 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

Under the provisions of the Succession to the Crown Act of 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

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

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
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 N/A

References
  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. "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. "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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