1903 Argyllshire by-election

The 1903 Argyllshire by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 26 August 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

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Donald Ninian Nicol had been Conservative MP for the seat of Argyllshire since the 1895 general election. He died on 27 July 1903 at the age of 60.[2]

Electoral history

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The seat had been Conservative since they gained it in 1895. They easily held the seat at the last election, with an increased majority;

 
John Ainsworth
General election January 1900[3] Electorate 10,405
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Donald Nicol (MP) 3,834 54.2 +3.3
Liberal John Stirling Ainsworth 3,234 45.8 −3.3
Majority 600 8.4 +6.6
Turnout 7,068 67.9 −6.6
Conservative hold Swing +3.3

Candidates

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The local Conservative Association selected 63-year-old Charles Stewart as their candidate to defend the seat. He was a solicitor.[4]

The local Liberal Association selected 59-year-old John Stirling Ainsworth as their candidate to gain the seat. Ainsworth contested the Barrow-in-Furness constituency at the 1886 general election and Argyllshire in 1900. He commanded the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, the Border Regiment from 1898-1902.[5]

Campaign

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Polling Day was fixed for the 26 August 1903, just 30 days after the previous MP died.

Result

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The Liberals gained the seat from the Conservatives;

1903 Argyllshire by-election[6] Electorate 10,643
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Stirling Ainsworth 4,326 61.2 +15.4
Conservative Charles Stewart 2,740 38.8 −15.4
Majority 1,586 22.4 N/A
Turnout 7,066 66.4 −1.5
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +15.4

Aftermath

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At the following General Election the result was;

General election January 1906[7] Electorate 11,216
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Stirling Ainsworth 4,507 59.9 +14.1
Conservative George Hutchison 3,012 40.1 −14.1
Majority 1,495 19.8 N/A
Turnout 7,519 67.0 −0.9
Liberal hold Swing +14.1

References

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  1. ^ Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 97.
  2. ^ Who Was Who
  3. ^ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig
  4. ^ Who Was Who
  5. ^ Who Was Who
  6. ^ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig
  7. ^ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig