The 1913 Kendal by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 18 March 1913.[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

Josceline Bagot was twice returned as Conservative MP for Kendal (1892–1906 and 1910–1913),[2] He died on 1 March 1913.

Previous result

General election December 1910 Electorate 6,546
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Josceline Bagot 3,041 52.7
Liberal William Somervell 2,733 47.3
Majority 308 5.4
Turnout 5,774
Conservative hold Swing

Candidates

Somervell

John Weston was selected by the Unionists to defend the seat. The Liberals chose local man William Somervell who had stood here last time.

Campaign

Result

Kendal by-election, 1913 Electorate
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ind. Unionist John Weston 3,261 54.9 +2.2
Liberal William Somervell 2,680 45.1 -2.2
Majority 581 9.8 +4.4
Turnout 5,941
Ind. Unionist gain from Unionist Swing +2.2

Somervell explained his defeat, and the doubling of the Unionist majority, by claiming that Weston (who stood as an Independent Unionist) had been elected because he was a ‘semi-Liberal’ and a popular local man.[3]

Aftermath

Somervell was to enter parliament at a by-election in May 1918, holding a Liberal seat. Following boundary changes, Kendal was merged into the new Westmorland seat for the 1918 elections.

General election 14 December 1918: Westmorland Electorate 30,516
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist *John Weston Unopposed N/A N/A
Unionist win (new seat)
  • Weston was endorsed by the Coalition Government.

References

  1. ↑ Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 108.
  2. ↑ "Mr Josceline Bagot (Hansard)". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Retrieved 22 April 2018.
  3. ↑ The Times, 20 March 1913 p6
  • Craig, F. W. S. (1974). British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 (1 ed.). London: Macmillan.
  • Who's Who: www.ukwhoswho.com
  • Debrett's House of Commons 1916
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