1903 Argyllshire by-election
The 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[edit]
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[edit]
The seat had been Conservative since they gained it in 1895. They easily held the seat at the last election, with an increased majority;
| 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[edit]
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[edit]
Polling Day was fixed for the 26 August 1903, just 30 days after the previous MP died.
Result[edit]
The Liberals gained the seat from the Conservatives;
| 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[edit]
At the following General Election the result was;
| 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 | ||||
References[edit]
- ^ Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 97.
- ^ Who Was Who
- ^ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig
- ^ Who Was Who
- ^ Who Was Who
- ^ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig
- ^ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig