The by-election was caused by the resignation on 8 February 1876 of the serving Conservative PartyMP, Richard Arkwright.[1] After a close-fought campaign, the result was a gain for the Liberal candidate, Thomas Blake, with a majority of 85 over the Conservative, Charles Spencer Bateman Hanbury Kincaid-Lennox,[2] brother of Lord Bateman. This came as something of a surprise as no Liberal had been elected to the constituency for the previous 25 years.[2]
^ abcCraig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832–1885 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 182. ISBN0-900178-26-4.