1908 Worcester by-election

A UK parliamentary by-election in the constituency of Worcester was held on 7 February 1908 and won by the Conservative candidate Edward Goulding.

Vacancy

The election was held after the voiding of the election for Worcester at the 1906 UK general election of Conservative George Henry Williamson. The losing Liberal Party candidate, Henry Devenish Harben, lodged an election petition alleging corruption, and after a trial from 22 to 26 May, Sir John Compton Lawrance and Sir Joseph Walton adjudged Williamson "guilty by his agents of the corrupt practice of bribery", so that on 14 June his seat was vacated.[1] The writ of election was suspended and a Royal Commission was established to investigate the extent of corruption, and its report was published in December, concluding that there had been extensive corruption.[2] New writs were proposed unsuccessfully on 17 December 1906[3] and 14 February 1907,[4] and the writ was not finally moved until 31 January 1908,[5] leaving the seat without an MP for two years.[6]

Campaign

The campaign was "short but exceptionally keen".[7] Goulding campaigned for tariff reform and had the support of most of Worcester City Council.[7] The 1906 election court case had to be paid for by the county borough, which duly increased the rates, causing resentment against the Liberals as the party whose previous candidate had lodged the petition.[7] There was also an anti-incumbency sentiment against the Liberal government, which was blamed for food price inflation.[7]

Result

1908 Worcester by-election[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Goulding 4,361 58.7 +7.9
Liberal Harold Elverston 3,069 41.3 −7.9
Majority 1,292 17.4 +15.8
Turnout 7,430 87.8 −2.9
Registered electors 8,460
Conservative hold Swing +7.9

References

  1. ^
    • O'Malley, Edwin L.; Hardcastle, Henry; Sandars, J. S. (1910). Reports of the Decisions of the Judges for the trial of Election Petitions in England and Ireland as pursuant to the Parliamentary Elections Act 1868. Vol. 5. London: Stevens & Haynes. pp. 212–217.
    • Copy of the Shorthand Writers' Notes of the Judgment of Mr. Justice Lawrance and Mr. Justice Walton on the Trial of the Election Petition of the City of Worcester; also the Minutes of Evidence taken at the Trial of the said Election Petition. Parliamentary papers. Vol. HC 1906 xcv (198) 255. 14 June 1906.
    • HC Deb 14 June 1906 vol 158 cc1102–1106
  2. ^
    • Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire Into the Existence of Corrupt Practices at the Last Election for the City of Worcester (1906). Report. Command papers. Vol. Cd.3268. HMSO.
    • Royal Commission Appointed to Inquire Into the Existence of Corrupt Practices at the Last Election for the City of Worcester (1906). Minutes of Evidence. Command papers. Vol. Cd.3269. HMSO.
  3. ^ HC Deb 17 December 1906 vol 167 cc1051–1063
  4. ^ HC Deb 14 February 1907 vol 169 cc317–329
  5. ^ HC Deb 31 January 1908 vol 183 cc373–375
  6. ^ a b Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1974]. British parliamentary election results 1885–1918 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 215. ISBN 0-900178-27-2.
  7. ^ a b c d "Election Intelligence; Worcester". The Times. No. 38564. London. 8 February 1908. p. 10.


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