Elections
Asquith’s return to parliament at the 1920 Paisley by-election
Analysis of the by-election that returned the Liberal leader to the Commons. To access this content, you must purchase Annual subscription (digital) – unwaged rate or Annual subscription (digital) – standard rate.
On this day 10-1-1916
The by-election was caused by the elevation to the peerage of the sitting Liberal MP, Captain Cecil Norton. Although a relatively marginal seat, the Unionists abided by the wartime political truce and gave the Liberals a free run. However, the new Liberal candidate, J.D. Gilbert, was opposed by a militant trade unionist and socialist, Joe…
On this day 17-1-1906
In a foretaste of Bottomley’s controversial career, his campaign included issuing writs for libel against several of his opponent’s supporters. Bottomley was to hold the seat in both 1910 elections but eventually had to leave the Commons in May 1912 when he resigned due to bankruptcy. He returned to parliament at the 1918 ‘coupon’ election,…
On this day 9-12-1915
The by-election was triggered by Herbert Samuel’s appointment to ‘an office of profit under the crown’ when he became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster following the resignation of Winston Churchill. Ironically, Samuel was not going to take the salary as he was already Postmaster-General. Samuel was opposed by Reginald Knight, standing as a candidate…
On this day 29-3-1916
In a rare wartime contest, Liberal and coalition candidate, T.O. Jacobson, fought off a strong campaign by the Independent, D.P. Davies who polled 44%. The by-election was caused by the resignation of the previous, controversial Liberal MP, Francis Neilsen. Neilsen had been absent in the United States for almost a year due to ill-health and,…
General Election 2019: Disappointment for the Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats entered the 2019 general election campaign buoyed by their best opinion poll ratings in a decade, a second place showing in the recent European Parliament elections, impressive local election results in England and high-profile defections from the other parties. The party had a dynamic, young new leader in Jo Swinson and a…
But how to win elsewhere?
Review of Chris Rennard, Winning Here – My Campaigning Life (Biteback, 2018).
Birmingham, the ‘Caucus’ and the 1868 general election
An examination of the emergence and impact of the Birmingham Liberal ‘caucus’. To access this content, you must purchase Annual subscription (digital) – unwaged rate or Annual subscription (digital) – standard rate.
Gambling on Brexit
Analysis of the Liberal Democrat performance in the 2019 general election. To access this content, you must purchase Annual subscription (digital) – unwaged rate or Annual subscription (digital) – standard rate.