1913 Kendal by-election explained

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.

Candidates

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

Result

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.

• Weston was endorsed by the Coalition Government.

References

• 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

Notes and References

1. Book: Craig, F.W.S. . 1987 . Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987 . Chichester . Parliamentary Research Services . 108.
2. Web site: Mr Josceline Bagot (Hansard). Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 22 April 2018.
3. The Times, 20 March 1913 p6