The Dumfries Burghs by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 20 July 1909.[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

John Gulland had been Liberal MP for the seat of Dumfries Burghs since the 1906 general election. On 5 July 1909, he was appointed as a Junior Lord of the Treasury, which meant, in accordance with the times, that he was required to resign his seat and seek re-election to parliament.

Electoral history

The seat had been Liberal since the party was created. They easily held the seat at the last election, with an increased majority;

John Gulland
General election January 1906[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Gulland 2,035 59.2 +0.5
Conservative Joseph J. Glover 1,402 40.8 -0.5
Majority 633 18.4 +1.0
Turnout 3,437 90.7 +6.0
Liberal hold Swing +0.5

Candidates

The local Liberal Association re-selected 45-year-old John Gulland to defend the seat. The Conservatives chose Bryce Duncan as their candidate.

Campaign

Polling Day was fixed for 20 July 1909.

Result

The Liberals held the seat with a reduced majority;

Dumfries Burghs by-election, 1909[3] Electorate 3,984
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Gulland 1,877 54.2 -5.0
Conservative John Bryce Duncan 1,585 45.8 +5.0
Majority 292 8.4 -10.0
Turnout 3,462 86.9 -3.8
Liberal hold Swing -5.0

Aftermath

Gulland retained the seat at the following general election;

General election January 1910[4] Electorate 4,307
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Gulland 2,303 57.1 +2.9
Liberal Unionist John Bryce Duncan 1,730 42.9 -2.9
Majority 573 14.2 +5.8
Turnout 4,033 93.6 +6.7
Liberal hold Swing +2.9

References

  1. ↑ Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 103.
  2. ↑ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918
  3. ↑ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918
  4. ↑ British parliamentary election results 1885-1918
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