The 1922 Wolverhampton West by-election was a by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Wolverhampton West in Wolverhampton on 7 March 1922. It was won by the Coalition Conservative candidate Sir Robert Bird.

Vacancy

The seat had become vacant on when the sitting Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), Sir Alfred Bird had died at the age of 72 on 7 February 1922. He had held the seat since the January 1910 general election.

Candidates

The Conservative candidate was 45-year-old Sir Robert Bird, son of Sir Alfred. The Labour Party candidate was 49-year-old Alexander Walkden, who had contested the seat in 1918.

The Liberal Party, did not field a candidate at the last general election and decided not to do so again for the by-election. George Thorne, the Liberal MP for Wolverhampton East supported the Labour Party candidate.[1]

Result

On an increased turnout, the result was a victory for the Coalition Conservative candidate, Sir Robert Bird, although his majority was somewhat reduced from that won by his father in 1918. He held the seat until 1929, regained it in 1931, and stepped down at the 1945 general election.

Walkden stood again (unsuccessfully) at the November 1922 general election, and after contesting Heywood and Radcliffe in 1924, was elected as MP for Bristol South in 1929.

Votes

Wolverhampton West by-election, 1922
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Robert Bird 16,790 54.9 −1.9
Labour Alexander Walkden 13,799 45.1 +1.9
Majority 2,991 9.8 −3.8
Turnout 30,589 80.0 +16.7
Unionist hold Swing −1.9
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.
General election 1918: Wolverhampton West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Alfred Bird 13,329 58.8 N/A
Labour Alexander Walkden 10,158 42.2 N/A
Majority 3,171 13.6 N/A
Turnout 23,487 63.3 N/A
Unionist hold Swing N/A
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Wolverhampton By-Election." Times [London, England] 2 March 1922: 9. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 7 June 2016.

Sources

  • Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  • Historical list of MPs: W[usurped]
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