1903 Belfast West by-election

The Belfast West by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 23 October 1903.[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

Under the provisions of the Succession to the Crown Act of 1707 and a number of subsequent Acts, MPs appointed to certain ministerial and legal offices were at this time required to seek re-election.[2] The by-election in Belfast West was caused by the appointment on 6 October 1903 of the sitting Liberal Unionist MP, H. O. Arnold-Forster as Secretary of State for War.[3]

Arnold-Forster had been Member of Parliament for the constituency since the 1892 general election.

Candidates

The Liberal Unionist Party re-selected H.O. Arnold-Forster to defend the seat. Arnold-Forster did not return to Belfast during the campaign, having strained his heart.[4] It was announced that he was ill in London, but that he attended the War Office daily.[5]

The Nationalist candidate was Patrick Dempsey. Dempsey was a businessman and the brother of Alexander Dempsey, a senior hospital consultant and of Belfast Alderman James Dempsey.[5] He was selected by a nominating convention of the United Irish League attended by John Redmond MP.[5] His candidacy was announced only three days before polling.[5][6][7]

Result

The result was declared on Saturday 24 October, the count being postponed overnight to prevent rioting.[8][9]

1903 Belfast West by-election[10][11][12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Unionist H. O. Arnold-Forster 3,912 51.6
Irish Parliamentary Patrick Dempsey 3,671 48.4
Majority 241 3.2
Turnout 7,583 88.0
Registered electors 8,617
Liberal Unionist hold Swing

References
  1. Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 294.
  2. F W S Craig, British Parliamentary Election Results, 1885-1918; Macmillan Press, 1974 p. xiv
  3. "No. 27603". The London Gazette. 6 October 1903. p. 6087.
  4. Arnold-Forster, Mary (1910). The Right Honorable Hugh Oakeley Arnold-Forster. A Memoir by his wife. London: Edward Arnold. pp. 233–234.
  5. Hepburn, Anthony C. (2008). Catholic Belfast and Nationalist Ireland in the Era of Joe Devlin, 1871-1934. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-19-929884-6.
  6. "Opposition to Foster". The Bunbury Herald. Bunbury, West Australia. 21 October 1903. p. 2. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  7. "The Belfast West Election". The Bairnsdale Advertiser. 22 October 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  8. "Ministers Re-Elected". Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times. 29 October 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  9. "Bye-Election Results". Cardiff Times and South Wales Weekly News. 31 October 1903. p. 6. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. Walker, Brian Mercer (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. p. 164. ISBN 0-901714-12-7.
  11. The Liberal Year Book for 1908. London: The Liberal Publication Department. 1908. pp. 216–217.
  12. "The Belfast Seat". The North-Western Advocate and the Emu Bay Times. Devonport, Tasmania. 28 October 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
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