1900 Holborn by-election

The Holborn by-election was a Parliamentary by-election held on 23 March 1900. ^[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.

The seat had become vacant following the death of the incumbent Conservative MP, Sir Charles Hall on 9 March. ^[2] Hall had been Member of Parliament for the constituency since an 1892 by-election.

Candidates

The Conservative candidate was James Remnant. He was unanimously selected at a meeting of the Holborn Conservative Association on Thursday 15 March. ^[3] Remnant had been the Moderate London County Council member for Holborn since 1892, and was chairman of the Theatres Committee of the council. ^[4]

It was speculated that Sir Edward Clarke might be the Conservative candidate. ^[5] Clarke had been Member of Parliament for Plymouth from 1880 until 10 February 1900, when he resigned by being appointed Steward of the Manor of Northstead. ^[6] Following the outbreak of war in South Africa in late 1899, Clarke had found himself in total disagreement with his party over the government's South African policy. In early February 1900 his constituency party at Plymouth formally called upon him to resign his seat, ^[7] and he resigned the following day. ^[8] Clarke was President of the Holborn Conservative Association. ^[9]

It was also speculated that Sir Forrest Fulton, the Common Serjeant of London, might be the Conservative candidate. ^{[10] [11]}

The Holborn Liberal and Radical Association unanimously decided on Friday 16 March not to contest the seat. ^{[12] [13]}

Result

1900 Holborn by-election ^{[14] [15] [16]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	James Remnant	Unopposed
Registered electors			10,903
	Conservative hold

References

1. Craig, F.W.S. (1987). Chronology of British Parliamentary By-elections 1833–1987. Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 93.
2. "Summary". Manchester Courier. 10 March 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
3. "Sir Edward Clarke". Western Mail. 16 March 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
4. "Election intelligence". The Times. No. 36098. London. 24 March 1900. p. 14.
5. "Sir E. Clarke and Holborn". South Wales Daily News. 10 March 1900. p. 5. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
6. "No. 27164". The London Gazette . 13 February 1900. p. 1008.
7. "Sir E. Clarke and his constituents". The Times. No. 36061. London. 9 February 1900. p. 6.
8. "Sir Edward Clarke and his constituents". The Times. No. 36062. London. 10 February 1900. p. 8.
9. "Speech by Sir Ed. Clarke". Western Mail. 13 February 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
10. "Election Intelligence". Manchester Courier. 14 March 1900. p. 8. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
11. "Society and Personal Notes". Essex Standard. 17 March 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
12. "The Holborn vacancy". Northern Whig. 17 March 1900. p. 8. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
13. "Holborn bye-election". South Wales Daily News. 17 March 1900. p. 5. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
14. Craig, F.W.S. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918. London and Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. p. 15. ISBN   978-1-349-02300-4.
15. The Constitutional Year Book for 1919. London: National Unionist Association. 1919. p. 281.
16. The Liberal Year Book for 1908. London: The Liberal Publication Department. 1908. pp. 258–259.