1942 Salisbury by-election

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The 1942 Salisbury by-election was a by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Salisbury in Wiltshire on 8 July 1942. It was won by the Conservative Party candidate John Morrison, later Baron Margadale.

Contents

Vacancy

The seat had become vacant on the death of the 55-year-old sitting Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) James Despencer-Robertson. He had won the seat at a by-election in 1931, having previously been MP for Islington West from 1922 to 1923.

Candidates

The Conservative candidate was 36-year-old John Morrison.

During World War II, most by-elections were unopposed, since the major parties had agreed not to contest by-elections when vacancies arose in seats held by the other parties; contests occurred only when independent candidates or minor parties chose to stand, and the Common Wealth Party was formed with the specific aim of contesting war-time by-elections.

In Salisbury, there were two independent candidates: William Reginald Hipwell, editor of Reveille, a " barrack room newspaper for the fighting forces", [1] stood as an Independent Progressive and J. D. Monro as an "Independent Democrat".

Result

On a greatly reduced turnout, Morrison held the seat for the Conservatives, with more than two-thirds of the votes and a majority of 8,858. He held the seat until his elevation to the peerage in 1965.

Votes

Salisbury by-election, July 1942
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Morrison 12,076 67.8 3.7
Independent Progressive William Reginald Hipwell 3,21818.1New
Independent DemocratJ. D. Monro2,51914.1New
Majority 8,85849.7+6.7
Turnout 17,81339.726.5
Conservative hold Swing

Previous election

General election May 1935: Salisbury
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Despencer-Robertson 20,707 71.5 5.4
Labour E. J. Plaisted8,25928.5+5.4
Majority 12,44843.010.8
Turnout 28,96666.25.7
Conservative hold Swing 5.4

See also

References

  1. "Investigation into the affairs of W.R. Hipwell of "The Reveille"". The National Archives . Retrieved 4 September 2012.