The 1930 North Norfolk by-election was held on 9 July 1930. The by-election was held due to the elevation to the peerage of the incumbent Labour MP, Noel Buxton. It was held for the Labour Party by his wife, Lucy Noel-Buxton.[1]
Background
Noel Buxton had been Liberal Party for the seat until he was very narrowly defeated in 1918. After switching to Labour he regained it in 1922.[2] At the last general election, he held the seat with a majority of 1,883 votes over the second place Conservative.[3] During his time as MP Noel Buxton served as Minister of Agriculture in the First MacDonald ministry in 1924, and was reappointed to that position at the start of the Second MacDonald ministry.[3]
Result
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Lucy Noel-Buxton | 14,821 | 50.3 | +2.8 | |
| Conservative | Thomas Cook | 14,642 | 49.7 | +8.3 | |
| Majority | 179 | 0.6 | −5.5 | ||
| Turnout | 29,463 | 75.0 | −2.9 | ||
| Registered electors | 39,272 | ||||
| Labour hold | Swing | −2.8 | |||
Unlike the previous two general elections, there was no Liberal candidate in this by-election, resulting in a contest that was a straight fight between Labour and the Conservatives. Lady Noel-Buxton's narrow victory would prove to be relatively short-lived. Cook challenged her again in the next year's general election, and this time easily defeated her, winning a majority of just under 7,000 votes. The two would face off again in 1935, and Cook would again emerge the victor, albeit with a smaller majority.[2]
References
- ↑ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs
- 1 2 Craig, F. W. S. (1969). British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949. Glasgow: Political Reference Publications. p. 433. ISBN 0-900178-01-9.
- 1 2 The Times House of Commons 1929. London: The Times Office. 1929. p. 95.
- ↑ Craig, F.W.S., ed. (1969). British parliamentary election results 1918-1949. Glasgow: Political Reference Publications. p. 433. ISBN 0-900178-01-9.