1942 Salisbury by-election

The Salisbury by-election, 1942 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.

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
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative John Morrison 12,076 67.8 −3.7
Independent Progressive William Reginald Hipwell 3,218 18.1 N/A
Independent Democrat J. D. Monro 2,519 14.1 N/A
Majority 8,858 49.7 +6.7
Turnout 17,813 39.7 −26.5
Conservative hold Swing
General election May 1935: Salisbury
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative James Despencer-Robertson 20,707 71.5 −5.4
Labour E. J. Plaisted 8,259 28.5 +5.4
Majority 12,448 43.0 −10.8
Turnout 28,966 66.2 −5.7
Conservative hold Swing −5.4
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See also

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