The Thoresby Society

 

1881 - 23rd August - by-election

H. J. Gladstone (Liberal) returned unopposed *
[* Being appointed Lord Commissioner of the Treasury he had to stand for re-election.]

Under the constitution any MP appointed to a position of emolument under the Crown, was forced to stand for re-election. This had first been enacted in 1708 during Queen Anne’s reign. Being appointed Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, Herbert Gladstone had to stand again. Once more the Conservatives felt it was pointless to oppose him but the Irish in the town had tried to find a candidate to oppose him as the Liberals were not yet committed to Home Rule and though the Liberal Government had recently passed the Irish Land Act, they had also passed another unpopular Coercion Bill. The mayor made the announcement of Gladstone’ election in a packed Victoria Hall.