The 1903 South Antrim by-election was held after the sitting Unionist MP William Ellison-Macartney had left the Commons to take up the post of Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint.[1] It was retained by the Unionist candidate Charles Craig.

Vacancy

The by-election was caused by the resignation in January 1903 of the sitting Unionist MP, William Ellison-Macartney, after he had been appointed Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint.[2]

Ellison-Macartney had been the only member of parliament for the constituency since it was created in 1885. By the early 1900s, his popularity in the constituency had dropped considerably due to his reluctance to dispense favour upon Antrim during his time as a junior minister, and he was criticised by the Belfast newspaper The News Letter. A resignation for a government position was a dignified way for the government to help him out of this predicament. He later became a colonial governor.

Electoral history

Ellison-Macartney was first elected when the constituency was created in 1885, and was re-elected unopposed four times. In the 1900 election there was an independent opponent, but Ellison-Macartney won convincingly with a 9 percent margin.

1900 general election: South Antrim[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist William Ellison-Macartney 3,674 54.39 N/A
Ind. Unionist Samuel Lawther 3,081 45.61 New
Majority 593 8.78 N/A
Turnout 6,755 65.07 N/A
Registered electors 10,381
Irish Unionist hold Swing N/A

The candidates and campaign

The Unionists considered several candidates, but nominated Charles Craig, a solicitor from Belfast.

His opponent was Dr. Samuel Robert Keightley, a Russellite who was the nominee of the Ulster Farmers′ and Labourers′ Union. He was also backed by the previous independent unionist candidate, Samuel Lawther (who was by 1903 High Sheriff of Belfast).[4]

Polling and result

South Antrim by-election, 1903[3][5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Irish Unionist Charles Craig 4,464 55.25 +0.86
Russellite Unionist Samuel Robert Keightley 3,615 44.75 +44.75
Majority 849 10.50 +1.72
Turnout 8,079 78.93 +13.86
Registered electors 10,236
Irish Unionist hold Swing N/A

Craig held the seat through four subsequent general elections.

References

  1. ^ "Macartney, William Grey Ellison-1852-1924". Dictionary of Uster Biography. (via the wayBack machine). Archived from the original on 19 March 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  2. ^ "New Deputy-Master of the Royal Mint". The Times. No. 36972. London. 8 January 1903. p. 7.
  3. ^ a b Walker, B.M., ed. (1978). Parliamentary Election Results in Ireland, 1801-1922. Dublin: Royal Irish Academy. ISBN 0901714127.
  4. ^ "Election intelligence". The Times. No. 36975. London. 12 January 1903. p. 4.
  5. ^ The Constitutional Year Book, 1904, published by Conservative Central Office, page 187 (211 in web page)

External links

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