The 1900 Plymouth by-election was held on 16 February 1900. The by-election came after the resignation of the incumbent

Conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

MP, Sir Edward Clarke. It was won unopposed by the Conservative candidate Hon. Ivor Churchill Guest.

Background

Clarke, a prominent barrister and Solicitor-General in the Conservative government of 1886–1892, had held the seat since 1880. Following the outbreak of war in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

in late 1899, Clarke had found himself in total disagreement with his party over the government's South African policy. In early February 1900 his constituency party at Plymouth formally called upon him to resign his seat, and he resigned the following day.

Candidates

Unionist

The executive of the Conservative Association suggested Hon. Ivor Guest as the Unionist candidate on 10 February, and this was confirmed by the local association two days later. No other potential candidates were mentioned. Guest was a lieutenant in the

Dorset Yeomanry The Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry was a yeomanry regiment of the British Army founded in 1794 as the Dorsetshire Regiment of Volunteer Yeomanry Cavalry in response to the growing threat of invasion during the Napoleonic wars. It gained its first ro ...

, and had volunteered for service during the

Second Boer War The Second Boer War ( af, Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, , 11 October 189931 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, the Anglo–Boer War, or the South African War, was a conflict fought between the British Empire and the two Boer Republics (the South ...

. He visited the constituency during the campaign, arriving directly from Dorchester barracks where he had been in training, and left for

shortly after the election.

Liberal

The Plymouth liberals did not choose a candidate, but referred the matter to the general council of the party. One source states that many liberals were opposed to a contest, and a majority of the council decided not to contest the election. Hon. Thomas A. Brassey had previously been mentioned as a possible candidate.

Issues

The ongoing

became the important issue, as Clarke resigned following disagreement with his own party over their policy. The local Conservative association chose an officer bound for South Africa as their candidate, and when he visited the constituency, Guest duly declared himself a strong supporter of the government.

Result

The Hon. Ivor Churchill Guest won the election unopposed at the nomination meeting on 16 February 1900.The Constitutional Year Book
1904, published by

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, page 172 (196 in web page)

References

{{By-elections to the 26th UK Parliament 1900 elections in the United Kingdom 1900 in England 19th century in Plymouth, Devon February 1900 events Elections in Plymouth, Devon By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Devon constituencies Unopposed by-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in English constituencies