1920 South Norfolk by-election

UK parliamentary by-election April 2022 1920 South Norfolk by-election United Kingdom by-election Popular South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections in the 1910s 1918 1920 07 27 yes (Polling)1920 08 09 yes (Declaration) South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections in the 1920s 1922 32,131 58.5% File:George Edwards (politician) 1922 (cropped).jpg George Edwards Labour Party (UK) 8,594 45.7% 10.0% Coalition Liberal James Batty Coalition Liberal Coalition 6,476 34.5% 29.8% Charles Roberts.jpg Charles Roberts Liberal Party (UK) 3,718 19.8% New MP William Cozens-Hardy Coalition Liberal Subsequent MP George Edwards Labour Party (UK) The 1920 South Norfolk by-election was a by-election held on 27 July 1920 for the British House of Commons constituency of South Norfolk. Background thumb|120px|Cozens-Hardy The by-election was triggered by the succession to the peerage of the serving Coalition Liberal Member of Parliament (MP), William Cozens-Hardy. Electoral history South Norfolk had been a safe Liberal seat since Arthur Soames's victory in the 1898 by-election. Candidates Coalition Liberal James Batty, chairman of J. Caley and Co and candidate for Clitheroe in 1918 Labour George Edwards, member of Norfolk County Council, former General Secretary of the National Agricultural Labourers and Rural Workers Union and candidate for this seat in 1918. Withdrawn candidates W. B. Taylor, farmer, lay preacher and candidate for East Norfolk in 1918SOUTH NORFOLK CANDIDATE. https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0000669/19200623/018/0001 7 May 2026 Birmingham Daily Gazette 23 June 1920 1STRAIGHT FIGHT IN SOUTH NORFOLK https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0000313/19200710/087/0006 7 May 2026 Louth and North Lincolnshire Advertiser 10 July 1920 6 Liberal thumb|120px|Charles Roberts Charles Roberts, former member for Lincoln (1906–1918), Under-Secretary of State for India (1914–1915) and Comptroller of the Household (1915–1916) Campaign With the Liberal vote was now divided and a strong Labour Party candidate in 69 year old George Edwards, who was backed by local landowner and Norfolk county councillor, the Earl of Kimberley, the Coalition Liberals appeared potentially vulnerable. Nevertheless as polling day approached it was believed that Batty was favoured to retain the seat ahead of Edwards with Roberts trailing.SOUTH NORFOLK CONTEST. HOW THE BY.ELECTION CAMPAIGN IS PROGRESSING https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0005049/19200724/169/0006 7 May 2026 London Daily Chronicle 24 July 1920 Batty recommend that those of his supporters who could not bring themselves to vote for the Coalition to support Edwards instead.The Times, 26 July 1920 Result The result was a clear win for Edwards, who picked up around 2,000 votes on a very similar turnout to the general election, and exploited the split in the Liberal vote. thumb|120px|George Edwards South Norfolk by-election, 1920 Labour Party (UK) George Edwards 8,594 45.7 +10.0 Coalition Liberal James Batty 6,476 34.5 –29.8 Liberal Party (UK) Charles Roberts 3,718 19.8 New 2,118 11.3 N/A 18,788 58.5 +2.7 32,131 –665 Labour Party (UK) Coalition Liberal +19.9 Aftermath Edwards was defeated in the next election, but won the seat again between 1923 and 1924. References The Times, 10 August 1920 See also 1898 South Norfolk by-election 1955 South Norfolk by-election List of United Kingdom by-elections (1918–1931) South Norfolk constituency South Category:1920 in England Category:1920 elections in the United Kingdom Category:20th century in Norfolk Category:July 1920 in the United Kingdom