1919 Bothwell by-election

UK Parliamentary by-election August 2019 August 2019 1919 Bothwell by-election United Kingdom by-election Popular Bothwell (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections in the 1910s 1918 1919 07 16 yes (Polling)1919 07 29 yes (Declaration) Bothwell (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections in the 1920s 1922 26,572 71.9% File:John Robertson (3x4).JPG John Robertson Labour Party (UK) 13,135 68.8% 19.7% Coalition Liberal James Moffat Coalition Liberal Coalition 5,967 31.2% New MP David MacDonald Unionist Party (Scotland) Subsequent MP John Robertson Labour Party (UK) The 1919 Bothwell by-election was held on 16 July 1919. The by-election was held due to the death of the incumbent Unionist MP, David Macdonald. It was won by the Labour candidate John Robertson.May 2021 Background The seat of Bothwell had been contest for the first time at the December 1918 general election with the Unionist candidate Macdonald defeating the Labour candidate John Robertson by just 332 (1.8%) to win the seat as part of the Coalition Government's landside. On 22 June, MacDonald died of a seizure at his residence in Uddingston, after a holiday to the Highlands.Death of Mr D. H. Macdonald. https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0001524/19190627/032/0003 5 May 2026 Bellshill Speaker 27 June 1919 Candidates Coalition Liberal On 1 July, the Bothwell Division Unionist Association and the Local Liberal agreed to unanimously nominate Coalition Liberal James Moffat as the Coalition candidate.Bothwell By-Election. CoalItion Candidate Adopted. https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0000576/19190702/105/0005 5 May 2026 Aberdeen Press and Journal 2 July 1919 5 James Moffat, managing director of the Wemyss Coal Company, Provost of Hamilton since 1913.Bothwell By-Election Polling 16 July https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19190702/320/0006 5 May 2026 The Scotsman 2 July 1919 6 Labour John Robertson, coal miner, candidate for North East Lanarkshire in 1904, 1906 & 1911 and for Bothwell in 1918 Irish Nationalists Despite speculation of an Irish Nationalist candidate contesting the seat, none did so.Bothwell By-Election Question of Coalition Candidate https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19190630/283/0006 5 May 2026 The Scotsman 30 June 1919 6 Campaign In the later stages of the campaign, the increasing price of coal was primary issue discussed by the candidates.Bothwell By-Election. Effect of Coal Decision. https://www-britishnewspaperarchive-co-uk/viewer/bl/0000174/19190714/226/0010 5 May 2026 Morning Post 14 July 1919 10 Result Bothwell by-election, 1919Whitaker's Almanack, 1920 Labour Party (UK) John Robertson 13,135 68.8 +19.7 Coalition Liberal James Moffat 5,967 31.2 New 7,168 37.6 N/A 19,102 71.9 +2.7 26,572 Labour Party (UK) Unionist Party (Scotland) N/A Aftermath Robertson successfully regained his gain at the next general election. References Bothwell by-election Bothwell by-election, 1919 Bothwell by-election Category:Politics of South Lanarkshire Category:By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Scottish constituencies