1952 Dundee East by-election

UK parliamentary by-election February 2018 February 2018 The 1952 Dundee East by-election was held on 17 July 1952, due to the death in a road accident of the incumbent Labour MP, Thomas Cook. It was won by the Labour candidate George Thomson. D 4 June 2021 Background Thomas Cook had been an MP for Dundee East since its creation in 1950, having previously represented the old two-member Dundee seat. On 31 May 1952 he was travelling between Arbroath and Dundee when his car left the road, struck a tree and went over a low wall in to a field, killing him instantly.Death of Scots Labour MP. Mr Thomas Cook Killed in Road Accident https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19520602&printsec=frontpage&hl=en 13 August 2018 The Glasgow Herald 2 June 1952 5 Reporting Cook's death, The Glasgow Herald speculated that Labour should fairly safely hold the seat in the by-election to follow, arguing that while until October 1951 the seat might have been considered marginal, Cook's holding of it against a strong campaign suggested that the seat could now be considered a safe one for Labour. However the newspaper opined that the strength of Labour's majority would give some indication as to the extent of the "alleged unpopularity" of the Conservative Government. Candidates Labour selected 31 year old George Morgan Thomson, who was originally from nearby Monifieth and had been educated at Broughty Ferry's Grove Academy.Socialists Chose Candidate Courier and Advertiser 17 June 1952 Dundee 2 The Dundee Unionist and Liberal National Association selected Paul Cowcher, who had contested Glasgow Maryhill at the previous year's general election. Cowcher had previously served in the Royal Navy.To Contest Dundee East - Unionist and Liberal National Choice Courier and Advertiser 21 June 1952 Dundee 2 The Scottish National Party's unsuccessful candidate, Donald Stewart, would later be the SNP's first MP elected at a General Election when he won the Western Isles seat at the 1970 general election. An independent candidate, E. G. MacFarlane described himself as the representative of the World Parliament Party and claimed to be the first candidate in world history to offer voters the chance of supporting the creation of an international federation.Candidate Wears Boxing-Gloves https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19520717&printsec=frontpage&hl=en 12 January 2018 The Glasgow Herald 17 July 1952 On the eve of the poll, both Thomson and the Conservative and National Liberal candidate Paul Cowcher declared themselves confident of victory. Stewart stated he had enjoyed his campaign and believed it would lead to the 'consolidation of nationalist activities' in Dundee. Thomson's final election meeting was held at Dundee's Premierland Boxing Stadium, where he wore boxing gloves and spoke from the ring. Result Dundee East by-election, 1952http://www.by-elections.co.uk/52.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120225141840/http://www.by-elections.co.uk/52.html 1952 By Election Results 2012-02-25 dead 2015-08-13 Labour Party (UK) George Thomson 22,161 56.64 +2.80 Conservative and National Liberal Paul Cowcher 14,035 35.87 -10.29 Scottish National Party Donald Stewart 2,931 7.49 New Independent (politician) E G MacFarlane 290 0.74 New 8,126 20.77 +13.09 39,127 Labour Party (UK) Thomson considered his victory, and the fall in the Conservative vote, represented a vote of no confidence in the Government. Crowcher blamed the fall in the Conservative vote on unemployment in the local textile industry and felt people had yet to realise that 'unpopular measures' taken by the Government were in their best interests. Stewart admitted to being 'a little disappointed' that people who had indicated they supported Scottish nationalism did not all vote for him.Labour Double Dundee Majority https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=GGgVawPscysC&dat=19520719&printsec=frontpage&hl=en 12 January 2018 The Glasgow Herald 19 July 1952 Thomson would hold the seat with a reduced majority of 4,040 votes at the next general election in 1955.Craig F. W. S. British parliamentary Election Results 1950-1970 1971 Political Reference Publications Chichester 0-900178-02-7 596 References Dundee East by-election Dundee East by-election Category:1950s elections in Scotland Category:1950s in Dundee Dundee East by-election Category:By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Scottish constituencies East 1952