Rotherham by-election, 1916

Jack Pease

The Rotherham by-election was a Parliamentary by-election. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.

Vacancy

Rt Hon. Jack Pease had been Liberal MP for the seat of Rotherham since the Rotherham by-election, 1910. In 1916, he was appointed Postmaster General, an office of profit under the Crown and therefore required to seek re-election.

Electoral history

This was a safe Liberal seat and at the last General Election, Pease was re-elected comfortably;

General Election December 1910: Rotherham^[1] Electorate

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Liberal	Rt Hon. Joseph Albert Pease	9,385	67.5
	Conservative	J. H. Dransfield	4,511	32.5
Majority			4,874	35.0
Turnout				67.8
	Liberal hold		Swing

Result

Due to the war-time electoral truce between the main parties, Pease did not face a Unionist or Labour Party opponent. He was returned unopposed.

Aftermath

Pease was made Baron Gainford in 1917 which resulted in the Rotherham by-election, 1917.

References

1. British parliamentary election results 1885-1918 by Craig, F. W. S.