The 1903 East Perthshire by-election was a parliamentary by-election held for the UK House of Commons constituency of East Perthshire in the County of Perth on 26 February 1903.
Vacancy The by-election was caused by the resignation of the sitting Liberal MP, Sir John Kinloch.The Times, 21 May 1910 p15
Candidates The Liberals selected Thomas Buchanan,The Times, 14 February 1903 p12 a barrister by profession and a former MP for three different Scottish constituencies.
A meeting of Conservatives and Liberal Unionists took place in Perth on 13 February 1903 to decide whether or not to contest the election. It was reported that the candidate they had invited to stand had declined to do soThe Times, 14 February 1903 p12 and in the end they could not find a candidate willing to fight this traditional Liberal seat, which had been held by the Liberal Party at every election since its creation in 1885.The Times, 27 February 1903 p8
The result There being no other candidates putting themselves forward therefore, Buchanan was returned unopposed.The Constitutional Year Book, 1904, published by Conservative Central Office, page 183 (207 in web page) He told his supporters that they had 'gained one of the greatest Liberal victories in Scotland, as complete a victory as the largest majority could have given them at the poll'.The Times, 27 February 1903 p8
See also Lists of United Kingdom by-elections United Kingdom by-election records
References