1907 Aberdeen South by-election

The 1907 Aberdeen South by-election was held on 20 February 1907. The by-election was held due to the incumbent Liberal MP, James Bryce, being appointed British Ambassador to the United States. It was won by the Liberal candidate George Esslemont.^[1]

1907 Aberdeen South by-election

← 1906 20 February 1907 Jan. 1910 →

Candidate Esslemont McNeill Bramley Party Liberal Conservative Ind. Labour Party Popular vote 3,779 3,412 1,740 Percentage 42.3% 38.2% 19.5%

MP before election James Bryce Liberal Subsequent MP George Esslemont Liberal

Fred Bramley, who stood for the "Aberdeen Labour Representation Committee", was not officially endorsed by the Labour Party or the Scottish Workers' Representation Committee.^[2]

Campaign

Esslemont, the Liberal candidate, supported extending the right to vote to women. Despite this, the Women's Social and Political Union set up a local campaign office to campaign against him. This put the WSPU in conflict with local women's suffrage campaigners who supported Esslemont.^[3]

Result

Aberdeen South by-election, 1907^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Liberal	George Esslemont	3,779	42.3	−32.1
	Conservative	Ronald McNeill	3,412	38.2	+12.6
	Ind. Labour Party	Fred Bramley	1,740	19.5	New
Majority			367	4.1	−44.7
Turnout			8,931	68.4	−1.8
	Liberal hold		Swing	-22.4