1923 Leeds Central by-election

The 1923 Leeds Central by-election was a parliamentary by-election for the British House of Commons constituency of Leeds Central on 26 July 1923.

1923 Leeds Central by-election

26 July 1923

Candidate Wilson Slesser Stone Party Unionist Labour Liberal Popular vote 13,085 11,359 3,026 Percentage 47.6 41.4 11.0

MP before election Willey Unionist Subsequent MP Wilson Unionist

Vacancy

The by-election was caused by the death of the sitting Unionist MP, Arthur Wellesley Willey on 2 July 1923. He had been MP here since winning the seat in 1922.

Electoral history

Willey had gained the seat from the Liberals at the previous general election;

General election 1922: Leeds Central

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Unionist	Arthur Wellesley Willey	14,137	50.0	N/A
	Labour	Henry Slesser	7,844	27.8	New
	Liberal	Robert Armitage	6,260	22.2	−48.4
Majority			6,293	22.2	N/A
Turnout			28,241	66.1	+28.7
	Unionist gain from Liberal		Swing

Result

The Unionists held the seat. The Liberal share was halved with the Labour party picking up that former Liberal vote.

Leeds Central by-election, 1923

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Unionist	Charles Henry Wilson	13,085	47.6	−2.4
	Labour	Henry Slesser	11,359	41.4	+13.6
	Liberal	Gilbert Stone	3,026	11.0	−11.2
Majority			1,726	6.2	−16.0
Turnout			27,470	64.3	−1.8
	Unionist hold		Swing	-8.0

Aftermath

The result at the following General election;

General election 1923: Leeds Central

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Unionist	Charles Henry Wilson	14,853	56.2
	Labour	Henry Slesser	11,574	43.8
Majority			3,279	12.4
Turnout			26,427	60.1
	Unionist hold		Swing