1904 Isle of Thanet by-election


The 1904 Isle of Thanet by-election was held in the UK Parliament constituency of the Isle of Thanet on 7 October 1904, following the death of Conservative Party MP James Lowther. It was successfully defended for the Conservative party by Harry Marks.

Vacancy

Conservative Party MP James Lowther Lowther died on 12 September 1904, triggering a by-election to fill the vacancy.

Electoral history

The Isle of Thanet seat had been held by the Conservative party since its creation in 1885. In the 1900 general election Conservative candidate James Lowther was elected unopposed.

Candidates

In anticipation of a forthcoming general election, the local Liberal association, about 6 months earlier, had selected 44 year old Joseph King as their candidate. He lived in Surrey, where he had previously been elected to the county council.

Campaign

The usually Conservative supporting newspaper The Times, took a position in opposition to the Conservative candidate.

Result

Aftermath

Marks held the seat at the subsequent general election.
Marks would go on to represent the constituency until retiring in 1910.