The 1910 Govan by-election was a parliamentary by-election held for the UK House of Commons constituency of the Govan Division of Lanarkshire on 28 April 1910.
Vacancy The by-election was caused by the appointment of the sitting Liberal Member of Parliament (MP), William Hunter KC as Solicitor General for Scotland.The Times, 19 April 1910 p13 Under the Parliamentary rules applicable at the time if Hunter wished to remain an MP he had to resign and fight a by-election.
Candidates The Govan Liberals re-selected Hunter to try to retain his seat which he had held since the January 1910 general election when he obtained a majority of 1,429 votes and gained the seat from the Unionists.The Times House of Commons 1910; Politico’s Publishing, 2004 p101
It was reported that the Unionists were not eager to contest a by-election and that "as a matter of courtesy" Hunter might be allowed a walkover. An added consideration was that it seemed likely a new general election would be called within a few months.The Times, 19 April 1910 p9 Representatives of the Conservatives and Liberal Unionists met on 21 April to discuss the by-election and decided not to put up a candidate.The Times, 22 April 1910 p12
Despite having contested the constituency at the previous general election, the Labour PartyThe Times House of Commons 1910; Politico’s Publishing, 2004 p101 also chose not to oppose Hunter.
The result There being no other candidates putting themselves forward, Hunter was returned unopposed.The Times, 29 April 1910 p11
See also 1889 Govan by-election 1973 Glasgow Govan by-election 1988 Glasgow Govan by-election Lists of United Kingdom by-elections United Kingdom by-election records
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