The 1871 Durham City by-election was held on 14 January 1871. It was uncontested and retained by incumbent Liberal Party MP John Robert Davison. However, Davison died in April, and a second by-election was held later in the month.
Background The by-election was held due to Davison becoming Judge Advocate General."London, Wednesday, Jan. 4" Daily News, 4 January 1871 When an MP was appointed to certain ministerial posts then they were obliged to stand again for Parliament under the Succession to the Crown Act 1707 in what became known as a ministerial by-election.
Campaign Although Davison began a campaign for the election, he stopped after realising that there would be no opposition."The Election for South Durham" The Bradford Observer, 11 January 1871, p3, Issue 2511 However, a week before the nomination, Davison was lobbied by a nonconformist group over the recent Education Act. Davison told the group that he was unable to make a substantial comment on the issue and that he felt he should support the government's position."Durham City Election" The Evening Gazette, 9 January 1871, p3, Issue 307
Nomination The nomination took place at 11am on 14 January in Durham Town Hall."Re-election of the Judge Advocate-General at Durham" Glasgow Herald, 16 January 1871, Issue 9685 Davison was nominated by George Robson and seconded by HJ Marshall. The mayor asked whether there were any other candidates. After receiving no answer, he asked for a show of hands and declared Davison elected. Davison then thanked the attendees, which included fellow Liberal MPs Hedworth Williamson and Joseph Dodds, who represented the nearby North Durham and Stockton-on-Tees constituencies. He made a short speech in which he claimed that Prime Minister Gladstone still had the confidence of the public. and that the government had kept every promise it had made."Durham City Election" The Standard, 16 January 1871, p3 Following his speech, the town clerk read the formal declaration of election.
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