1872 Kincardineshire by-election facts for kids
The 1872 Kincardineshire by-election was a special election held in Scotland. It happened on December 10, 1872. This election was needed because the person who was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kincardineshire, James Dyce Nicol, had passed away. He was a member of the Liberal Party. In this special election, a new Liberal candidate named George Balfour won without anyone running against him.
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What is a By-Election?
A by-election is a special election that happens in a country like the United Kingdom. It is different from a general election. A general election is when everyone votes for all the Members of Parliament at the same time.
Why Do By-Elections Happen?
By-elections are held when a seat in Parliament becomes empty. This can happen for a few reasons. For example, if an MP passes away, resigns, or is no longer able to do their job. When a seat is empty, the people in that area need to choose a new representative.
What is an MP?
MP stands for Member of Parliament. An MP is a person who is elected by the people to represent them. They work in the Parliament, which is where laws are made. MPs speak for the people in their area and help make decisions for the country.
What was the Liberal Party?
The Liberal Party was a major political party in the United Kingdom during the 1800s. They believed in ideas like free trade and reforms. Many important leaders were part of the Liberal Party. They often competed with the Conservative Party.
The Kincardineshire Election of 1872
The 1872 Kincardineshire by-election was held to fill the empty seat. The previous MP, James Dyce Nicol, had died. Kincardineshire is an area in Scotland. The Liberal Party chose George Balfour to be their candidate. No other candidates ran against him. This meant he won the election automatically. When a candidate wins without anyone else running, it is called being "unopposed."
