1940 Croydon North by-election

The 1940 Croydon North by-election was a parliamentary by-election held in the House of Commons constituency of Croydon North on 19 June 1940. The seat had become vacant when the Conservative Member of Parliament Glyn Mason had resigned. Mason had held the seat since the 1922 general election.

During World War II, the major parties had formed a Coalition Government and agreed an electoral pact, whereby they would not contest by-elections in seats held by the other parties in the government. However, there was nothing to prevent other candidates from standing, and A. L. Lucas stood in Croydon North as an independent candidate.

Despite a very low turnout, the Conservative candidate Henry Willink held the seat for his party with a large majority. Lucas forfeited his deposit.

Election results

1940 Croydon North by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Henry Willink	14,163	90.7	+23.6
	Independent	Arthur Lascelles Lucas	1,445	9.3	New
Majority			12,718	81.4	+47.2
Turnout			15,608	18.3	−46.3
Registered electors
	Conservative hold		Swing

General election 1935: Croydon North

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Glyn Mason	36,383	67.1	−13.8
	Labour	Frank Mitchell	17,872	32.9	+13.8
Majority			18,511	34.2	−27.5
Turnout			54,255	64.6	−4.8
Registered electors			83,986
	Conservative hold		Swing	-13.8

See also

• Croydon North (UK Parliament constituency)
• 1948 Croydon North by-election
• Lists of United Kingdom by-elections

References

• Fred W. S. Craig. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949. Political Reference Publications, 1969