1887 Taunton by-election

1887 Taunton by-election

← 1886 23 April 1887 (1887-04-23) 1892 →

Candidate Alfred Percy Allsopp James Harris Sanders Party Conservative Liberal Popular vote 1,426 890 Percentage 61.4% 38.3%

MP before election Samuel Charles Allsopp Conservative Subsequent MP Alfred Percy Allsopp Conservative

The 1887 Taunton by-election was held on 23 April 1887 in Taunton, Somerset, following the succession of the incumbent, Samuel Charles Allsopp, to the peerage upon the death of his father, becoming 2nd Baron Hindlip. One of Lord Hindlip's brothers, Alfred Percy Allsopp, stood for the Conservative Party, while James Harris Sanders was the candidate for the Liberal Party. Allsopp was elected, with a majority of 536 votes (23.1%).

Although they had considered not contesting the election because the area was a Conservative stronghold, the Liberals decided to do so in order to generate a discussion on the issue of Home Rule for Ireland. Allsopp was in agreement with the Conservative policy, which was to maintain full governmental control over Ireland, and pass further Coercion Acts to reduce lawlessness in that country. Sanders, who had lost two previous elections for the Liberal Party, was in favour of devolution of powers to Ireland.