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.

[5] After their initial uncertainty, the Liberals opted to give the Taunton electorate the opportunity to show their views on Home Rule, and chose James Harris Sanders, of London, as their candidate.

The Taunton Courier noted that at one dinner, he "made a great impression by the perspicacity of his utterances, by the breadth of view they indicated, and by his fluency of speech.

Sanders had previously stood in the 1886 general election in Harborough, South Leicestershire, and in the King's Lynn by-election in the same year, losing both.

The Western Times described him as "an unexceptionable candidate", while the Taunton Courier elaborated on his past election performances, and commented that he was "becoming accustomed to acting as a political ninepin".

William Ewart Gladstone, the Liberal Prime Minister, proposed the First Home Rule Bill in April 1886, aiming to devolve power to Ireland.

He called upon the people of Taunton to show that they "disapproved of the murders, and robberies, and outrages which were so common in Ireland, and were not prepared to hand over to the instigators of those crimes the government of that island.

"[11] Allsopp did not initially campaign heavily, while he grieved for his father, but he did leave an advert in the Taunton Courier stating his support for the Conservative government's position on the administration of Ireland.

At a meeting shortly thereafter, Sanders seconded a resolution raised by a fellow Liberal member protesting "against the attempt to impose coercion upon Ireland for ever.

The Taunton Courier reported that party colours of both sides were on display, but that there was more "Conservative blue" than the tri-colour and Union Jack of the Liberals.

During that speech, Allsopp thanked the people of Taunton, and gently mocked Sanders for the money he had banked in case of corruption.