He visited the constituency during the campaign, arriving directly from Dorchester barracks where he had been in training,[5] and left for South Africa shortly after the election.
The Plymouth Liberals did not choose a candidate, but referred the matter to the general council of the party.
[4] The ongoing Second Boer War became the important issue, as Clarke resigned following disagreement with his own party over their policy.
The local Conservative association chose an officer bound for South Africa as their candidate, and when he visited the constituency, Guest duly declared himself a strong supporter of the government.
Ivor Churchill Guest won the election unopposed at the nomination meeting on 16 February 1900.