[1] The constituency returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.

John William Mellor had been Liberal MP for the seat of Sowerby since the 1892 General Election.

They easily held the seat at the last election, with a reduced majority: The local Liberal Association selected 47 year-old Accrington businessman, John Sharp Higham as their candidate to defend the seat.

[5] The local Conservative Association selected 24 year-old William Simpson-Hinchliffe as their candidate.

[6] The Liberals held the seat from the Conservatives: At the following General Election the result was: