The by-election was caused by the death of the sitting Unionist MP, Norman Carlyle Craig on 14 October 1919.

He also had the active support of Horatio Bottomley, a prominent right-wing MP who had founded the People's League in opposition to the government.

At an eve of poll meeting in support of Harmsworth, Bottomley proclaimed that he expected in about 2 years to be asked by the King to form a 'business administration'.

Despite Harmsworth's disappointing result, the issue of taxes/public spending continued to dominate the 1919-22 parliament and an Anti-Waste League was formed to rally right-wing opinion and contest future by-elections.

Bottomley was not asked to form a government by the King but was to serve at His Majesty's Pleasure for 7 years at Wormwood Scrubs.