The by-election was triggered by the succession to the peerage of the serving Coalition Liberal Member of Parliament (MP), William Cozens-Hardy.

South Norfolk had been a safe Liberal seat since Arthur Soames's victory in the 1898 by-election.

He had contested the 1918 general election at Clitheroe, as a Coalition Liberal coming third behind Labour and Unionist.

He won 26% of the votes, losing to the Liberal Party candidate William Cozens-Hardy.

[1] A local landowner and Norfolk county councillor, the Earl of Kimberley, endorsed Edwards.