The Conservative candidate was the John Waller Hills, who had represented the City of Durham until he was defeated in the 1922 general election.
He was opposed in the by-election by the Liberal candidate John Murray, another former MP who had lost his seat in the 1923 general election in Leeds West.
Murray had subsequently fought unsuccessfully in the Kirkcaldy Burghs constituency in the 1924 general election.
During the campaign Murray openly disagreed with his own leader Lloyd George's plans for nationalization of land and the coal industry.
[1] The Conservatives held the seat; After his defeat, Murray did not stand for parliament again while Hills sought to defend Ripon at the General election.