The sitting Conservative MP, Sir Arthur Holland died on 7 December 1927, causing a by-election.
He had also stood as an Independent Conservative candidate at the 1927 Southend by-election, coming fourth.
He put himself forward as a candidate protesting against Baldwin's lack of leadership as Prime Minister.
He called for the introduction of protective tariffs which he argued would benefit the local shoe and boot industry.
Hailwood had taken just enough votes off the official Conservative candidate to enable Labour to win.