The by-election was held due to the appointment of the incumbent Conservative MP, Frederick Sykes, as Governor of Bombay.
[1] At the previous two general elections (1923 and 1924) the Conservative candidate had won the seat with majorities of over 6,000 votes.
[2] After winning the by-election, Smith successfully defended the seat at the following year's general election.
On that occasion he won with an increased majority of 6,787 votes in a straight fight with a Labour candidate.
[2] At the same contest, Hobman fought Bradford North for the Liberals, but again finished in third place.