The seat had become vacant when the Labour Member of Parliament, Dr Ethel Bentham, died on 19 January 1931, aged 70.

Labour selected as its candidate the 45-year-old Leah Manning, President of the National Union of Teachers.

The Conservative Party candidate was Thelma Cazalet, a 31-year-old feminist and member of the London County Council.

The Liberal candidate was Horace Crawfurd, who had been the MP for Walthamstow West from 1924 until his defeat at the 1929 general election.

The Empire Crusade had won the Paddington South by-election in October 1930, and hoped to repeat its success.