The seat had become vacant on the resignation of the sitting Conservative Member of Parliament Hugh Morrison, and the by-election was won by the Conservative candidate James Despencer-Robertson.
The outgoing Conservative member Hugh Morrison had first won the seat at the 1918 general election and had held it until 1923 before regaining it the following year.
He resigned his seat on 16 February 1931, and died on 15 March 1931, aged 62.
On a reduced turnout, Despencer-Robertson held the seat for the Conservatives, with a significantly-increased majority of 6,213.
Masterman did not stand for Parliament again, but Hancock stood again three times, without success: in Lewes at the 1931 and 1935 general elections, and at the 1939 Monmouth by-election.