The by-election was caused by the death of the sitting Conservative MP, Sir Cecil Hanbury, on 10 June 1937.
At that election, an Independent 'Agriculture' candidate from a longstanding local Conservative family pushed Labour into fourth place.
William Borthwick, who was standing here for the fourth time having contested the General Elections of 1929, 1931 and 1935.
On 30 June, the Liberal campaign received early encouragement when it was announced that the party had narrowly won the 1937 St Ives by-election.
Hambro did not contest the seat again, choosing to retire at the 1945 general election when his successor was defeated by a new Liberal candidate.