The seat had become vacant when the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Sir Sidney Herbert had died on 22 March 1939.
The Communist party, who had not contested the seat before, chose Dr Billy Carritt.
In an attempt to revive the Popular Front strategy, Carritt stood as an Independent Progressive.
Those who came to speak for him in the constituency included Liberal MP Wilfrid Roberts, expelled Labour MPs Sir Stafford Cripps and George Strauss and other public figures such as J.B.
[1] Carritt attracted the highest ever percentage poll of any anti-Conservative candidate in this seat.