1900 General Election

The Khaki election

26 September – 24 October 1900 · The Mass Franchise · 670 seats, 336 for a majority

Called at the high tide of Boer War patriotism, an early example of an opportunistic wartime dissolution. Salisbury held his majority; a young Labour Representation Committee won its first two seats.

Prime Minister before

Marquess of Salisbury

Conservative

Prime Minister (continued)

Marquess of Salisbury

Conservative

Government formed

Conservative

Turnout

75.1%

The result

Sort by

Conservative and Liberal Unionist

Marquess of Salisbury · 50.2%

402

seats

Liberal

Henry Campbell-Bannerman · 45.1%

183

seats

Irish Parliamentary

John Redmond · 1.8%

seats

Labour Repr. Cmte.

Keir Hardie · 1.3%

seats


Conservative and Liberal Unionist	Marquess of Salisbury	402	1,637,683	50.2%	+0.9
Liberal	Henry Campbell-Bannerman	183	1,469,500	45.1%	-0.5
Irish Parliamentary	John Redmond	76	57,576	1.8%	-2.1
Labour Repr. Cmte.	Keir Hardie	2	41,900	1.3%	—

Before 1918, party labels were looser and many seats went uncontested, so vote totals and shares understate real support. Seat counts are the reliable measure.