Lewisham West by-election, 1938

The Lewisham West by-election, 1938 was a parliamentary by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Lewisham West on 24 November 1938.

Campaign

The by-election was the sixth after the Munich Agreement signed by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and German dictator Adolf Hitler.^[1] The National Conservative candidate, Henry Brooke, campaigned strongly in favour of Munich. Chamberlain sent a message to Brooke: "I was very pleased to hear that you had been adopted as the National Government candidate in the West Lewisham by-election. Having been brought into personal contact with you in your work I have formed a high opinion of your ability and sound judgment, and I am sure that the qualities which you possess will stand you in good stead in Parliament".^[2] In an election address, Brooke proclaimed to be a whole-hearted admirer of Chamberlain and that no one but Chamberlain "could have saved this and the world from appalling tragedy of war a few weeks ago. Had it not been for his courage, his pertinacity, and his profound faith that reason could be made to triumph, Czechoslovakia by now would have been swept out of existence, and men, women, and children indiscriminately would have been killed by the bombing of London...I warn you not to be led astray by untruths and deceptive half-truths, especially coming from those who at the last election opposed the National Government's decision to rearm, and now recklessly advocate policies which would lead straight towards war".^[3] In a second address to the electorate, Brooke declared: "To save you from another war and to establish lasting peace on a basis of justice. To help make our country so strong that she shall be treated everywhere with respect. To work to attain security of employment, and to promote the prosperity of trade and industry with that end in view". Brooke also opposed returning colonies confiscated from Germany back to her.^[4]

Arthur Skeffington, the Labour candidate, claimed that the relief that war was avoided by Munich had given way to a profound uneasiness at the way it had been achieved. He argued: "We cannot hide from ourselves that the terms secured by Hitler represented a triumph, not for reason, but for blackmail by threats of force. The democratic Czechoslovak Republic has been handed over to dismemberment and despoiled by ruthless dictatorships. But that is not all. Everywhere the people have suffered a major defeat. Hitler has gained vastly increased resources to equip him for further aggression. Not peace has been attained but only an armed truce—which is apparently to be used to pile up more armaments. No criticism of the Munich Agreement could be more damning". Skeffington claimed Labour's policy would to bring the peace-loving powers together in a real defensive combination to uphold peace and security. Effective rearmament for this and air raid precautions to protect the people were immediately necessary.^[5] His eve-of-poll message to the electorate claimed that Britain had lost the international prestige it held under Labour's Foreign Secretary Arthur Henderson through seven years of National Government and was now engaged in a diplomatic retreat with the threat of war. Skeffington said Labour would increase old age pensions, improve education and extend social services.^[6]

Result

Lewisham West by-election, 1938^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Conservative	Mr. Henry Brooke	22,587
	Labour	Mr. Arthur Skeffington	16,939
Majority			5,648
Turnout				58
	Conservative hold		Swing

United Kingdom general election, 1935^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±
	Unionist	Mr. Philip Dawson	27,123
	Labour	Mr. R. M. Stewart	14,803
Majority			12,370
Turnout				63
	Unionist hold		Swing

Notes

1. 'Polling To-Day At Lewisham', The Times (24 November 1938), p. 9.
2. 'Mr. Chamberlain And Critics Of Munich', The Times (11 November 1938), p. 9.
3. 'West Lewisham By-Election', The Times (21 November 1938), p. 18.
4. 'New Voters At Lewisham', The Times (22 November 1938), p. 19.
5. 'New Voters At Lewisham', The Times (22 November 1938), p. 19.
6. 'Polling To-Day At Lewisham', The Times (24 November 1938), p. 9.
7. 'West Lewisham Result', The Times (25 November 1938), p. 14.
8. 'West Lewisham Result', The Times (25 November 1938), p. 14.