The defeat of Lord Compton in Holborn is very satisfactory.
Lord Compton was an excellent candidate for the Gladstonians, and Mr. Gainsford Bruce was not a very brilliant candidate for the Conservatives. The Conservative registration had been neglected, and nothing could be greater than the con- fusion and the collapse of the organisation for getting at the Conservative voters. None the less Mr. Gainsford Bruce received 4,398 votes, against only 3,433 given to Lord Compton,—majority, 965. It is quite true that Colonel Duncan, the Conservative candidate in 1885, had a majority of 1,574 over Mr. Harrison, and that in 1886 he had a majority of 1,701 over Mr. Naoroji ; but then, Colonel Duncan was an immense favourite in the district, while neither of his oppo- nents were dear to the electorate. Lord Compton, on the other hand, won golden opinions, while Mr. Gainsford Brace fought at a disadvantage. Moreover, we have increased the Unionist poll since 1886 from 4,047 to 4,398; and though the Gladstonians have gained a good deal more ground, that may be adequately explained by the specially favourable conditions under which they fought. Holborn has been proved, and turns out to be a safe Unionist constituency.
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