The result of the polling in the Bootle division of
Lancashire to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Colonel Sandys was announced on Monday evening, Mr. Boner Law being returned by a majority of 2,194 votes over the Liberal candidate, Mr. Max Muspratt. An analysis of the figures shows that while the total poll has decreased by 1,065 since the general election, the Unionist majority has increased by 1,109 and the Liberal vote fallen 1,087. In a speech delivered after the declaration of the poll, Mr. Bonar Law observed that while his opponents have maintained that the election bad been fought on Tariff Reform, he had always refused to make Tariff Reform the sole issue at the election. " Just as Home Rule came more and more to the front, so the verdict of Lancashire and, in time, of England would be emphatically against it." Mr. Bonar Law's position is one which Unionist Free-Traders can thoroughly respect, even if they do not agree with his views, and his return will materially strengthen the Opposition.
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