Polling took place on Tuesday in the Brigg division of
Lincolnshire, where a vacancy had been created by the retire• ment of Mr. Reckitt, the result, which was announced on Wednesday afternoon, being as follows:—
Sir Berkeley Sheffield (U.) „„.. 6,389 Captain Guest (L.) ... 5,273
Unionist majority 116
The conversion of a Liberal majority of 1,726 in January, 1906, into a Conservative majority of 116 in February, 1907, cannot altogether be ascribed to the popularity and local influence of Sir Berkeley Sheffield, who owns twenty square miles in the iron district of Scunthorpe. The figures show not only a falling off in the Liberal poll of 480, but an increase of 1,362 in that of the Unionists. Captain Guest is reported to have said after the result had been declared that there had been something wrong somewhere. We quite agree, and are inclined to find the cause in the persistent action of the Government in harrying a variety of interests instead of maintaining their position as the national trustees of Free. trade.
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