The election was caused by the bankruptcy of Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne Cornelius Homan. Although Homan had only represented the constituency since the 1924 general election, Ashton had been represented by Conservatives for many years, and Labour had never taken the seat.
Cornelius Homan's financial troubles caused his removal from his position as a Conservative Party Member of Parliament for Ashton-under-Lyne. Despite having only served in that role since 1924, Ashton had been consistently represented by Conservatives over many years, and Labour never won the seat.