1910 Barnstaple by-election oppose Soares’ re-election. The feeling in the constituency was reported to the party leadership in London as being against another contest in view of what was regarded as the uncertainty of the political situation and the strong possibility of another general election in the near future. There being no other candidates putting themselves forward Soares was returned unopposed. 1910 Barnstaple by-election The Barnstaple by-election, 1910 was a parliamentary by-election held for the House of Commons constituency of Barnstaple in North Devon on 2 March 1910. The by-election was caused by the appointment of the sitting Liberal MP, Ernest Soares as
Barnstaple Victoria Road railway station was converted to standard gauge in 1881. A line was opened on 1 June 1887 from the D&SR station to the London and South Western Railway's Barnstaple Junction railway station, enabling trains from London and Taunton reverse at Barnstaple then continue on to . On 1 July 1905 a chord was opened between the two lines (thus forming a triangular junction) which enabled direct running from the Taunton line into Barnstaple Junction. This new line was mainly used on summer Saturdays; at other times through trains on the Ilfracombe line continued to reverse at the station. From 1 January 1948