Irish trade unionist and secretary of the Irish Labour Party, William O'Brien, was interned by Britain for his role in the conflict, and he decided to stand in the by-election as a platform for his cause, and in an attempt to embarrass the British Labour Party into action. On the ballot, he insisted that he was described as the "Irish Republican Workers Party" candidate, even though no such organisation existed. In Parliament, Joseph Kenworthy called for O'Brien's release to contest the by-election, a call supported by Labour candidate Money, citing the example of John Maclean. Home Secretary Edward Shortt rejected this option. With a total of seven candidates, the Stockport by-election set a new record, not equalled until the 1962 South Dorset by-election and not beaten until the 1976 Walsall North by-election. Results Greenwood and Fildes achieved a clear victory, their similar tally of votes suggesting that most coalition supporters had indeed voted for both candidates. Money's profile enabled him to take third place, some six thousand votes behind, with Perry further back. The difference in their votes was around 1,500, much of this being explained by the 1,000 voters who had supported Money and O'Brien – very few opting for O'Brien and any other candidate. The Anti-Waste candidates attracted little support, but both were able to beat O'Brien. Labour were disappointed not to take a seat, particularly as O'Brien's intervention had not taken enough votes to explain their defeat. Perhaps in part as a result of the by-election, they moved their position to more actively support the Irish labour movement. Greenwood and Fildes both held their seats at the 1922 general election, while O'Brien was elected as TD for Dublin South the same year. Perry was eventually elected as MP for Kettering at the 1923 general election. Votes References John McHugh, The Stockport by-election of 1920 See also Stockport constituency Stockport 1925 Stockport by-election List of United Kingdom by-elections (1918–1931) By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Greater Manchester constituencies 1920 elections in the United Kingdom 1920 in England 20th century in Cheshire Politics of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport By-elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in Cheshire constituencies