The previous Liberal MP Leslie Renton who gained the seat from the Conservatives in the 1906 general election rapidly fell out with his party and, in 1907, left the Liberals and joined the Liberal Unionists. In the election of January 1910 Renton chose not to fight the seat and Jackson won in a straight fight against the Conservatives. In 1918 Jackson fought the seat but lost to a Coalition Conservative. Following his defeat, Bentham retired from active politics.