Finlay stood again in the Liberal Unionist interest. The Liberal Party had held the seat from 1892, when Gilbert Beith took it from Finlay, until the general election of 1895 when Finlay had regained it. Beith had stood down and the Liberals had a new candidate, Henry Bell.[3] But on 26 August 1895, the local Liberal Association held a meeting to consider whether or not to oppose Finlay and it was unanimously agreed not to field a candidate.[4]
There being no other nominations therefore, Finlay was returned unopposed.[5][6]