A former cabinet minister, Walter Elliot had first been elected for the seat in
1924, having previously been MP for
Lanark. He had lost the seat in the Labour landslide of
1945, but after sitting as an MP for
the Scottish Universities, had fought it again in
1950 and regained it.
David Murray, who stood as a 'Liberal Home-ruler' was not officially endorsed by the
Liberal Party, but Scottish Liberal chairman
J. M. Bannerman spoke in his favour "as an individual". ==Result of the previous general election==