List of United Kingdom by-elections (1979–2010)

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There were 131 parliamentary by-elections in the United Kingdom between the 1979 and 2010 general elections. In the list below, the names of the incumbent and victor and their respective parties are given. Where seats changed political party at the election, the result is highlighted: blue for a Conservative gain, red for a Labour gain, yellow for an SNP gain, orange for a Liberal, Social Democratic Party or Liberal Democrat gain and other colours for other gains.

Resignations

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Where the cause of by-election is given as "resignation" or "seeks re-election", this indicates that the incumbent was appointed on his or her own request to an "office of profit under the Crown", either the Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds or the Steward of the Manor of Northstead. Accepting an office of profit under the Crown vacates the member's seat. This process is used because members of the House of Commons are not technically permitted to resign. A member who resigns in this manner may stand for re-election.

By-elections

2005–2010 Parliament

There were 14 by-elections in the 2005–2010 Parliament. Eight were in seats held by the governing Labour party, three by the Conservatives, one by the Liberal Democrats, one by an independent and one by the speaker. Eight by-elections were won by the incumbent party, including in Haltemprice and Howden where Conservative David Davis resigned to recontest his seat. Meanwhile, Blaenau Gwent was won by a second independent candidate. Labour lost four seats; two to the Conservatives, one to the Liberal Democrats and one to the SNP. The speaker's seat was regained by Labour, the party speaker Michael Martin represented before he took up the position in a previous constituency. Eight by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MP - five Labour MPs died, along with one Liberal Democrat, one Conservative and independent MP Peter Law.

At the dissolution of Parliament in 2010 there were three vacancies: North West Leicestershire and Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, caused by the death of their respective Labour members David Taylor and Ashok Kumar; and Strangford caused by the resignation of the DUP's Iris Robinson. With the close proximity of the 2010 general election, by-elections were not held in these seats. Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland and Strangford were held by Tom Blenkinsop and Jim Shannon respectively, but North West Leicestershire was won by Conservative Andrew Bridgen.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Glasgow North East[54 1] 12 November 2009 Michael Martin style="width: 5px; background-color: white;" data-sort-value="Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)" | Speaker Willie Bain style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Resignation
Norwich North[54 1] 23 July 2009 Ian Gibson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Chloe Smith style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Resignation
Glenrothes 6 November 2008 John MacDougall style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Lindsay Roy style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (mesothelioma)
Glasgow East[54 2] 24 July 2008 David Marshall style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour John Mason style="width: 5px; background-color: #FFFF00;" data-sort-value="Scottish National Party" | SNP Resignation due to ill health
Haltemprice and Howden 10 July 2008 David Davis style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative David Davis style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Resigned to recontest
Henley 26 June 2008 Boris Johnson style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative John Howell style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Election as Mayor of London
Crewe and Nantwich[54 1] 22 May 2008 Gwyneth Dunwoody style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Edward Timpson style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (heart attack)
Sedgefield 19 July 2007 Tony Blair style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Phil Wilson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Resignation on appointment as Middle East Envoy
Ealing Southall 19 July 2007 Piara Khabra style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Virendra Sharma style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (liver problems)
Bromley and Chislehurst 29 June 2006 Eric Forth style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Bob Neill style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (cancer)
Blaenau Gwent 29 June 2006 Peter Law style="width: 5px; background-color: #DDDDDD;" data-sort-value="Independent (politician)" | Independent Dai Davies style="width: 5px; background-color: #DDDDDD;" data-sort-value="Independent (politician)" | Independent Death (cancer)
Dunfermline and West Fife[54 2] 9 February 2006 Rachel Squire style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Willie Rennie style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (cancer/stroke)
Livingston 29 September 2005 Robin Cook style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Jim Devine style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart disease)
Cheadle 14 July 2005 Patsy Calton style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Mark Hunter style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (cancer)
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gain retained at the 2010 general election.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Gain not retained at the 2010 general election.

2001–2005 Parliament

There were six by-elections in the 2001–2005 Parliament. Each were in seats held by the governing Labour party, four of which were held and two won by the Liberal Democrats. Four by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MP.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Hartlepool 30 September 2004 Peter Mandelson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Iain Wright style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Resignation on appointment as European Commissioner
Birmingham Hodge Hill 15 July 2004 Terry Davis style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Liam Byrne style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Resignation on appointment as Secretary-General of the Council of Europe
Leicester South[53 1] 15 July 2004 Jim Marshall style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Parmjit Singh Gill style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (heart attack)
Brent East[53 2] 18 September 2003 Paul Daisley style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Sarah Teather style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (cancer)
Ogmore 14 February 2002 Sir Raymond Powell style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Huw Irranca-Davies style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (unknown; probable asthma attack)
Ipswich 22 November 2001 Jamie Cann style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Chris Mole style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (liver disease)
  1. Gain not retained at the 2005 general election.
  2. Gain retained at the 2005 general election.

1997–2001 Parliament

There were 17 by-elections in the 1997–2001 Parliament. Eight were in seats held by the governing Labour party, five by the Conservatives, one by the Liberal Democrats, one by Plaid Cymru, one by the Ulster Unionist Party and one by the speaker. 14 by-elections were won by the incumbent party. The Conservatives lost one seat to the Liberal Democrats, and the Democratic Unionist Party gained South Antrim from the Ulster Unionists. The speaker's seat was regained by Labour, the party speaker Betty Boothroyd represented before she took up the position. Ten by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MP; six were Labour, three Conservative and one was the Ulster Unionist MP Clifford Forsythe.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Falkirk West 21 December 2000 Dennis Canavan style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour/ Independent[52 1] Eric Joyce style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Resignation in order to concentrate on his role as a Member of the Scottish Parliament
West Bromwich West 23 November 2000 Betty Boothroyd style="width: 5px; background-color: white;" data-sort-value="Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)" | Speaker[52 2] Adrian Bailey style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Life peerage
Preston 23 November 2000 Audrey Wise style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Mark Hendrick style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
Glasgow Anniesland 23 November 2000 Donald Dewar style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour John Robertson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (Brain haemorrhage after heart surgery)
South Antrim 21 September 2000[52 3] Clifford Forsythe style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP William McCrea style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP Death (sudden illness)
Tottenham 22 June 2000 Bernie Grant style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour David Lammy style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Romsey 4 May 2000[52 4] Michael Colvin style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Sandra Gidley style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (accidental fire)
Ceredigion 3 February 2000 Cynog Dafis style="width: 5px; background-color: #008142;" data-sort-value="Plaid Cymru" | Plaid Cymru Simon Thomas style="width: 5px; background-color: #008142;" data-sort-value="Plaid Cymru" | Plaid Cymru Resignation following election to the Welsh Assembly
Kensington and Chelsea 25 November 1999 Alan Clark style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Michael Portillo style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (cancer)
Wigan 23 September 1999 Roger Stott style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Neil Turner style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (long illness)
Hamilton South 23 September 1999 George Robertson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Bill Tynan style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Life peerage upon appointment as Secretary-General of NATO
Eddisbury 22 July 1999 Alastair Goodlad style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Stephen O'Brien style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Appointment as High Commissioner to Australia
Leeds Central 10 June 1999 Derek Fatchett style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Hilary Benn style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Winchester 20 November 1997 Mark Oaten style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Mark Oaten style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Void election
Beckenham 20 November 1997 Piers Merchant style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Jacqui Lait style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Resignation (scandal)
Paisley South 6 November 1997 Gordon McMaster style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Douglas Alexander style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (suicide)
Uxbridge 31 July 1997 Sir Michael Shersby style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative John Randall style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (heart attack)
  1. Dennis Canavan was elected as a Labour MP from Feb 1974 onwards but in 1999 left the party when he was not selected as a Labour candidate for the Scottish Parliament and instead successfully stood as an independent.
  2. Betty Boothroyd had originally been elected as a Labour MP.
  3. Gain not retained at the 2001 general election.
  4. Gain retained at the 2001 general election.

1992–1997 Parliament

There were 18 by-elections in the 1992–1997 Parliament. Eight were in seats held by the governing Conservative party, nine by Labour and one by the Ulster Popular Unionist Party. Nine by-elections were won by the incumbent party, all of which happened to be Labour. The Conservatives lost all eight seats in the by-elections - four to the Liberal Democrats, three to Labour and one to the SNP. The UK Unionist Party gained North Down from the Ulster Popular Unionists. 16 by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MP - eight Conservatives died, along with seven Labour MPs and the Ulster Popular Unionist MP Sir James Kilfedder.

At the dissolution of Parliament in 1997 there were two vacancies: Meriden, caused by the death of its Conservative member Iain Mills, and Don Valley, caused by the death of its Labour member Martin Redmond. With the close proximity of the 1997 general election, by-elections were not held in these seats. They were held by Caroline Spelman and Caroline Flint respectively.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Wirral South 27 February 1997[51 1] Barry Porter style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Ben Chapman style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
Barnsley East 12 December 1996 Terry Patchett style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Jeff Ennis style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
South East Staffordshire 11 April 1996[51 1] Sir David Lightbown style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Brian Jenkins style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Hemsworth 1 February 1996 Derek Enright style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Jon Trickett style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
Littleborough and Saddleworth 27 July 1995[51 2] Geoffrey Dickens style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Chris Davies style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (long illness)
North Down 15 June 1995[51 1] Sir James Kilfedder style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffdead;" data-sort-value="Ulster Popular Unionist Party" | Ulster Popular Unionist Robert McCartney style="width: 5px; background-color: #660066;" data-sort-value="UK Unionist Party" | UK Unionist Death (heart attack)
Perth and Kinross 25 May 1995[51 1] Sir Nicholas Fairbairn style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Roseanna Cunningham style="width: 5px; background-color: #FFFF00;" data-sort-value="Scottish National Party" | SNP Death (liver cirrhosis)
Islwyn 16 February 1995 Neil Kinnock style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Don Touhig style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Appointment as European Commissioner
Dudley West 15 December 1994[51 1] John Blackburn style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Ian Pearson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Monklands East 30 June 1994 John Smith style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Helen Liddell style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Newham North East 9 June 1994 Ron Leighton style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Stephen Timms style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Eastleigh 9 June 1994[51 1] Stephen Milligan style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative David Chidgey style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (auto-erotic asphyxiation)
Dagenham 9 June 1994 Bryan Gould style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Judith Church style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waikato, New Zealand
Bradford South 9 June 1994 Bob Cryer style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Gerry Sutcliffe style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (road accident)
Barking 9 June 1994 Jo Richardson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Margaret Hodge style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (long illness)
Rotherham 5 May 1994 Jimmy Boyce style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Denis MacShane style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Christchurch 29 July 1993[51 3] Robert Adley style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Diana Maddock style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (heart attack)
Newbury 6 May 1993[51 1] Judith Chaplin style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative David Rendel style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (complications following surgery)
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Gain retained at the 1997 general election.
  2. Littleborough and Saddleworth was abolished in boundary changes taking effect from 1997. Davies contested the successor seat of Oldham East and Saddleworth for the Liberal Democrats but lost to Labour.
  3. Gain not retained at the 1997 general election.

1987–1992 Parliament

There were 24 by-elections in the 1987–1992 Parliament. Ten were in seats held by the governing Conservative party, 13 by Labour and one by the Ulster Unionist Party. 16 by-elections were won by the incumbent party. Labour lost one seat to the SNP, and the Conservatives lost seven seats; four to Labour and three to the Liberal Democrats. 20 by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MP - 11 Labour MPs died, along with eight Conservatives and Ulster Unionist Harold McCusker.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Langbaurgh 7 November 1991[50 1] Richard Holt style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Ashok Kumar style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Kincardine and Deeside 7 November 1991[50 1] Alick Buchanan-Smith style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Nicol Stephen style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death
Hemsworth 7 November 1991 George Buckley style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Derek Enright style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Liverpool Walton 4 July 1991 Eric Heffer style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Peter Kilfoyle style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
Monmouth 16 May 1991[50 1] Sir John Stradling Thomas style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Huw Edwards style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Neath 4 April 1991 Donald Coleman style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Peter Hain style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Ribble Valley 7 March 1991[50 1] David Waddington style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Michael Carr style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Life peerage on appointment as Leader of the House of Lords
Paisley South 29 November 1990 Norman Buchan style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Gordon McMaster style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Paisley North 29 November 1990 Allen Adams style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Irene Adams style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (brain haemorrhage)
Bradford North 8 November 1990 Pat Wall style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Terry Rooney style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (long illness)
Bootle 8 November 1990 Michael Carr style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Joseph Benton style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Eastbourne 18 October 1990[50 1] Ian Gow style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative David Bellotti style="width: 5px; background-color: #FDBB30;" data-sort-value="Liberal Democrats (UK)" | Liberal Democrat Death (terrorism)
Knowsley South 27 September 1990 Sean Hughes style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Edward O'Hara style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
Bootle 24 May 1990 Allan Roberts style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Michael Carr style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (cancer)
Upper Bann 17 May 1990 Harold McCusker style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP David Trimble style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Death (cancer)
Mid Staffordshire 22 March 1990[50 1] John Heddle style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Sylvia Heal style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (suicide)
Vauxhall 15 June 1989 Stuart Holland style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Kate Hoey style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Appointment to the European University Institute, Florence
Glasgow Central 15 June 1989 Bob McTaggart style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Mike Watson style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (heart attack)
Vale of Glamorgan 4 May 1989[50 1] Sir Raymond Gower style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative John Smith style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Richmond 23 February 1989 Leon Brittan style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative William Hague style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Appointment as European Commissioner
Pontypridd 23 February 1989 Brynmor John style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Kim Howells style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (chronic fatigue syndrome)
Epping Forest 15 December 1988 Sir John Biggs-Davison style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Steven Norris style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death
Glasgow Govan 10 November 1988[50 1] Bruce Millan style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Jim Sillars style="width: 5px; background-color: #FFFF00;" data-sort-value="Scottish National Party" | SNP Appointment as European Commissioner
Kensington 14 July 1988 Sir Brandon Rhys Williams, Bt. style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Dudley Fishburn style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (leukaemia)
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Gain not retained at the 1992 general election.

1983–1987 Parliament

There were 31 by-elections in the 1983–1987 Parliament. Nine were in seats held by the governing Conservative party, six by Labour and one by the Liberals. The remaining 15 were in Northern Ireland, involving the province's own political parties. 25 by-elections were won by the incumbent party, including all in Northern Ireland except one. The Conservatives lost five seats; one to Labour, two to the Liberals, and two to the Social Democrats. The Ulster Unionists lost one seat to the Social Democratic and Labour Party. 11 by-elections were the result of the death of the incumbent MP; seven were Conservatives, three Labour and one Liberal.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Truro 12 March 1987 David Penhaligon style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffd700;" data-sort-value="Liberal Party (UK)" | Liberal Matthew Taylor style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffd700;" data-sort-value="Liberal Party (UK)" | Liberal Death (road accident)
Greenwich 26 February 1987[49 1] Guy Barnett style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Rosie Barnes style="width: 5px; background-color: #7D26CD;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic Party (UK)" | Social Democratic Death
Knowsley North 13 November 1986 Robert Kilroy-Silk style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour George Howarth style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour New BBC TV presenter career
Newcastle-under-Lyme 17 July 1986 John Golding style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Llin Golding style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Appointment as General Secretary of the National Communications Union
Ryedale 8 May 1986[49 2] John Spence style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Elizabeth Shields style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffd700;" data-sort-value="Liberal Party (UK)" | Liberal Death
West Derbyshire 8 May 1986 Matthew Parris style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Patrick McLoughlin style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Appointment as presenter of LWT programme Weekend World
Fulham 10 April 1986[49 2] Martin Stevens style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Nick Raynsford style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Upper Bann 23 January 1986 Harold McCusker style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Harold McCusker style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Strangford 23 January 1986 John Taylor style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP John Taylor style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Newry & Armagh 23 January 1986[49 1] James Nicholson style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Seamus Mallon style="width: 5px; background-color: #99FF66;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic and Labour Party" | SDLP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
North Antrim 23 January 1986 Ian Paisley style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP Ian Paisley style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
East Antrim 23 January 1986 Roy Beggs style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Roy Beggs style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
South Antrim 23 January 1986 Clifford Forsythe style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Clifford Forsythe style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Belfast North 23 January 1986 Cecil Walker style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Cecil Walker style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Belfast East 23 January 1986 Peter Robinson style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP Peter Robinson style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Belfast South 23 January 1986 Martin Smyth style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Martin Smyth style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
North Down 23 January 1986 James Kilfedder style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffdead;" data-sort-value="Ulster Popular Unionist Party" | Ulster Popular Unionist James Kilfedder style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffdead;" data-sort-value="Ulster Popular Unionist Party" | Ulster Popular Unionist Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
South Down 23 January 1986[49 3] Enoch Powell style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Enoch Powell style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Fermanagh & South Tyrone 23 January 1986 Ken Maginnis style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Ken Maginnis style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Lagan Valley 23 January 1986 James Molyneaux style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP James Molyneaux style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
East Londonderry 23 January 1986 William Ross style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP William Ross style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Mid Ulster 23 January 1986 William McCrea style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP William McCrea style="width: 5px; background-color: #D46A4C;" data-sort-value="Democratic Unionist Party" | DUP Sought re-election in opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement
Tyne Bridge 5 December 1985 Harry Cowans style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour David Clelland style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Brecon and Radnor 4 July 1985[49 1] Tom Hooson style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Richard Livsey style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffd700;" data-sort-value="Liberal Party (UK)" | Liberal Death (heart attack)
Enfield Southgate 13 December 1984 Sir Anthony Berry style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Michael Portillo style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (terrorism)
Portsmouth South 14 June 1984[49 2] Bonner Pink style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Mike Hancock style="width: 5px; background-color: #7D26CD;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic Party (UK)" | Social Democratic Death
South West Surrey 3 May 1984 Viscount Macmillan of Ovenden style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Virginia Bottomley style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (heart failure)
Stafford 3 May 1984 Sir Hugh Fraser style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Bill Cash style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (lung cancer)
Cynon Valley 3 May 1984 Ioan Evans style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Ann Clwyd style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Chesterfield 1 March 1984 Eric Varley style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Tony Benn style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Appointment as Chairman of Coalite PLC
Penrith and the Border 28 July 1983 William Whitelaw style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative David Maclean style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Hereditary peerage on appointment as Leader of the House of Lords
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Gain retained at the 1987 general election.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gain not retained at the 1987 general election.
  3. Enoch Powell retained the seat for the Ulster Unionists in the by-election but lost it to the Social Democratic and Labour Party at the 1987 general election.

1979–1983 Parliament

There were 20 by-elections in the 1979–1983 Parliament. Seven were in seats held by the governing Conservative party, ten by Labour, one by the Ulster Unionists and two (in the same seat) by Irish republican parties, who do not take up their seats in the House of Commons. 13 by-elections were won by the incumbent party. The Conservatives lost four seats: one to Labour, one to the Liberals and two to the Social Democrats, and Labour lost two seats: one to the Liberals and one to the Conservatives. Meanwhile, the seat of Fermanagh and South Tyrone was won from the Independent Republican Party by Anti H-Block, a branch of Sinn Féin. 15 by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MP; six were Conservatives, six Labour, and the others were the Ulster Unionist Robert Bradford, the Independent Republican Frank Maguire and the Anti H-Block member Bobby Sands (who was in prison).

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Darlington 24 March 1983[48 1] Edward Fletcher style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Oswald O'Brien style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Bermondsey 24 February 1983[48 2] Robert Mellish style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour/Ind Labour Simon Hughes style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffd700;" data-sort-value="Liberal Party (UK)" | Liberal Resignation (dispute with party)
Glasgow Queen's Park 2 December 1982 Frank McElhone style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Helen McElhone style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Peckham 28 October 1982 Harry Lamborn style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Harriet Harman style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Birmingham Northfield 28 October 1982[48 3] Jocelyn Cadbury style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative John Spellar style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (suicide)
Gower 16 September 1982 Ifor Davies style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Gareth Wardell style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Coatbridge and Airdrie 24 June 1982 James Dempsey style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Thomas Clarke style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death
Mitcham and Morden 3 June 1982[48 4] Bruce Douglas-Mann style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour/Ind SDP Angela Rumbold style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Sought re-election upon change of party allegiance
Beaconsfield 27 May 1982 Sir Ronald Bell style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Tim Smith style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death
Glasgow Hillhead 25 March 1982[48 2] Sir Thomas Galbraith style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Roy Jenkins style="width: 5px; background-color: #7D26CD;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic Party (UK)" | Social Democratic Death
Belfast South 4 March 1982 Robert Bradford style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Martin Smyth style="width: 5px; background-color: #9999FF;" data-sort-value="Ulster Unionist Party" | UUP Death (killed by IRA)
Crosby 26 November 1981[48 3] Sir Graham Page style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Shirley Williams style="width: 5px; background-color: #7D26CD;" data-sort-value="Social Democratic Party (UK)" | Social Democratic Death
Croydon North West 22 October 1981[48 3] Robert Taylor style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Bill Pitt style="width: 5px; background-color: #ffd700;" data-sort-value="Liberal Party (UK)" | Liberal Death
Fermanagh & South Tyrone 20 August 1981[48 5] Bobby Sands style="width: 5px; background-color: #008800;" data-sort-value="Anti H-Block" | Anti H-Block Owen Carron style="width: 5px; background-color: #008800;" data-sort-value="Anti H-Block" | Anti H-Block Death (hunger strike)
Warrington 16 July 1981 Sir Thomas Williams style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Douglas Hoyle style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Appointment as High Court judge
Fermanagh & South Tyrone 9 April 1981[48 5] Frank Maguire style="width: 5px; background-color: #00FF00;" data-sort-value="Independent Republican (Ireland)" | Independent Republican Bobby Sands style="width: 5px; background-color: #008800;" data-sort-value="Anti H-Block" | Anti H-Block Death
Glasgow Central 26 June 1980 Thomas McMillan style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Bob McTaggart style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Death (fall)
Southend East 13 March 1980[48 2] Sir Stephen McAdden style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Teddy Taylor style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Death (fall)
South West Hertfordshire 13 December 1979 Geoffrey Dodsworth style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Richard Page style="width: 5px; background-color: #0087DC;" data-sort-value="Conservative Party (UK)" | Conservative Resignation on medical advice
Manchester Central 27 September 1979 Harold Lever style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Robert Litherland style="width: 5px; background-color: #DC241f;" data-sort-value="Labour Party (UK)" | Labour Life peerage
  1. Oswald O'Brien retained the seat for Labour in the by-election but lost it to the Conservatives in the 1983 general election only 11 weeks later.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Gain retained at the 1983 general election.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Gain not retained at the 1983 general election.
  4. Mitcham and Morden was the last time an incumbent government gained a seat from the opposition in a by-election until the Copeland by-election on 23 February 2017.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Following Sands' death, Owen Carron retained the seat for Anti H-Block in the second by-election and defended it as Sinn Féin in the 1983 general election but lost to the Ulster Unionists.

See also

References


Sources