Vale of Glamorgan by-election, 1989
A by-election was held for the British House of Commons constituency of Vale of Glamorgan on 4 May 1989 following the death of Conservative MP Sir Raymond Gower.
Eleven candidates stood, which remains the most in any Welsh by-election.
The result was a Labour gain, the party's first by-election gain of this parliamentary term, which came at a time when it was starting to match and even overtake the Conservative government in the opinion polls, just after the controversial poll tax was announced.
Neil Kinnock believed the result, which was reported as 'a massive victory' for Labour, showed a change in the Labour Party's fortunes, and stated "the tide has turned". The swing of 12.35 was significant as if repeated at the next general election would have resulted in Labour winning power.[1]
Ultimately the seat was narrowly won back by the Conservatives at the 1992 general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | John Smith | 23,342 | 48.9 | +14.2 | |
| Conservative | Rod Richards | 17,314 | 36.3 | -10.5 | |
| Social and Liberal Democrats | Frank Leavers | 2,017 | 4.2 | -12.5 | |
| Plaid Cymru | John Dixon | 1,672 | 3.5 | +1.7 | |
| Social Democrat | Keith Davies | 1,098 | 2.3 | ||
| Green | M. Wakefield | 971 | 2.0 | ||
| Protect the Health Service | Christopher Tiarks | 847 | 1.8 | ||
| Monster Raving Loony | David Sutch | 266 | 0.5 | ||
| Independent Welsh Socialist | E. Roberts | 148 | 0.3 | ||
| Corrective Party | Lindi St Claire | 39 | 0.1 | ||
| Christian Alliance | David Black | 32 | 0.1 | ||
| Majority | 6,028 | 12.6 | |||
| Turnout | 70.7 | ||||
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | -12.35 | |||
