Bromley and Chislehurst by-election, 2006

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A by-election was held in the UK parliament constituency of Bromley and Chislehurst in London, following the death of Conservative Member of Parliament Eric Forth on 17 May 2006.[1] The writ for the electing of a new member was issued on 6 June for a polling day of 29 June 2006, the same day as the Blaenau Gwent by-elections.[2] The by-election was an astonishing rebuff to both the governing and main opposition parties. The Conservatives held the seat, but with their majority much reduced by the Liberal Democrats. By some measures, this was the worst performance by the Conservative opposition since at least 1930. Labour were pushed into fourth place by the UK Independence Party, a terrible night for them as they also failed to win the the Blaenau Gwent by-elections. This was only the second time Labour had fallen to fourth place in an English by-election since World War II, the Richmond by-election, 1989 being the other occasion.

Contents

[edit] Candidates

The Liberal Democrats selected London Borough of Bromley councillor Ben Abbotts. He is the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman on Bromley Council.[3] On 3 June 2006, the local Conservative Association selected Bob Neill, the London Assembly Member for Bexley and Bromley and leader of the Conservative group in the Assembly.[2] Labour chose economist Rachel Reeves, runner-up in 2005, to stand once again.[2] The Green Party selected Ann Garrett as its candidate. Garrett stood as a Green Party candidate in the 2005 general election and the 2004 London Assembly elections.[4] The United Kingdom Independence Party selected Nigel Farage MEP, who represents South East England in the European Parliament. [5] The Official Monster Raving Loony Party selected John Cartwright. [6]

Two independent candidates were validly nominated: John Hemming-Clark and Nick Hadziannis. The English Democrats selected Steven Uncles[7] and candidates are running from the Money Reform Party and the National Front.

As per the Senior Electoral Officer of Bromley Council, the electorate for this by-election is 72,206 an increase of 1.50% from the 2005 election.

Bromley and Chislehurst by-election, 2006
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bob Neill 11,621 40.0 -11.1
Liberal Democrats Ben Abbotts 10,988 37.8 +17.5
UKIP Nigel Farage 2,347 8.1 +4.9
Labour Rachel Reeves 1,925 6.6 -15.6
Green Ann Garrett 811 2.8 -0.4
National Front Paul Winnett 476 1.6
Independent John Hemming-Clark 442 1.5
English Democrats Steven Uncles 212 0.7
Monster Raving Loony John Cartwright 132 0.5
Independent Nick Hadziannis 65 0.2
Money Reform Anne Belsey 33 0.1
Majority 633 2.2 -26.7
Turnout 29,052 40.18 -24.68
Conservative hold Swing 14.3%

[edit] 2005 general election result

General Election 2005: Bromley and Chislehurst
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Eric Forth 23,583 51.1 +1.6
Labour Rachel Reeves 10,241 22.2 -6.4
Liberal Democrats Peter Brookes 9,368 20.3 +1.4
UKIP David Hooper 1,475 3.2 +0.3
Green Ann Garrett 1,470 3.2 N/A
Majority 13,342 28.9
Turnout 46,137 64.8 +0.5
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Tributes paid to Tory Eric Forth", BBC News, 2006-05-18. Retrieved on May 18, 2006.
  2. ^ a b c Conservatives nominate Bob Neill for the Bromley and Chislehurst by-election. BBC (2006-06-03). Retrieved on June 3, 2006.
  3. ^ Lib Dem Choice for the Bromley & Chislehurst by-election. Bromley Liberal Democrats (2006-05-30). Retrieved on May 31, 2006.
  4. ^ Bromley Greens select candidate for Bromley and Chislehurst by-election. Bromley Green Party (2006-05-14). Retrieved on June 22, 2006.
  5. ^ UKIP announces Nigel Farage MEP to contest by-election. UKIP Bromley & Chiselhurst (2006-06-03). Retrieved on June 3, 2006.
  6. ^ BROMLEY & CHISLEHURST - Vote for JOHN CARTWRIGHT, Vote for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party. Croydon Official Monster Raving Loony Party. Retrieved on June 12, 2006.
  7. ^ The English Democrats announce Bromley and Chislehurst Candidate (2006-06-08). Retrieved on June 12, 2006.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

« 53rd Parliament «   By-elections to the 54th Parliament of the United Kingdom   » — »
2005

July: Cheadle | September: Livingston
2006

February: Dunfermline and West Fife | June: Blaenau Gwent | Bromley and Chislehurst
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