Birmingham Northfield by-election, 1982

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The Birmingham Northfield by-election of October 28, 1982 was held after the death of Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Jocelyn Cadbury on July 31, 1982. The seat was gained by the Labour Party in a defeat for Margaret Thatcher's government.

[edit] Candidates

  • John Spellar would later serve as MP for Warley West.
  • Roger Gale would later serve as MP for North Thanet.
  • Stephen Ridley, a solicitor, ran on a campaign of introducing works councils to give workers more say in their jobs and improving local amenities.[1]
  • Ian Anderson emerged as the leading figure of the Flag Group wing of the National Front and later became leader of the party.
  • Peter Sheppard ran on an anti-National Front, anti-Margaret Thatcher platform. He was chairman of the All Birmingham Committee Against Racism and Fascism.[2]
  • Bill Boaks, a serial independent candidate during the 1970s who frequently managed only double figure vote totals, was standing in his final by-election (he was also a candidate in the Peckham by-election, which was held simultaneously).

[edit] Results

Birmingham Northfield by-election, 1982
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Spellar 15,904 36.3 −8.8
Conservative Roger Gale 15,615 35.6 −9.8
Liberal Stephen Ridley 11,453 26.1 +18.0
National Front Ian Anderson 411 0.9 -0.2
Communist Peter Sheppard 349 0.8 N/A
People's Progressive Party Ronald Taylor 63 0.2 N/A
Democratic Monarchist, Public Safety, White Resident Bill Boaks 60 0.1 N/A
Majority 289 0.7
Turnout 43,855 55.0
Labour gain from Conservative Swing -0.51

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ridley's election leaflet
  2. ^ Sheppard's election leaflet