United Kingdom general election records

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UK general election records is an annotated list of notable records from United Kingdom general elections.

Prior to 1945, electoral competition in the United Kingdom exhibited features which make meaningful comparisons with modern results difficult.

Among the most significant were:-

• Frequent interventions and withdrawals of parties in different seats.
• Frequent Coalitions between parties, splits within parties and floor-crossing by members.
• Uncontested elections and truces between parties, in particular during both World Wars.
• Generally more significant competition from independent candidates and minor parties.
• Multi-member seats and University seats.
• Higher frequency of general elections, although parliaments were extended during both World Wars.
• Generally higher turnouts.
• Generally higher variation in size of constituency electorates.

Since 1945, the evolution of a stable 3-party system has tended to negate each of the above features so that, broadly speaking, elections are more comparable.

In Northern Ireland, as ever, the pattern of party competition is completely different from that on the mainland and comparisons remain problematic.

Hence, unless otherwise stated records are based on results since the 1945 General Election, and earlier exceptional results are listed separately.

For comparison purposes the following definitions have been adopted.

• Gain - victory by a party which was not victorious at the immediate previous election.
• Loss - defeat of a party which was victorious at the immediate previous election.
• Hold - victory by a party which was victorious at the immediate previous election.
• Win - victory by a party. Ambiguous term that could mean either a gain or a hold.
• Incumbent - the party which held the seat at the immediate previous election, irrespective of any intervening change of candidate or candidate's change of party.
• Third Party - In England, since 1922, the "third party" has been the Liberal party through its Alliance with the SDP and their successors up to the present day Liberal Democrats. Additionally, in Scotland and Wales the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru are also considered to be Third Parties. Prior to 1922, the third party was the Labour party.
• Minor Party - parties smaller than the Third Party
• Uncontested - an election where only one candidate is put forward. No votes are actually cast and the candidate is by definition the victor.
• Notional - boundary changes occur about every 10-15 years. Invariably the political composition of many seats is changed as a result, sometimes decisively. Professors Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher have compiled notional results for the last few sets of boundary changes, predicting what the result would have been at the previous election under the new boundaries. While accurate overall, the results in a few seats indicate that they may have been mistaken.

Contents 1 Numerical records 1.1 Largest swings 1.1.1 From Conservative to Labour 1.1.2 From Labour to Conservative 1.2 Largest fall in percentage share of vote 1.2.1 Conservative reductions in vote 1.2.2 Labour reductions in vote 1.2.3 Liberal/SDP/Liberal Democrat 1.2.4 Nationalist parties 1.2.5 Other parties 1.3 Largest increase in percentage share of vote 1.3.1 Conservative 1.3.2 Labour 1.3.3 Liberal/Liberal Democrat 1.3.4 Nationalist 1.4 Largest share of the vote 1.4.1 Largest number of votes 1.4.2 Largest majority 1.5 Lowest share of the vote 1.5.1 Major parties winning 2% or less of the vote 1.5.2 Candidates winning fewer than ten votes 1.6 Smallest majorities 1.6.1 Most recounts 1.7 Highest turnout 1.8 Lowest turnout 1.9 Most candidates 1.10 Fewest candidates 2 Candidate records 2.1 Durable general election candidates 2.2 MPs defeated at consecutive general elections 2.3 Former MPs unsuccessful at subsequent general elections 2.3.1 Attempts 2.3.2 Interval 2.4 Future MPs unsuccessful at previous general elections 2.5 Former MPs making a comeback at a general election 2.6 Shortest-serving general election victors 2.6.1 Since 1945 2.6.2 Pre-1945 2.7 Youngest general election victors 2.7.1 Babies of the House elected at general elections 2.8 Youngest to leave the House 2.9 Oldest general election victors 2.9.1 at first election 2.9.2 at last election 2.10 First women general election victors 2.11 First ethnic minority general election victors 2.12 First general election victors from specific religions 2.13 General elections losers awarded seats on disqualification of winner 2.14 Two or more sitting MPs contest general election 3 Frequency and duration records 3.1 Longest period without a general election 3.2 Shortest period between general elections 3.3 Longest period without a change in government 3.4 Election days 4 Causes of general elections 4.1 Loss of a vote of confidence 4.2 New Prime Minister seeks a mandate 4.3 Prime Minister seeks to gain/increase their majority 4.4 Prime Minister's choice of date 4.5 Parliament had run its course 4.6 End of World War 5 Miscellaneous records 5.1 Incumbents fall directly from first place to fourth place 5.2 Incumbents fall directly from first place to third place 5.3 Outgoing Government gains seats 5.3.1 Conservative 5.3.1.1 1997 5.3.1.1.1 By-election losses regained 5.3.1.2 February 1974 5.3.1.2.1 Gains 5.3.1.2.2 By-election losses regained 5.3.1.3 1964 5.3.1.3.1 Gains 5.3.1.3.2 By-election losses regained 5.3.1.4 1945 5.3.1.4.1 Gains 5.3.1.4.2 By-election losses regained 5.3.2 Labour 5.3.2.1 1979 5.3.2.1.1 Gains 5.3.2.1.2 By-election losses regained 5.3.2.2 1970 5.3.2.2.1 Gains 5.3.2.2.2 By-election losses regained 5.3.2.3 1951 5.3.2.3.1 Gains 5.4 Incoming Government loses seats 5.4.1 Conservative 5.4.2 Labour 5.5 Seats gained from fourth place 5.6 Seats gained from third place 5.7 General election victors had not contested previous election 5.8 Incumbent party did not contest 5.9 Major party did not run 5.9.1 Conservative 5.9.2 Labour 5.9.3 Liberal Democrats 5.10 Victories by minor parties 5.11 Minor parties other strong performance 5.12 Miscellaneous notable results 5.12.1 Party Leaders or Deputy Leaders losing their seats 6 General elections having historic significance 7 See also 8 References

[edit] Numerical records

For more information about what is meant by the term "swing", see Swing (politics)

[edit] Largest swings

[edit] From Conservative to Labour

• Merthyr Tydfil, 1970 - 20.83% ^[1]

[edit] From Labour to Conservative

[edit] Largest fall in percentage share of vote

A party's share of the vote at a general election is not always matched at subsequent general elections, but given the five-year maximum term of a Parliament, reductions of 20% or more are unusual.

[edit] Conservative reductions in vote

• Tatton, 1997: - 24.7%
• Gordon, 1997: - 21.9%
• Woking, 1997: - 20.7%

[edit] Labour reductions in vote

• Blaenau Gwent, 2005: - 39.7%
• Wyre Forest, 2001: - 26.6%
• Brent East, 2005: - 24.4%

[edit] Liberal/SDP/Liberal Democrat

• Plymouth Devonport, 1992: - 29.9%
• Leeds West, 1992: - 24.7%
• Greenwich and Woolwich, 1997: - 22.6% (notional)

[edit] Nationalist parties

[edit] Other parties

• Independent Labour Party, Glasgow Bridgeton, 1950: - 60.6%
• Ulster Unionist Party, North Down, 1979: - 53.1%
• Ulster Unionist Party, North Antrim, 1970: - 41.5%
• Sinn Féin, Fermanagh and South Tyrone, 1959: - 40.8%
• Ulster Unionist Party, Belfast North, 2001: - 39.8%

[edit] Largest increase in percentage share of vote

These records detail the change in the share of the vote by parties when compared to the same constituency in the previous General Election. In some cases, such as Brent East in 2005 for the Liberal Democrats, the figures should be framed by the context of a by-election in that constituency between the two Elections.

It should also be noted that boundary changes between elections will make comparison between altered seats difficult if not impossible.

[edit] Conservative

[edit] Labour

• Liverpool Wavertree, 1997: + 23.1%
• Crosby, 1997: + 22.4%
• Brent North, 1997: + 20.4%
• Plymouth Devonport, 1992: + 20.3%
• North East Cambridgeshire, 1997: + 20.2%
• Hove, 1997: + 20.1%

[edit] Liberal/Liberal Democrat

• Brent East, 2005: + 36.9%
• Liverpool Broadgreen, 1987: + 24.7%
• Kingston and Surbiton, 2001: + 23.5%
• Birmingham Ladywood, 2005: + 23.3%
• Birmingham Hodge Hill, 2005: + 21.4%
• Sheffield Hallam, 1997: + 20.6%
• Manchester Withington, 2005: + 20.4%

[edit] Nationalist

• SNP, Glasgow Govan, 1992: + 26.7%

[edit] Largest share of the vote

Largest share of the vote won by any candidate, since 1918:

• George Currie, Ulster Unionist, North Down, 1959: 98.0%
• George Currie, Ulster Unionist, North Down, 1955: 96.9%
• Knox Cunningham, Ulster Unionist, South Antrim, 1959: 95.1%
• Phelim O'Neill, Ulster Unionist, North Antrim, 1959: 94.9%
• Will Thorne, Labour, Plaistow, 1918: 94.9%

[edit] Largest number of votes

The most votes received by a single individual in a general election was Sir Cooper Rawson who polled 75205 votes when being reelected as MP for Brighton in 1931. However Brighton was a two-member constituency with a larger than average electorate.

[edit] Largest majority

The largest majority received by an individual is also Sir Cooper Rawson, reelected with a majority of 62253 at Brighton in 1931. The largest majority received by a woman is 38823 by the Countess of Iveagh elected MP for Southend in 1931.

[edit] Lowest share of the vote

[edit] Major parties winning 2% or less of the vote

Since 1918:

• B. Price, Conservative, Upper Bann, 1997: 0.9%
• R. Smith, Liberal, South Antrim, 1970: 0.9%
• A. Seaton, Conservative, Pontypridd, 1918: 1.1%
• J. S. Holmes, Conservative, East Londonderry, 1997: 1.1%
• H. Simonds-Gooding, Liberal, North Down, 1970: 1.3%
• Alan Greer, Conservative, Belfast East, 2005: 1.4%
• C. J. Canning, Liberal, Dundee West, 1950: 1.9%
• E. W. Mason, Liberal, Glasgow Govan, October 1974, 1.9%
• A. W. Bowkett, Liberal, Birmingham Ladywood, 1924, 2.0%

Labour's worst vote was 2.2% for S. P. Gordon in Glasgow Bridgeton in 1935.

[edit] Candidates winning fewer than ten votes

Since 1918:

1: Catherine Taylor-Dawson, Vote For Yourself Rainbow Dream Ticket, Cardiff North (2005)

5: Martin Kyslun, Independent, West Derbyshire (2005)

7: Dorian Vanbraam, Renaissance Democrat, Putney (1997)

[edit] Smallest majorities

• 2 votes: Winchester, 1997
• 3 votes: Carmarthen, February 1974
• 3 votes: Peterborough, 1966
• 4 votes: Worcester, 1945
• 6 votes: Caithness and Sutherland, 1945
• 7 votes: Leicester South, 1983
• 7 votes: Brighton Kemptown, 1964
• 9 votes: Bodmin, February 1974
• 10 votes: Reading, 1964
• 10 votes: Manchester Rusholme, 1945
• 11 votes: Eton and Slough, 1964
• 12 votes: Torbay, 1997
• 12 votes: South East Derbyshire, 1959
• 13 votes: Ipswich, 1970
• 14 votes: Preston North, 1964
• 15 votes: Northwich, 1945
• 16 votes: Preston South, 1951
• 19 votes: Vale of Glamorgan, 1992
• 20 votes: Birmingham All Saints, 1959
• 21 votes: Hyndburn, 1983
• 22 votes: Peterborough, February 1974
• 22 votes: East Dunbartonshire, October 1974
• 25 votes: Belfast West, 1951
• 27 votes: Ealing North, 1964
• 28 votes: Stroud and Thornbury, 1950
• 29 votes: Preston North, 1979
• 30 votes: Galloway, October 1974

[edit] Most recounts

• 7: Peterborough, 1966
• 7: Brighton Kemptown, 1964
• 5: Carmarthen, February 1974

[edit] Highest turnout

Highest turnout in any general election since 1918:

• Fermanagh and South Tyrone, 1951: 93.4%

[edit] Lowest turnout

All turnouts below 35% from 1918:

• Lambeth Kennington, 1918: 29.7%
• Birmingham Deritend, 1918: 30.7%
• Bethnal Green North East, 1918: 31.2%
• Birmingham Duddeston, 1918: 32.4%
• Limehouse, 1918: 33.4%
• Liverpool Riverside, 2001: 34.1%
• Aberdeenshire and East Kincardineshire, 1918: 34.2%

Until 2001, the lowest turnout after 1918 was 37.4% in Orkney and Shetland in 1922.

[edit] Most candidates

Any number of candidates can be nominated for election under current UK electoral law. There are no restrictions, with the only required stipulation (other than residency rules) being the valid nomination of ten electors from the constituency. Candidates must pay a £500 deposit which is only refunded if the candidate wins 5% or more of the votes cast.

Only two constituencies have seen more than ten candidates stand in a general election:

• Sedgefield, 2005: 15
• Finchley, 1983: 11^[2]

[edit] Fewest candidates

The last four seats to be uncontested at a general election were Armagh, Londonderry, North Antrim and South Antrim, at the 1951 UK general election.

Three seats were contested only by Labour and Conservative candidates at the 1979 UK general election: Birmingham Handsworth, Dudley West and Salford East.

A small number of constituencies in England, such as Barnsley West and Penistone, Birkenhead, Chorley, Don Valley and Selby, were only contested by three candidates in 2005.

[edit] Candidate records

[edit] Durable general election candidates

A selection of politicians who have contested seats in at least thirteen general elections are listed:

• Peter Tapsell has contested thirteen consecutive general elections from 1959 to 2005 (plus one by-election in 1957).
• Tony Benn contested thirteen consecutive general elections from 1951 to 1997 (plus four by-elections, the first in 1950).
• Edward Heath contested, and won, fourteen consecutive general elections from 1950 to 1997.
• Michael Foot contested fourteen consecutive general elections from 1935 to 1987 (plus one by-election).
• Winston Churchill contested sixteen consecutive general elections from 1900 to 1959 (plus five by-elections, the first in 1899).
• Edward Turnour, 6th Earl Winterton contested, and won, a seat at thirteen consecutive general elections (plus one by-election in 1904).
• David Lloyd George contested, and won, a seat at thirteen consecutive general elections (plus one by-election).
• T. P. O'Connor contested, and won, a seat at fourteen consecutive general elections
• Charles Pelham Villiers contested, and won, a seat at fifteen consecutive general elections

[edit] MPs defeated at consecutive general elections

On rare occasions an MP has been defeated at a general election, returned at a by-election, only to be defeated again at the subsequent general election. Shirley Williams is distinguished by achieving this while in two different parties.

• William McCrea, 1997 and 2001^a
• Shirley Williams, 1979 and 1983
• Arthur Henderson, 1918, 1922 and 1923^b

Notes:

• ^a returned to Parliament at a subsequent general election
• ^b returned to Parliament at a subsequent by-election

[edit] Former MPs unsuccessful at subsequent general elections

[edit] Attempts

It is unusual for a defeated MP to pursue more than a couple of attempts at re-election.

• Robert McIntyre, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1966, 1970, Feb 1974 and Oct 1974. ^a
• Dave Nellist, 1997, 2001 and 2005 ^a
• Tom Mitchell, 1959, 1964 and 1966 ^b
• Mike Carr, 1997 and 2001 ^b

Notes:

• ^a in various seats
• ^b in the same seat

[edit] Interval

Attempts at a comeback usually occur almost immediately

• Joseph Jackson Cleary, 1955: 20 years after his defeat

[edit] Future MPs unsuccessful at previous general elections

It is unusual for a candidate who has been unsuccessful on more than a couple of occasions to finally win a seat.

• Alasdair McDonnell, elected for Belfast South in 2005, after standing in 1979, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1997 and 2001 (and a by-election in 1982).
• Gregory Campbell, elected for East Londonderry in 2001, after standing in 1997, and previously in Foyle in 1983, 1987 and 1992.
• Martin McGuinness, elected for Mid Ulster in 1997, after standing in Foyle in 1983, 1987 and 1992.
• Edwin Scrymgeour, elected for Dundee in 1922, after standing in January 1910, December 1910 and 1918 (and also in the 1908 and 1917 by-elections).

[edit] Former MPs making a comeback at a general election

• 2005: David Evennett, William McCrea, Malcolm Rifkind

• 2001: Henry Bellingham, Alistair Burt, Derek Conway, Charles Hendry, Greg Knight, Bob Spink

• 1997: Gerry Adams, Alan Clark, Michael Fallon, Gerald Howarth, Frank Doran, Christopher Chope, Huw Edwards, Ronnie Fearn, Mike Hancock, Ashok Kumar, Richard Livsey, Humfrey Malins, John Maples, Francis Maude, Jonathan Sayeed

• 1992: John Horam, Piers Merchant, Paul Tyler, Iain Sproat, Michael Ancram, Bryan Davies, Warren Hawksley, Gerry Malone, Richard Ottaway, Nick Raynsford, Mark Robinson, Derek Spencer, John Spellar

• 1987: Bob Cryer, Margaret Ewing, John Garrett, Bruce Grocott, Jim Marshall, Ann Taylor, Andrew Welsh, Audrey Wise

• 1983: Robin Corbett, Bryan Gould, Andrew MacKay, Margaret Beckett, Edward Loyden, Max Madden, Brian Sedgemore

• 1979: Michael Ancram, David Clark, Terry Davis, Peter Griffiths, James Hill, Peggy Fenner, John Gummer, Sydney Chapman, David Winnick

• October 1974: Enoch Powell, Donald Anderson, Jeremy Bray, Robert Hicks, Nicholas Scott

• February 1974 Gwyneth Dunwoody, Michael Winstanley, Richard Wainwright, Winifred Ewing

• 1970: Julian Critchley, James Kilfedder

• 1966: Richard Body, Peter Tapsell

[edit] Shortest-serving general election victors

[edit] Since 1945

• Alfred Dobbs, Labour Smethwick, 1945 1 day ¹
• John Sunderland, Labour Preston, 1945 122 days ¹
• John Whittaker, Labour Heywood and Radcliffe, 1945 137 days ¹
• Philip Clarke, Sinn Féin Fermanagh and South Tyrone, 1955 152 days ^3x
• Thomas Mitchell, Sinn Féin Mid-Ulster, 1955 152 days ^3x
• Harry West, Ulster Unionist Fermanagh and South Tyrone, February 1974 224 days ²
• Michael Ancram, Conservative Berwick and East Lothian, February 1974 224 days ^2a
• Barry Henderson, Conservative East Dunbartonshire, February 1974 224 days ^2a
• Paul Tyler, Liberal Bodmin, February 1974 224 days ^2a
• Michael Winstanley, Liberal Hazel Grove, February 1974 224 days ^2b
• James Godfrey MacManaway, Unionist Belfast West, 1950 238 days ³
• Judith Chaplin, Conservative Newbury, 1992 316 days ¹
• Peter Law, Independent Blaenau Gwent, 2005 355 days ¹

Notes

• ¹ died
• ² defeated at next general election
• ³ disqualified
• ^a returned to Parliament at a subsequent election
• ^b had served previously as an MP
• ^x Since Clarke and Mitchell were elected on abstentionist tickets, and were serving jail sentences at the time, their calculated length of service is somewhat theoretical.

[edit] Pre-1945

[edit] Youngest general election victors

[edit] Babies of the House elected at general elections

See Baby of the House of Commons

[edit] Youngest to leave the House

• Thomas Leslie Teevan 1951, aged 24¹
• Edward Stanley 1918, aged 24² (re-elected 1922)
• Patrick Joseph Whitty 1918, aged 24^2a
• Joseph Sweeney 1922, aged about 25² (did not take his seat)
• Hugh Lucas-Tooth 1929, aged 26¹ (re-elected 1945)
• Bernadette Devlin McAliskey February 1974, aged 26¹
• Jennie Lee 1931, aged 26¹ (re-elected 1945)
• Christopher Ward 1970, aged 27¹
• David Reed 1974, aged 28²
• Michael Ancram October 1974, aged 29¹ (re-elected 1979)
• Andrew Mackay 1979, aged 29¹ (re-elected 1983)
• Margo MacDonald February 1974, aged 29¹
• Helene Hayman 1979, aged 30¹
• John Ryan 1970, aged 30¹
• Graham Tope February 1974, aged 30¹
• Stanley Henig 1970, aged 30¹

Notes: ^a Whitty's exact date of birth is unknown, but it is accepted he was born in 1894.

¹ Defeated

² Constituency abolished

[edit] Oldest general election victors

[edit] at first election

• George Walker, 1945: 70
• Samuel Young, 1892: 70
• Robert Cameron, 1895, 70
• Piara Khabra, 1992: 70¹
• Ethel Bentham, 1929: 68
• Andrew Gilzean, 1945: 67
• Albert Stubbs, 1945: 67
• Ernest Roberts, 1979: 67
• Richard Taylor, 2001: 66
• John McQuade, 1979: 66
• Caroline Ganley, 1945: 65
• Mervyn Wheatley, 1945: 65
• Mildred Gordon, 1987: 63

¹ Khabra's exact age has been the subject of some disagreement. He claimed a birth year of 1924, which would have made him 67 years old at first election, but his marriage certificate gives a birth year of 1921, and it is this figure which has been used above.

Robert Carden was 78 when he returned to the house, after a 21-year absence, as the member for Barnstaple. He had sat for Gloucester from 1857-59. Cahir Healy was 72 when he returned to the House of Commons, after a 15-year voluntary absence, as member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone. He had sat for the predecessor constituency between 1922-24 and 1931-35. Thomas Lewis was 71 when he returned after a 14-year absence, as member for Southampton. He had sat previously for the seat between 1929-31. John Kinley was 67 when he returned after a 14-year absence, as member for Bootle. He had sat previously for the seat between 1929-31.

[edit] at last election

• Charles Pelham Villiers, Wolverhampton South, 1895: 93
• Samuel Young, East Cavan, 1910(D): 88
• David Logan, Liverpool Scotland, 1959: 87
• Robert Cameron, Houghton-le-Spring, 1910(D): 85
• Winston Churchill, Woodford, 1959: 84
• S. O. Davies, Merthyr Tydfil, 1970: 83 ²
• Piara Khabra, Ealing Southall, 2005: 83
• William Gladstone, Midlothian , 1892: 82
• Manny Shinwell, Easington, 1966: 81
• Joseph Warner Henley, Oxfordshire, 1874: about 81
• Edward Heath, Old Bexley and Sidcup, 1997: 80
• John Mowbray, Oxford University, 1895: 80
• John Rankin, Glasgow Govan, 1970: 80
• T. P. O'Connor, Liverpool Scotland, 1929: 80
• James Patrick Mahon, Clare, 1880: 80
• Murdoch Macdonald, Inverness, 1945: 79
• Ian Paisley, Antrim North, 2005: 79 ¹
• Irene Ward, Tynemouth, 1970: 75
• Alice Cullen, Glasgow Gorbals, 1966: 75
• Gwyneth Dunwoody, Crewe and Nantwich, 2005: 74
• Eleanor Rathbone, Combined English Universities, 1945: 73
• Caroline Ganley, Battersea South, 1950: 70

¹ Still an MP as of 2007.

² Davies was suspected of being considerably older than he claimed. There is evidence to suggest he was born in 1879, not 1886; if true, this would indicate he was 90 at his last election.

Note: All men aged 79 or over since 1945 and over 85 since 1900 are listed, as are all women aged 70 or over.

[edit] First women general election victors

• Constance Markiewicz, Dublin St Patrick's, 1918
• Nancy Astor, Plymouth Sutton, 1922
• Margaret Wintringham, Louth, 1922

[edit] First ethnic minority general election victors

• Dadabhai Naoroji, Finsbury Central, 1892
• Mancherjee Bhownagree, Bethnal Green, 1895 and 1900
• Shapurji Saklatvala, Battersea North, 1922 and 1924

[edit] First general election victors from specific religions

When the UK Parliament was established in 1801, non-Anglicans were prevented from taking their seats as MPs under the Test Act 1672. However, Methodists took communion at Anglican churches until 1795, and some continued to do so, and many Presbyterians were prepared to accept Anglican communion, thus ensuring that members of these creeds were represented in the Parliament.^[3] Some Unitarians were also elected.

The first Roman Catholic general election victors in the UK Parliament were at the 1830 UK general election. They included Daniel O'Connell and James Patrick Mahon in Clare.

The first Quaker general election victor was Edward Pease, at the 1832 UK general election.

Lionel de Rothschild was the first Jewish general election victor, at the 1847 UK general election. He was not permitted to take his seat.

The first declared atheist to win a general election was Charles Bradlaugh at the 1880 UK general election. He was not permitted to take his seat.

Dadabhai Naoroji was the first Parsi general election victor at the 1892 UK general election.

Piara Khabra became the first Sikh general election victor, at the 1992 UK general election.

The first Muslim general election victor was Mohammed Sarwar at the 1997 UK general election.

[edit] General elections losers awarded seats on disqualification of winner

Lord Robert Grosvenor: Fermanagh and South Tyrone, 1955

[edit] Two or more sitting MPs contest general election

It is of course common for former (defeated) MPs to seek re-election, often in their old constituencies, especially if they are marginal or bell-weather seats. What is quite unusual is for two MPs both sitting in the same parliament to seek re-election in the same seat. This usually occurs by reason of boundary changes or party splits.

• Dumfries and Galloway, 2005: Russell Brown,^* and Peter Duncan
• Bethnal Green and Bow, 2005: Oona King and George Galloway^*
• Brentwood and Ongar, 2001: Eric Pickles^* and Martin Bell
• Glasgow Garscadden, 1992: Donald Dewar^* and Dick Douglas
• South Hams, 1987: Anthony Steen^* and Willie Hamilton¹
• Islington North, 1983: John Grant and Michael O'Halloran
• Southwark and Bermondsey, 1983: Simon Hughes^* and John Tilley
• Crosby, 1983: Shirley Williams and Malcolm Thornton^*
• Glasgow Hillhead, 1983: Roy Jenkins^* and Neil Carmichael
• Bradford West, February 1974: John Wilkinson and Edward Lyons^*
• Blyth, February 1974: Eddie Milne^* and Ivor Richard
• Plymouth Devonport, February 1974: Joan Vickers and David Owen^*
• Paddington, February 1974: Arthur Latham^* and Nicholas Scott
• Grantham, 1955: Joseph Godber^* and Woodrow Wyatt
• Reading, 1955: Ian Mikardo^* and Frederick Bennett
• Bradford North, 1955: William Taylor^* and Maurice Webb
• Carmarthen, 1950: Rhys Hopkin Morris^* and Lynn Ungoed-Thomas
• Renfrewshire West, 1950: John Maclay^* and Thomas Scollan
• Glasgow Kelvingrove, 1950: Walter Elliot^* and John Lloyd Williams
• Newport, 1950: Peter Freeman^* and Ivor Thomas
• Sudbury and Woodbridge, 1950: John Hare^* and Roland Hamilton
• Stafford and Stone, 1950: Hugh Fraser^* and Stephen Swingler
• Newark, 1950: George Deer^* and Sidney Shephard
• Carlton, 1950: Kenneth Pickthorn^* and Florence Paton
• Thurrock, 1950: Hugh Delargy^* and Lesley Solley
• Walthamstow West, 1950: Clement Attlee^* and Lester Hutchinson
• Walsall, 1950: William Wells^* and John Barlow
• Poole, 1950: Mervyn Wheatley^* and Evelyn King
• Middlesbrough East, 1950: Hilary Marquand^* and Alfred Edwards
• Liverpool West Derby, 1950: David Maxwell Fyfe^* and Bertie Kirby
• Gateshead East, 1950: Arthur Moody^* and Konni Zilliacus
• Exeter, 1950: John Maude^* and Thomas Horabin
• Blackburn West, 1950: Ralph Assheton^* and John Edwards
• Stepney, 1950: Walter Edwards^* and Philip Piratin
• Shoreditch and Finsbury, 1950: Ernest Thurtle^* and John Platts-Mills

Notes: ¹after announcing his retirement as member for Central Fife, long-serving Scottish Labour MP Willie Hamilton obtained his party's nomination in the hopeless prospect of South Hams in southern England. Hamilton insisted that he knew local parties often found themselves without candidates shortly before nominations closed, and was offering because it would help them out of difficulty; however by standing again and being "defeated" he qualified for an additional allowance.

^* Winner

[edit] Frequency and duration records

[edit] Longest period without a general election

The longest possible duration of a Parliament is currently five years. All period of six years or more between general elections are listed:

10 years: 1935 - 1945

8 years: December 1910 - 1918

6 years: 1812 - 1818

6 years: 1820 - 1826

6 years: 1841 - 1847

6 years: 1859 - 1865

6 years: 1868 - 1874

6 years: 1874 - 1880

6 years: 1886 - 1892

6 years: 1900 - 1906

[edit] Shortest period between general elections

All period of less than a year between general elections are listed:

7 months: November 1806 - June 1807

7 months: November/December 1885 - July 1886

8 months: September 1830(?) - April/May/June 1831

8 months: February - October 1974

10 months: December 1923 - October 1924

11 months: January - December 1910

[edit] Longest period without a change in government

[edit] Election days

Currently, all British Parliamentary elections are invariably held on a Thursday. The last general election not held on a Thursday was the 1931 election, which was held on Tuesday 27 October. Prior to this, it was common to hold general elections on any day of the week (other than Sunday), and until the 1918 UK general election, they were held over a period of several weeks.

[edit] Causes of general elections

[edit] Loss of a vote of confidence

• 1979
• 1924

[edit] New Prime Minister seeks a mandate

• 1955

[edit] Prime Minister seeks to gain/increase their majority

• October 1974
• 1966
• 1951

[edit] Prime Minister's choice of date

• 2005
• 2001
• 1987
• 1983
• February 1974
• 1970
• 1959
• 1950

[edit] Parliament had run its course

• 1997
• 1992
• 1964

[edit] End of World War

• 1945
• 1918

[edit] Miscellaneous records

[edit] Incumbents fall directly from first place to fourth place

• Belfast North, 2001 ¹ UUP loss, gained by the DUP
• Plymouth Devonport, 1992 ² SDP loss, gained by Labour
• Glasgow Shettleston, 1950 ³ ILP loss, gained by Labour

¹ UUP had been unopposed by DUP at previous elections.

² SDP had been unopposed by the Liberals at previous elections.

³ The sitting Independent Labour Party MP had defected to Labour.

[edit] Incumbents fall directly from first place to third place

• Conwy, 1997 Conservative loss, gained by Labour
• Aberdeen South, 1997 Conservative loss, gained by Labour
• Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, 1997, Liberal Democrat loss, gained by Labour
• Stockton South, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the SDP
• Plymouth Devonport, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the SDP
• Caithness and Sutherland, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the SDP
• Erith and Crayford, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the Conservatives
• Renfrew West and Inverclyde, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the Conservatives
• Southampton Itchen, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the Conservatives
• Clwyd South West, 1983 ¹ Labour loss, gained by the Conservatives
• East Dunbartonshire, 1979 SNP loss, gained by Labour
• North Down, 1979 ² UUP loss, gained by Independent Unionist
• Mid Ulster, February 1974 Unity loss, gained by Vanguard Progressive Unionist
• Glasgow Bridgeton, 1950 ³ ILP loss, gained by Labour
• Rugby, 1950 Independent loss, gained by Labour
• Hammersmith North, 1950 Independent Labour loss, gained by Labour
• Grantham, 1950 Independent loss, gained by the Conservatives
• Cheltenham, 1950 Independent loss, gained by the Conservatives
• Stepney, 1950 Communist loss, gained by Labour
• West Fife, 1950 Communist loss, gained by Labour
• Caithness and Sutherland, 1945 Liberal loss, gained by the Conservatives

¹ The sitting Labour MP had defected to the SDP in 1981.

² The sitting Ulster Unionist Party MP had defected to sit as an Independent Unionist.

³ The sitting Independent Labour Party MP had defected to Labour.

[edit] Outgoing Government gains seats

When there is a decisive change in electoral sentiment, a tiny number of seats will not only buck the trend by not moving as expected, but may actually move in the opposite direction. Only elections that saw a change of government are listed, since it is fairly common for a few seats to move in divergent directions when an incumbent government is re-elected; 2005 was an exception to this case, when the Labour party scored no gains.

[edit] Conservative

[edit] 1997

[edit] By-election losses regained

• Christchurch, from the Liberal Democrats

[edit] February 1974

[edit] Gains

• Berwick and East Lothian, from Labour
• East Dunbartonshire, from Labour
• Upminster, from Labour
• Ipswich, from Labour
• North West Norfolk, from Labour

[edit] By-election losses regained

• Ripon, from the Liberals
• Sutton and Cheam, from the Liberals
• Bromsgrove and Redditch, from Labour

[edit] 1964

[edit] Gains

• Birmingham Perry Barr, from Labour
• Eton and Slough, from Labour
• Smethwick, from Labour
• South West Norfolk, from Labour

[edit] By-election losses regained

• South Dorset, from Labour

[edit] 1945

[edit] Gains

• Caithness and Sutherland, from the Liberals
• Berwick upon Tweed, from the Liberals
• Caernarvon, from the Liberals
• Isle of Ely, from the Liberals
• Barnstaple, from the Liberals

[edit] By-election losses regained

• Wallasey, from Independent
• Skipton, from Common Wealth

[edit] Labour

[edit] 1979

[edit] Gains

• Glasgow Cathcart, from the Conservatives
• East Dunbartonshire, from the SNP
• Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, from the SNP
• Carmarthen, from Plaid Cymru

[edit] By-election losses regained

• Ashfield, from the Conservatives
• Birmingham Stechford, from the Conservatives
• Walsall North, from the Conservatives
• Workington, from the Conservatives

[edit] 1970

[edit] Gains

• Colne Valley, from the Liberals

[edit] By-election losses regained

• Birmingham Ladywood, from the Liberals
• Swindon, from the Conservatives
• Oldham West, from the Conservatives
• Dudley, from the Conservatives
• Acton, from the Conservatives
• Hamilton, from the SNP
• Walthamstow West, from the Conservatives
• Glasgow Pollok, from the Conservatives
• Carmarthen, from Plaid Cymru

[edit] 1951

[edit] Gains

• Anglesey, from the Liberals
• Merioneth, from the Liberals

[edit] Incoming Government loses seats

[edit] Conservative

• Glasgow Cathcart,1979

[edit] Labour

• Berwick and East Lothian, February 1974 to the Conservatives
• East Dunbartonshire, February 1974 to the Conservatives
• Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, February 1974 to the SNP
• Dundee East, February 1974 to the SNP
• Blyth, February 1974 to Independent Labour
• Lincoln, February 1974¹ to Lincoln Democratic Labour
• Cardigan, February 1974 to the Liberals
• Colne Valley, February 1974 to the Liberals
• Rochdale, February 1974¹ to the Liberals
• Birmingham Perry Barr, 1964 to the Conservatives
• Eton and Slough, 1964 to the Conservatives
• Smethwick, 1964 to the Conservatives
• South West Norfolk, 1964 to the Conservatives
• Carmarthen, 1945 to the Liberals
• Mile End, 1945 to the Communists

Notes: ¹ by-election loss confirmed at the General Election

[edit] Seats gained from fourth place

• Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, 1997 gained by Labour from the Liberal Democrats
• Ceredigion and Pembroke North, 1992 gained by Plaid Cymru from the Liberals

[edit] Seats gained from third place

• Falmouth and Camborne, 2005 gained by the Liberal Democrats from Labour
• Leeds North West, 2005 gained by the Liberal Democrats from Labour
• Lagan Valley, 2005 gained by the DUP from the UUP ¹
• West Tyrone, 2001 gained by Sinn Féin from the UUP
• Sittingbourne and Sheppey, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Shrewsbury and Atcham, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• St. Albans, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Oldham East and Saddleworth, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives ²
• Leeds North West, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Hastings and Rye, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Falmouth and Camborne, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Conwy, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Bristol West, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Aberdeen South, 1997 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Mid Ulster, 1997 gained by Sinn Féin from the DUP
• Cambridge, 1992 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Plymouth Devonport, 1992 gained by Labour from the SDP
• Clwyd South West, 1987 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Edinburgh South, 1987 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Strathkelvin and Bearsden, 1987 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Renfrew West and Inverclyde, 1987 gained by Labour from the Conservatives
• Leeds West, 1983 gained by the Liberals from Labour
• East Dunbartonshire, 1979 gained by Labour from the SNP
• Lincoln, 1979 gained by the Conservatives from Labour
• East Dunbartonshire, October 1974 gained by the SNP from the Conservatives
• Clackmannan and East Stirlingshire, February 1974 gained by the SNP from Labour
• Isle of Wight, February 1974 gained by the Liberals from the Conservatives
• Ross and Cromarty, 1970 gained by the Conservatives from the Liberals

Notes:

¹ sitting member had defected from UUP to DUP

² Liberal Democrats had won a by-election in predecessor constituency in which Labour finished second

[edit] General election victors had not contested previous election

• Blaenau Gwent, 2005: Independent Peter Law
• Bethnal Green and Bow, 2005: Respect, George Galloway
• Wyre Forest, 2001: IKHH, Richard Taylor
• North Down, 1997³: UKUP, Robert McCartney
• Tatton, 1997: Independent Martin Bell
• Belfast East, 1979: DUP, Peter Robinson
• Belfast South, 1979:¹ Ulster Unionist, Robert Bradford
• Mid Ulster, 1979:² United Ulster Unionist, John Dunlop
• Lincoln, February 1974³: Democratic Labour, Dick Taverne
• North Antrim, February 1974⁴: DUP, Ian Paisley
• Belfast West, February 1974⁵: SDLP, Gerry Fitt
• Belfast East, February 1974: Vanguard, William Craig
• Belfast South, February 1974: Vanguard, Robert Bradford
• Mid Ulster, February 1974: Vanguard, John Dunlop
• North Antrim, 1970: PUP, Ian Paisley
• Mid Ulster, 1970: Unity, Bernadette Devlin
• North Antrim, 1970: PUP, Ian Paisley
• Western Isles, 1970: SNP, Donald Stewart

Notes:

• ¹ Vanguard broke up in the late 1970s; the sitting MP joined the Ulster Unionists.
• ² Vanguard broke up in the late 1970s; the sitting MP joined the United Ulster Unionists.
• ³ By-election gain confirmed at the General Election.
• ⁴ The Protestant Unionist Party merged into the Democratic Unionist Party in 1970.
• ⁵ Sitting MP Gerry Fitt had left the Republican Labour Party for the SDLP in 1970; by 1974 Republican Labour had disintegrated.

[edit] Incumbent party did not contest

• 1997: North Down, sole UPUP MP had died and party had subsequently collapsed.
• 1983: Mid Ulster, UUUP had dissolved and former MP stood down.
• 1959: Caithness and Sutherland, Conservatives stood aside for Independent Conservative David Robertson.
• 1950: Chelmsford, Common Wealth MP had defected to Labour and party decided not to contest any further elections.
• 1950: Glasgow Camlachie, ILP did not contest as their MP had defected to Labour, then the ILP had performed badly in the 1948 by-election.

[edit] Major party did not run

[edit] Conservative

• Glasgow North East, 2005¹
• Glasgow Springburn, 2001¹
• West Bromwich West, 1997¹
• Croydon North East, 1987¹
• Cardiff West, 1979¹
• Wirral, October 1974¹
• Wirral, February 1974¹
• Pembrokeshire, 1955
• Carmarthen, 1955
• Carmarthen, 1951
• Colne Valley, 1951
• Carmarthen, 1950

[edit] Labour

• Glasgow North East, 2005¹
• Glasgow Springburn, 2001¹
• West Bromwich West, 1997¹
• Tatton, 1997
• Cardiff West, 1979¹

[edit] Liberal Democrats

• Glasgow North East, 2005¹
• Wyre Forest, 2005
• Glasgow Springburn, 2001¹
• Wyre Forest, 2001
• West Bromwich West, 1997¹
• Tatton, 1997
• Birmingham Handsworth, 1979
• Cardiff West, 1979¹
• Dudley West, 1979
• Salford East, 1979

¹: An occasion where a major party stood aside against the Speaker of the British House of Commons.

[edit] Victories by minor parties

Victories by independent and minor party candidates since 1945. For a complete list, see the list of UK minor party and independent MPs elected.

• Blaenau Gwent, 2005
• Bethnal Green and Bow, 2005
• Wyre Forest, 2005
• Wyre Forest, 2001
• Tatton, 1997
• Lincoln, February 1974
• Blyth, February 1974
• Merthyr Tydfil, 1970

[edit] Minor parties other strong performance

• Brighton Pavilion, 2005: Green

[edit] Miscellaneous notable results

[edit] Party Leaders or Deputy Leaders losing their seats

• Upper Bann, 2005: David Trimble, Leader of the Ulster Unionists
• North Down, 2001: Robert McCartney, Leader of the UK Unionist Party
• Belfast West, 1992: Gerry Adams, Leader of Sinn Féin
• Dundee East, 1987: Gordon Wilson, Leader of the SNP
• Fermanagh and South Tyrone, October 1974: Harry West, Leader of the Ulster Unionists
• Belper, 1970: George Brown, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
• Caithness and Sutherland, 1945: Sir Archibald Sinclair, Leader of the Liberals
• Darwen, 1935: Sir Herbert Samuel, Leader of the Liberals
• Seaham, 1935: Ramsay MacDonald, Leader of the National Labour Party
• Burnley, 1931: Arthur Henderson, Leader of the Labour Party
• Manchester East, 1906: Arthur Balfour, Leader of the Conservative Party

[edit] General elections having historic significance

• 1997: Blair, New Labour
• 1979: Thatcher, end of the post-war consensus
• 1945: Labour, Welfare State
• 1931: National Government presides over the Great Depression and Appeasement
• 1923: First Labour government emerges
• 1910 (two Liberal general election victories) Establishment of supremacy of the Commons. The Parliament Act.
• 1906: Liberal landslide

[edit] See also

• United Kingdom general elections
• swing (politics)
• Records of members of parliament of the United Kingdom
• United Kingdom by-election records

[edit] References

1. ^ David Boothroyd
2. ^ Research Paper 05/33: General Election 2005, House of Commons Library
3. ^ Chris Pond, Parliament and Religious Disabilities

• 'Who's Who of British MPs: Volume IV, 1945-1979' by Michael Stenton and Stephen Lees (Harvester, Brighton, 1979) ISBN 0-85527-335-6