Orpington by-election, 1955

The Orpington by-election, 1955 was a parliamentary by-election held on 20 January 1955 for the British House of Commons constituency of Orpington in Kent, England. It followed the death of the incumbent Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Sir Waldron Smithers. The seat was held by the Conservatives.

The by-election was notable in that sumner as the incumbent chairman of the divisional Conservative Association defeated Margaret Thatcher to be adopted prospective candidate for the local constituency.[1] The Liberal Party announced that it would not contest the by-election.[2]

Result

Orpington by-election, 20 January 1955
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Donald Sumner 20,082 65.83 +3
Labour David Vaughan Williams 10,426 35.17 −3
Majority 9656 −3.9
Turnout 30,508 55.39 −27.62
Conservative hold Swing +3

References

  1. ^ Margaret Thatcher: The Long Walk to Finchley
  2. ^ The Times, Orpington Polling Day 20 January 5 Jan 1955