Uxbridge by-election, 1997

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Uxbridge by-election
United Kingdom
1987 ←
 31 July 1997
 → 1992
       
Candidate John Randall Andy Slaughter Keith Kerr
Party Conservative Labour Liberal Democrat
Popular vote 16,288 12,522 1,792
Percentage 51.1% 39.3% 5.6%
MP before election

Michael Shersby
Conservative

 Subsequent MP

John Randall
Conservative

The Uxbridge by-election, 1997 was a parliamentary by-election held in July 1997 to elect a new Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Uxbridge in London, England.

The vacancy was caused by the death of the Conservative MP Sir Michael Shersby, who died unexpectedly on 8 May 1997, just seven days after his being returned to the House of Commons at the 1997 general election, although that election saw the end of 18 years of Conservative rule as Labour won by a landslide. It was the first by-election of the 1997-2001 parliament.

The by-election was held on 31 July 1997. The seat previously had seen Shersby win a narrow victory over Labour Party candidate David Williams in May, but Williams was not selected for the by-election candidate shortlist, as he was seen as too left-wing, and therefore unelectable, even though his supporters argued for the selection for this locally-based politician.[citation needed] The Conservative Party selected John Randall, the Managing Director of the century-old Randall's Furniture Store in Uxbridge. The Labour Party eventually chose Andy Slaughter, the Leader of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, over the Barrister Willie Bach from Nottinghamshire. Keith Kerr, a senior executive with British Airways, represented the Liberal Democrats.

Labour's concentrated campaign included an unusual visit by Prime Minister Tony Blair. This was unusual in that a sitting Prime Minister does not normally campaign personally in by-elections for fear that a defeat may harm his own political standing. In the end, the Conservative candidate was elected by a large majority, gaining over 50% of all votes cast, while the Labour and Liberal Democrat vote fell sharply.

It was the first time the Conservatives held onto a seat at a by-election since the Richmond (Yorks) by-election, 1989.

Results

Uxbridge by-election, 1997
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Randall 16,288 51.1 +7.6
Labour Andy Slaughter 12,522 39.3 -2.5
Liberal Democrat Keith Kerr 1,792 5.6 -5.4
Monster Raving Loony Screaming Lord Sutch 396 1.3 N/A
Socialist Alternative Julia Leonard 259 0.8 -0.1
BNP Frances Taylor 205 0.7 N/A
National Democrats Ian Anderson 157 0.5 N/A
National Front John McAuley 110 0.3 N/A
Independent Liberal Henry Middleton 69 0.2 N/A
UKIP James Feisenberger 39 0.1 N/A
Rainbow Dream Ticket Ronnie Carroll 30 0.1 N/A
Majority 3,766
Turnout 55.2 -16.9
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1997: Uxbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Shersby 18,095 43.5
Labour David Williams 17,371 41.8
Liberal Democrat Andrew Malyan 4,528 10.9
Referendum Party Garrick Aird 1,153 2.8 N/A
Socialist Alternative Julia Leonard 398 1.0 N/A
Majority 724
Turnout 72.3
Conservative hold Swing

See also

  • List of United Kingdom by-elections

External links


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