Vale of Glamorgan by-election, 1989

A by-election was held for the British House of Commons constituency of Vale of Glamorgan on 4 May 1989 following the death of Conservative MP Sir Raymond Gower.

Eleven candidates stood, which remains the most in any Welsh by-election.

The result was a Labour gain, the party's first by-election gain of this parliamentary term, which came at a time when it was starting to match and even overtake the Conservative government in the opinion polls, just after the controversial poll tax was announced.

Vale of Glamorgan by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour John Smith 23,342 48.9 +14.2
Conservative Rod Richards 17,314 36.3 -10.5
Social and Liberal Democrats Frank Leavers 2,017 4.2 -12.5
Plaid Cymru John Dixon 1,672 3.5 +1.7
Social Democrat Keith Davies 1,098 2.3
Green M. Wakefield 971 2.0
Protect the Health Service Christopher Tiarks 847 1.8
Monster Raving Loony David Sutch 266 0.5
Independent Welsh Socialist E. Roberts 148 0.3
Corrective Party Lindi St Claire 39 0.1
Christian Alliance David Black 32 0.1
Majority 6,028 12.6
Turnout 70.7
Labour gain from Conservative Swing -12.35


See also