1986 Upper Bann by-election

The 1986 Upper Bann by-election was one of the fifteen 1986 Northern Ireland by-elections held on 23 January 1986, to fill vacancies in the Parliament of the United Kingdom caused by the resignation in December 1985 of all sitting Unionist Members of Parliament (MPs). The MPs, from the Ulster Unionist Party, Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Popular Unionist Party, did this to highlight their opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Each of their parties agreed not to contest seats previously held by the others, and each outgoing MP stood for re-election.

1986 Upper Bann by-election

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South Down constituency
  First party Second party
  Tom French (politician)
Candidate Harold McCusker Tom French
Party UUP Workers' Party
Popular vote 29,311 6,978
Percentage 80.8% 19.2
Swing Increase23.9 Increase13.7%

Location of South Down within Northern Ireland

MP before election

Harold McCusker
Ulster Unionist Party

Elected MP

Harold McCusker
Ulster Unionist Party

1986 Upper Bann by-election[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
UUP Harold McCusker 29,311 80.8 +23.9
Workers' Party Tom French 6,978 19.2 +13.7
Majority 22,333 61.4 +20.4
Turnout 36,861 57.2 −14.8
Registered electors 63,484
UUP hold Swing

References

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Other references

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