1978 Ilford North by-election

The Ilford North by-election of 2 March 1978 was held after the death of Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Millie Miller on 29 October 1977. The seat was gained by the Conservatives in a defeat for James Callaghan's government.

1978 Ilford North by-election

2 March 1978
Constituency of Ilford North
First party Second party Third party   Con Lib Candidate Vivian Bendall Tessa Jowell John Freeman Party Conservative Labour Liberal Popular vote 22,548 17,051 2,248 Percentage 50.31% 38.04% 5.02% Swing 9.43% 4.44% 11.62%
MP before election Millie Miller Labour Elected MP Vivian Bendall Conservative

Results

1978 Ilford North by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	Vivian Bendall	22,548	50.31	+9.43
	Labour	Tessa Jowell	17,051	38.04	–4.44
	Liberal	John Freeman	2,248	5.02	–11.62
	National Front	John Hughes	2,126	4.74	New
	Conservative Independent Democrat	Thomas Iremonger	671	1.50	New
	East London People's Front	Carole Rowe	89	0.20	New
	New Britain	Alfred Burr	48	0.11	New
	Democratic Monarchist, Public Safety, White Resident	Bill Boaks	38	0.08	New
Majority			5,497	12.27	N/A
Turnout			44,819	69.10	-5.36
Registered electors
	Conservative gain from Labour		Swing

• Alfred Burr was exposed as a convicted child abuser after nominations closed, resulting in the withdrawal of his endorsement by the New Britain Party and his withdrawal from election six days before the date of the by-election.

General election October 1974: Ilford North

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Millie Miller	20,621	42.48	+4.48
	Conservative	Thomas Iremonger	19,843	40.88	+2.32
	Liberal	Gareth Wilson	8,080	16.64	-6.80
Majority			778	1.60	N/A
Turnout			48,544	74.46	-5.15
Registered electors			65,195
	Labour gain from Conservative		Swing

See also

• 1954 Ilford North by-election
• 1920 Ilford by-election

References

Sources

• British Parliamentary Election Results 1974-1983, p. 27, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (MacMillan Press 1983)