1971 Southampton Itchen by-election

The Southampton Itchen by-election of 27 May 1971 was held after the Speaker of the House of Commons and Member of Parliament (MP) Horace King retired. The seat was gained by the Labour Party (although King had initially sat as a Labour MP). The by-election was noted for the strong performance of the far right National Democratic Party, who had developed a following in the constituency.[1]

Results edit

Southampton Itchen by-election, 1971[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Bob Mitchell 22,575 55.36 N/A
Conservative James Spicer 12,900 31.63 New
National Democratic Edwin Bray 3,090 7.58 -14.32
Liberal Joseph Cherryson 2,214 5.43 New
Majority 9,675 23.73
Turnout 40,779
Labour gain from Speaker Swing
General election 1970: Southampton Itchen
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Speaker Horace King 29,417 67.2
National Democratic Edwin Bray 9,581 21.9
Independent B. H. Phillips 4,794 11.0
Majority 19,836 45.3
Turnout 43,792 54.1
Speaker hold Swing

References edit

  1. ^ Martin Walker, The National Front, Glasgow: Fontana Collins, 1977, p. 100
  2. ^ "1970 -71 By Election Results". Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 8 September 2015.