List of United Kingdom by-elections (2010–present)

This is a list of parliamentary by-elections in the United Kingdom since 2010, with the names of the incumbent and victor and their respective parties. Where seats changed political party at the election, the result is highlighted: blue for a Conservative gain, red for a Labour gain, orange for a Liberal Democrat gain, purple for a UK Independence Party (UKIP) gain and grey for any other gain.

As of April 2020, a total of 36 by-elections has been held in this period. The first was held in January 2011 and the most recent in August 2019.

Process of resignation from the House of Commons
Main article: Resignation from the British House of Commons

Where the cause of by-election is given as "resignation" or "seeks re-election", this indicates that the incumbent was appointed on his or her own request to an "office of profit under the Crown", either the Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds or the Steward of the Manor of Northstead. Accepting an office of profit under the Crown vacates the member's seat.[1] This process is used because members of the House of Commons are not technically permitted to resign. A member who vacates their seat in this manner may stand for re-election.

By-elections

2019–present Parliament

There have not yet been any by-elections scheduled in the current Parliament.

2017–2019 Parliament

There were five by-elections in the 2017–2019 Parliament, which was the smallest number since the six month parliament that sat between the two general elections in 1974. Three were in seats held by Labour, one by the governing Conservatives and one by Sinn Féin, who do not take up their seats in the House of Commons. Four by-elections were won by the incumbent party and Liberal Democrats won a seat from Conservatives. One by-election was a result of the death of the incumbent MP, who represented Labour. Two by-elections were the result of recall petitions via the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act 2015, the first such in the country.

At the dissolution of Parliament in 2019 there were two vacancies: Bassetlaw and Buckingham, caused by the resignations of Labour member John Mann and the Speaker John Bercow. With the close proximity of the 2019 general election, by-elections were not called for these seats. Buckingham was regained by the Conservatives, the party Bercow had represented before he took up the position, and the Conservatives also won Bassetlaw from Labour.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Brecon and Radnorshire 1 August 2019[2] Chris Davies Conservative Jane Dodds Liberal Democrats Successful recall petition via the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act 2015, after Davies' conviction for false expenses claims, pursuant to the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009.[3][4]
Peterborough 6 June 2019 Fiona Onasanya Labour Lisa Forbes Labour Successful recall petition via the provisions of the Recall of MPs Act 2015, after Onasanya's conviction for perverting the course of justice, in relation to a motoring offence.[5][6]
Newport West 4 April 2019 Paul Flynn Labour Ruth Jones Labour Death (long illness).[7][8]
Lewisham East 14 June 2018 Heidi Alexander Labour Janet Daby Labour Resignation on appointment as Deputy Mayor of London.[9][10]
West Tyrone 3 May 2018 Barry McElduff Sinn Féin Órfhlaith Begley Sinn Féin Resignation after a social media post he made caused controversy.[11][12]

2015–2017 Parliament

There were 10 by-elections in the 2015–2017 Parliament (with a planned by-election in Manchester Gorton cancelled when the 2017 general election was called). Seven were in seats held by Labour, and three by the governing Conservatives. Eight by-elections were won by the incumbent party, the Conservatives won a seat from Labour and lost one to the Liberal Democrats. Three by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MPs, all of whom represented Labour.

At the dissolution of Parliament in 2017 there was one vacancy: Manchester Gorton, caused by the death of its Labour member Gerald Kaufman.[13] With the close proximity of the 2017 general election on 8 June, the by-election previously called for 4 May had its writ cancelled by the House of Commons.[14] All but two of the candidates nominated for the by-election then stood at the General Election, and the seat was held by Labour.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Stoke-on-Trent Central 23 February 2017[15] Tristram Hunt Labour Gareth Snell Labour Resigned to take up his new role as head of the Victoria and Albert Museum.[16]
Copeland[17] 23 February 2017[15] Jamie Reed Labour Trudy Harrison Conservative Resigned to take up his new role in the nuclear power industry.[18]
Sleaford and North Hykeham 8 December 2016[19] Stephen Phillips Conservative Caroline Johnson Conservative Resigned citing irreconcilable differences with the government.[20]
Richmond Park[2] 1 December 2016[21] Zac Goldsmith Conservative Sarah Olney Liberal Democrats Sought reelection as an Independent in opposition to the government's decision on the expansion of Heathrow Airport.[22]
Witney 20 October 2016 David Cameron Conservative Robert Courts Conservative Resigned as an MP two months after resigning as Prime Minister and Leader of Conservative Party.[23]
Batley and Spen 20 October 2016 Jo Cox Labour Tracy Brabin Labour Death (murder).[24]
Tooting 16 June 2016 Sadiq Khan Labour Rosena Allin-Khan Labour Resigned upon his election as Mayor of London.[25]
Ogmore 5 May 2016 Huw Irranca-Davies Labour Christopher Elmore[26] Labour Resigned to contest the Welsh Assembly election.[27]
Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough 5 May 2016 Harry Harpham Labour Gill Furniss[28] Labour Death (cancer).[29]
Oldham West and Royton 3 December 2015 Michael Meacher Labour Jim McMahon Labour Death (short illness).[30]

2010–2015 Parliament

There were 21 by-elections in the 2010–2015 Parliament. 14 were in seats held by Labour, four by the governing Conservatives, one by their coalition partners the Liberal Democrats and two by Sinn Féin, who do not take up their seats in the House of Commons. 17 by-elections were won by the incumbent party, Labour won a seat from the Conservatives and lost one to Respect, while UKIP gained two seats from the Conservatives after the incumbent MPs defected to the party and were re-elected. Six by-elections were a result of the death of the incumbent MPs, all of whom represented Labour.

By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause
Rochester and Strood[2] 20 November 2014 Mark Reckless Conservative Mark Reckless UKIP Sought re-election upon change of party allegiance[31]
Heywood and Middleton 9 October 2014[32] Jim Dobbin Labour Liz McInnes Labour Death (acute alcohol toxicity with food aspiration)[33]
Clacton[17] 9 October 2014[34] Douglas Carswell Conservative Douglas Carswell UKIP Sought re-election upon change of party allegiance[35]
Newark 5 June 2014[36] Patrick Mercer Conservative Robert Jenrick Conservative Resignation (following recommendation from the Standards Committee that he be suspended for six months for breach of the paid advocacy rule)[37]
Wythenshawe and Sale East 13 February 2014[38] Paul Goggins Labour Mike Kane Labour Death (stroke/haemorrhage)[39]
South Shields 2 May 2013 David Miliband Labour Emma Lewell-Buck Labour Resignation to join International Rescue Committee[40]
Mid Ulster 7 March 2013 Martin McGuinness Sinn Féin Francie Molloy Sinn Féin Resignation to end 'double-jobbing' as Member of Parliament and Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly[41]
Eastleigh 28 February 2013 Chris Huhne Liberal Democrats Mike Thornton Liberal Democrats Resignation following pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice[42]
Croydon North 29 November 2012 Malcolm Wicks Labour Steve Reed Labour Death (cancer)[43][44]
Middlesbrough 29 November 2012 Sir Stuart Bell Labour Andy McDonald Labour Death (cancer)[45]
Rotherham 29 November 2012 Denis MacShane Labour Sarah Champion[46] Labour Resignation (following recommendation from the Standards and Privileges Committee that he be suspended for 12 months for submitting false expenses invoices stemming from the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal)[47]
Cardiff South and Penarth 15 November 2012 Alun Michael Labour Stephen Doughty Labour Resignation to contest South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner election[48][49]
Corby[2] 15 November 2012[50] Louise Mensch Conservative Andy Sawford Labour Resignation for family reasons[51]
Manchester Central 15 November 2012 Tony Lloyd Labour Lucy Powell Labour Resignation to contest Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner election[52]
Bradford West[2] 29 March 2012 Marsha Singh Labour George Galloway Respect Resignation (serious health problems)[53]
Feltham and Heston 15 December 2011 Alan Keen Labour Seema Malhotra Labour Death (cancer)[54]
Inverclyde 30 June 2011[55] David Cairns Labour Iain McKenzie Labour Death (pancreatitis)
Belfast West 9 June 2011[56] Gerry Adams Sinn Féin Paul Maskey Sinn Féin Resignation (to contest the Louth constituency in the Irish general election)[57]
Leicester South 5 May 2011 Sir Peter Soulsby Labour Jon Ashworth Labour Resignation (to contest the mayoralty of Leicester)[58]
Barnsley Central 3 March 2011[59] Eric Illsley Labour[60] Dan Jarvis Labour Resignation (pleaded guilty to charges of false accounting stemming from the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal)[61]
Oldham East and Saddleworth 13 January 2011 Phil Woolas Labour Debbie Abrahams Labour Void election; reported personally guilty of false statements of fact concerning a candidate.[62]

References
  1. "Chiltern Hundreds" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 06 (11th ed.). 1911.
  2. Gain not retained at the subsequent general election.
  3. "MP Chris Davies unseated after petition triggers by-election". BBC News. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  4. "Brecon and Radnorshire by-election: Lib Dems beat Conservatives". BBC News. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  5. "Fiona Onasanya: Speeding offence MP ousted under recall rules". BBC News. 1 May 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  6. "Peterborough by-election: Labour beats Brexit Party to hold seat". BBC News. 7 June 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  7. "Tributes as Newport West Labour MP Paul Flynn dies aged 84". BBC News. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  8. "Newport West by-election: Labour holds on to seat". BBC News. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  9. "Labour MP Heidi Alexander to swap Commons for City Hall". BBC News. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  10. "Labour's Janet Daby wins Lewisham East in by-election". BBC News. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  11. "Barry McElduff resigns as MP for West Tyrone". BBC News. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  12. "SF's Begley wins West Tyrone by-election". BBC News. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  13. Weaver, Matthew; Pidd, Helen (27 February 2017). "Tributes paid to 'iconic' Labour MP Sir Gerald Kaufman". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  14. "Manchester Gorton by-election cancelled because of general election". BBC. 19 April 2017.
  15. "Labour announce date for by-elections to replace Tristram Hunt and Jamie Reed". 20 January 2017 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  16. "Labour's Tristram Hunt quitting as MP to head V&A Museum". Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  17. Gain retained at the subsequent general election.
  18. "Corbyn critic quits as Labour MP, triggering tight byelection race". Retrieved 21 December 2016.
  19. "Date set for Sleaford and North Hykeham by-election".
  20. "Tory MP Stephen Phillips quits over 'irreconcilable differences'". BBC News. 4 November 2019.
  21. "UKIP backing Zac Goldsmith in by-election". 27 October 2016 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  22. "Zac Goldsmith Confirms He Will Resign Over Heathrow". Huffington Post. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  23. "David Cameron quits as Conservative MP for Witney". 12 September 2016 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  24. "Jo Cox MP dead after shooting attack". BBC. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  25. "Sadiq Khan resigns as MP for Tooting". UK Parliament. 10 May 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
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  28. "Gill Furniss wins Sheffield by-election for Labour". BBC News. 6 May 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  29. "Sheffield Labour MP Harry Harpham dies". BBC News. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  30. "Labour MP Michael Meacher dies". BBC News. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
  31. "Mark Reckless defects to UKIP from Tories". BBC News. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 27 September 2014.
  32. "Second by-election set to be held on 9 October". BBC News. 10 September 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  33. Thacker, Simon (21 January 2015). "Middleton and Heywood MP Jim Dobbin died after consuming fatal amount of Polish spirits, inquest rules". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  34. "Clacton by-election to take place on 9 October". BBC News. 2 September 2014. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
  35. "Tory MP Douglas Carswell defects to Ukip and forces byelection". The Guardian. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  36. "Patrick Mercer 'deliberately evaded' MPs' rules, watchdog finds". BBC News. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  37. "Former Tory MP Mercer resigns after Commons suspension". BBC News. 29 April 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  38. "Wythenshawe and Sale East by-election date announced". BBC News. 20 January 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  39. Linton, Deborah (8 January 2014). "Labour MP Paul Goggins, 60, dies in hospital". Manchester Evening News. Archived from the original on 6 January 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  40. Watt, Nicholas (27 March 2013). "David Miliband to step down as MP". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  41. "Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness resigns as Mid-Ulster MP". BBC News. 30 December 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  42. "Eastleigh by-election: Lib Dems hold on despite UKIP surge". BBC News. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  43. Langdon, Julia (30 September 2012). "Malcolm Wicks obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  44. "Croydon North by-election: Labour's Steve Reed secures win". BBC News. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  45. "Middlesbrough MP Sir Stuart Bell dies, aged 74". BBC News. 13 October 2012.
  46. "Champion secures clear victory". ITV News. 30 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2012.
  47. "MP's expenses: Denis MacShane resigns as MP". BBC News. 2 November 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
  48. "Oxfam boss Stephen Doughty is Labour by-election candidate". BBC News. 15 July 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  49. "Labour victory in Cardiff South and Penarth by-election". BBC News. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  50. "By-elections: Labour takes Corby from Conservatives". BBC News. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  51. Cronin, Kate (6 August 2012). "Louise Mensch resigns as Corby and East Northamptonshire MP". Northamptonshire Telegraph. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  52. "Labour's Lucy Powell wins Manchester Central election". BBC News. 16 November 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
  53. "Bradford West MP Marsha Singh to stand down". BBC News. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  54. Hope, Christopher (14 November 2011). "Labour MP Alan Keen dies at 73". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  55. "Inverclyde Westminster by-election date set". BBC News. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  56. "Notice of election" (PDF). Belfast Area Electoral Office. 19 May 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  57. "John Bercow says Gerry Adams is not an MP". BBC News. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  58. "Sir Peter Soulsby to stand down as MP following selection as Labour's Mayoral Candidate". Labour East Midlands. 5 March 2011. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012.
  59. Craig, Jon (8 February 2011). "Politician Quits After Expenses Scandal". Sky News. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  60. Eric Illsley was elected as a Labour MP from 1987 and was re-elected in 2010 as a Labour candidate, but was suspended by the Labour Party shortly afterwards after being charged with fraud arising from the United Kingdom Parliamentary expenses scandal.
  61. "MPs' expenses: Eric Illsley is to stand down as MP". BBC News. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  62. "Judges order election re-run in ex-minister's seat". BBC News. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2010.

See also
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