1997 Wirral South by-election

A by-election was held for the United Kingdom parliament constituency of Wirral South, in Merseyside, England, on 27 February 1997. The seat became vacant on the death of Conservative Party Member of Parliament Barry Porter, and was won by Labour's Ben Chapman.

The Conservative loss in this seat, which came close to the last possible date for a general election, meant that they no longer had a majority in the House of Commons.[1] Wirral South was the last in a run of significant Conservative losses, following a period of dissatisfaction with the Major years. This was the last Conservative loss to Labour in a by-election until the 2012 Corby by-election. Labour has held this seat since the by-election.

Result
Wirral South by-election, 1997[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Labour Ben Chapman 22,767 52.6 +18.0
Conservative Leslie Byrom 14,879 34.4 -16.5
Liberal Democrats Flo Clucas 4,357 10.1 -3.0
UKIP Richard North 410 0.9
Independent Harold Bence 184 0.4
Socialist Labour Michael Cullen 156 0.4
Disillusioned Conservative Phillip Gott 148 0.3
Independent Roger Taylor 132 0.3
Independent - anti tobacco donation Anthony Samuelson 124 0.3
Natural Law Geoffery Mead 52 0.1 -0.2
21st Century Foresters Colin Palmer 44 0.1
Independent - Thalidomide Action Group Frederick Astbury 40 0.1
Majority 7,888 18.2
Turnout 71.5
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +17.25

Previous result
General election 1992: Wirral South[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Barry Porter 25,590 50.8 +0.6
Labour Helen Southworth 17,407 34.6 +6.6
Liberal Democrats Edward T. Cunniffe 6,581 13.1 −8.7
Green Nigel Birchenough 584 1.2 N/A
Natural Law George Griffiths 182 0.4 N/A
Majority 8,183 16.3 −5.9
Turnout 50,344 82.3 +2.9
Conservative hold Swing −3.0

Notes
  1. "How the Government's Majority Disappeared". Retrieved 2007-09-26.
  2. Boothroyd, David. "Results of Byelections in the 1992-97 Parliament". United Kingdom Election Results. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
  3. "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2010-12-06.
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See also
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