European Parliament By-elections: Historical Results and Trends
By-elections are critical political events held to fill a vacancy in a legislative body when a sitting member resigns, dies, or is disqualified. In the context of the European Parliament, these elections provide a snapshot of shifting political sentiments between general election cycles. From disqualifications to the passing of long-serving representatives, these contests often reveal significant swings in voter loyalty.
Key Facts
- London South West (1979): Triggered by the disqualification of Shelagh Roberts for holding an office of profit under the Crown.
- Midlands West (1987): Caused by the death of Terry Pitt; the seat was retained by Labour with a reduced majority.
- Hampshire Central (1988): Triggered by the death of Basil de Ferranti; the Conservatives held the seat with a large majority.
- Merseyside West (1996): Caused by the death of Kenneth Stewart; Labour maintained a large, though reduced, majority.
- Yorkshire South (1998): Triggered by the retirement of Norman West after 14 years; Labour held the seat despite a major reduction in their majority.
- North East Scotland (1998): Caused by the death of Allan Macartney; the SNP increased their majority.
Detailed Analysis of By-election Results
London South West (September 20, 1979)
This unusual by-election occurred shortly after the 1979 general election. The sitting Member of the European Parliament (MEP)—a representative elected to the European Parliament—Shelagh Roberts was disqualified due to holding an office of profit under the Crown. Although Roberts ran again and won, she faced a significant swing against her, with her vote share dropping by 10.8%.
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Midlands West (March 5, 1987)
Following the death of Terry Pitt, the Midlands West seat became vacant. The Labour Party managed to retain the seat with candidate John Bird securing 39.2% of the vote. However, the victory was narrower than previous contests, with the majority falling to 4,025 votes.
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Hampshire Central (December 15, 1988)
The death of Basil de Ferranti led to the Hampshire Central by-election. The Conservative candidate, Edward Kellet-Bowman, secured a decisive victory with 49% of the vote, maintaining a substantial majority of 21,442 votes over the Labour and Social and Liberal Democrats (SLD) candidates.
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Merseyside West (December 12, 1996)
Triggered by the death of Kenneth Stewart, this election saw Richard Corbett of the Labour Party hold the seat. While Labour maintained a strong lead with 53.8% of the vote, the majority saw a slight decrease of 2.8%.
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Yorkshire South (May 7, 1998)
After 14 years of service, Norman West retired, prompting a by-election in Yorkshire South. Linda McAvan of the Labour Party won the seat, but the result showed a dramatic shift in voter behavior, with Labour's majority decreasing by 31.1%.
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North East Scotland (November 26, 1998)
The death of Allan Macartney led to a contest in North East Scotland. The Scottish National Party (SNP) candidate, Ian Hudghton, successfully held the seat, actually increasing the party's majority to 27.9%.
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Summary of Election Outcomes
| Constituency | Date | Winning Party | Winning Candidate | Majority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London South West | 20 Sep 1979 | Conservative | Shelagh Roberts | 8,464 |
| Midlands West | 5 Mar 1987 | Labour | John Bird | 4,025 |
| Hampshire Central | 15 Dec 1988 | Conservative | Edward Kellet-Bowman | 21,442 |
| Merseyside West | 12 Dec 1996 | Labour | Richard Corbett | 18,704 |
| Yorkshire South | 7 May 1998 | Labour | Linda McAvan | 40,224 |
| North East Scotland | 26 Nov 1998 | SNP | Ian Hudghton | 33,701 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Shelagh Roberts disqualified in the London South West by-election?
Shelagh Roberts was disqualified because she held an office of profit under the Crown, which is a legal restriction preventing certain government appointees from serving in legislative roles.
Which by-election saw the largest reduction in the winning party's majority?
The Yorkshire South by-election in 1998 saw the most significant drop, with the Labour Party's majority decreasing by 31.1%.
Which party increased its majority during these by-elections?
The SNP increased its majority in the North East Scotland by-election on November 26, 1998.
What caused the by-elections in Midlands West, Hampshire Central, and Merseyside West?
All three of these by-elections were caused by the deaths of the sitting MEPs: Terry Pitt, Basil de Ferranti, and Kenneth Stewart, respectively.
How did the turnout compare between the London South West and North East Scotland elections?
The turnout in London South West was 99,705 voters (19.4%), while the turnout in North East Scotland was slightly higher at 120,605 voters (20.5%).