1997 Uxbridge by-election

The Uxbridge by-election, 1997 was a parliamentary by-election held in July 1997 to elect a new Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency of Uxbridge in Greater London, England. The seat was held by the Conservative Party, their first such victory since 1989.

Uxbridge by-election
31 July 1997
 
Candidate John Randall Andy Slaughter Keith Kerr
Party Conservative Labour Liberal Democrats
Popular vote 16,288 12,522 1,792
Percentage 51.1% 39.3% 5.6%
MP before election

Michael Shersby
Conservative

 Subsequent MP

John Randall
Conservative

Background

The vacancy was caused by the death of the Conservative MP Michael Shersby, who died unexpectedly on 8 May 1997, just seven days after his being returned to the House of Commons at the 1997 general election. Although that election saw the end of 18 years of Conservative rule as Labour won by a landslide, Shersby won a narrow victory over Labour Party candidate David Williams.

The by-election was called for Thursday, 31 July 1997 and was the first by-election of the 1997-2001 parliament.

Candidates

David Williams, the Labour general election candidate was not placed on the by-election shortlist, which the BBC reported had "infuriated" some members.[1] Activist Michael Shrimpton was also passed over, leading to his defection to the Conservatives.[2][3] The Labour Party eventually chose Andy Slaughter, the Leader of Hammersmith and Fulham Council, over the Barrister Willie Bach from Nottinghamshire. The Conservative Party selected John Randall, the Managing Director of the century-old Randall's Furniture Store in Uxbridge. Keith Kerr, a senior executive with British Airways, represented the Liberal Democrats. Eight other candidates also stood, including perennial candidates Screaming Lord Sutch and Ronnie Carroll.

Campaign

Labour's concentrated campaign included an unusual visit by Prime Minister Tony Blair. This was unusual in that a sitting Prime Minister does not normally campaign personally in by-elections for fear that a defeat may harm his own political standing. Conservative leader William Hague was the first leader of his party to campaign in a by-election for 20 years. The Conservative campaign was criticised by some members for keeping records of how much time would-be future parliamentary candidates had spent in the constituency.[4]

Results and aftermath

In the end, the Conservative candidate was elected by a large majority, gaining over 50% of all votes cast, while the Labour and Liberal Democrat votes both fell. It was the first time the Conservatives held onto a seat at a by-election since the 1989 Richmond by-election (when the candidate was William Hague - who had become leader of the party shortly before the Uxbridge by-election).

Randall represented the seat (and its successor, Uxbridge and South Ruislip) until standing down in 2015.[5] Slaughter entered parliament eight years later, winning the seat of Ealing, Acton and Shepherds Bush in 2005. He has represented the Hammersmith constituency since 2010.[6]

Uxbridge by-election, 1997[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Randall 16,288 51.1 +7.6
Labour Andy Slaughter 12,522 39.3 -2.5
Liberal Democrats Keith Kerr 1,792 5.6 -5.4
Monster Raving Loony Screaming Lord Sutch 396 1.3 New
Socialist Alternative Julia Leonard 259 0.8 -0.1
BNP Frances Taylor 205 0.7 New
National Democrats Ian Anderson 157 0.5 New
National Front John McAuley 110 0.3 New
Independent Liberal Henry Middleton 69 0.2 New
UKIP James Feisenberger 39 0.1 New
Rainbow Dream Ticket Ronnie Carroll 30 0.1 New
Majority 3,766 11.8 +10.1
Turnout 31,867 55.2 -16.9
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1997: Uxbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Shersby 18,095 43.5
Labour David Williams 17,371 41.8
Liberal Democrats Andrew Malyan 4,528 10.9
Referendum Garrick Aird 1,153 2.8 New
Socialist Alternative Julia Leonard 398 1.0 New
Majority 724 1.7
Turnout 41,545 72.3
Conservative hold Swing

See also
  • List of United Kingdom by-elections

References
  1. "Tories hold onto Uxbridge". BBC Politics 97. BBC News. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  2. Copley, Joy (26 July 1997). "Blair hits the campaign trail again". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 24 September 2003. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  3. "Labour Activist Defects in Uxbridge". BBC News. 25 July 1997. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  4. "Tories Mark Time as Nominations Close for Uxbridge By-election". BBC Politics 97. BBC News.
  5. "Sir John Randall to step down as Uxbridge MP". Hillingdon Times. Newsquest London & Essex. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
  6. "Andy Slaughter MP". UK Parliament. Retrieved 28 June 2015.
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