1979 Clitheroe by-election

Vacancy

The seat had become vacant when the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP), David Walder had died at the age of 49 on 26 October 1978. He had held the seat since the 1970 general election, having previously been MP for High Peak in Derbyshire.

Candidates

The Conservative candidate was 49-year-old David Waddington, a barrister who had been MP for Nelson and Colne from 1968 until his defeat at the October 1974 general election. The Labour Party candidate was Lindsay Sutton, and the Liberals fielded Frank Wilson.

Result

The result was a clear victory for Waddington, with a massively increased majority of 36.6% of the votes. The Labour vote fell by a few percent, but the Liberal share of the vote collapsed to 6.6% from its 20.8% high in October 1974. The Liberal candidate also lost their deposit.

Waddington held the seat until its abolition for the 1983 general election, when he was returned for the new Ribble Valley constituency. He went on to become Home Secretary and Leader of the House of Lords.

Previous election

References

References

1. [http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i06.htm October 1974 general election results] {{Webarchive. link. (10 May 2008 at Richard Kimber's political science resources)
2. [http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i06.htm February 1974 general election results] {{Webarchive. link. (10 May 2008 at Richard Kimber's political science resources)
3. "1979 By Election Results".