Birmingham Northfield by-election, 1982

The Birmingham Northfield by-election of October 28,1982 was held after the death of Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Jocelyn Cadbury on July 31, 1982. The seat was gained by the Labour Party in a defeat for Margaret Thatcher's government.

Candidates

*John Spellar would later serve as MP for Warley West.
*Roger Gale would later serve as MP for North Thanet.
*Stephen Ridley, a solicitor, ran on a campaign of introducing works councils to give workers more say in their jobs and improving local amenities. [ [http://www.geocities.com/byelections79/northfield82/Liberal.html Ridley's election leaflet] ]
*Ian Anderson emerged as the leading figure of the Flag Group wing of the National Front and later became leader of the party.
*Peter Sheppard ran on an anti-National Front, anti-Margaret Thatcher platform. He was chairman of the All Birmingham Committee Against Racism and Fascism. [ [http://www.geocities.com/byelections79/northfield82/sheppard.html Sheppard's election leaflet] ]
*Bill Boaks, a serial independent candidate during the 1970s who frequently managed only double figure vote totals, was standing in his final by-election (he was also a candidate in the Peckham by-election, which was held simultaneously).

Results

Election box begin
title=Birmingham Northfield by-election, 1982Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = John Spellar
votes = 15,904
percentage = 36.3
change = −8.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Roger Gale
votes = 15,615
percentage = 35.6
change = −9.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Stephen Ridley
votes = 11,453
percentage = 26.1
change = +18.0Election box candidate with party link
party = National Front (UK)
candidate = Ian Anderson
votes = 411
percentage = 0.9
change = -0.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Communist Party of Great Britain
candidate = Peter Sheppard
votes = 349
percentage = 0.8
change = N/AElection box candidate|
party = People's Progressive Party
candidate = Ronald Taylor
votes = 63
percentage = 0.2
change = N/AElection box candidate
party = Democratic Monarchist, Public Safety, White Resident
candidate = Bill Boaks
votes = 60
percentage = 0.1
change = N/AElection box majority
votes = 289
percentage = 0.7
change = Election box turnout
votes = 43,855
percentage = 55.0
change = Election box gain with party link
winner = Labour Party (UK)
loser = Conservative Party (UK)
swing = -0.51

References