1968 Dudley by-election

The 1968 Dudley by-election was a by-election held for the British House of Commons constituency of Dudley in Worcestershire on 28 March 1968. It was won by the Conservative Party candidate Donald Williams.

Vacancy

The seat had become vacant when the Labour Member of Parliament (MP), George Wigg had been appointed Chairman of the Horserace Betting Levy Board on 16 November 1967. He had held the seat since the 1945 general election and had served as Paymaster General in the Government of Harold Wilson. He was also elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Wigg, of the Borough of Dudley.

Result

The result was a clear victory for Williams in what had been a Labour safe seat. It was one of the three Conservative by-election gains from Labour on the same day, the others being at Acton and Meriden.

Williams held the seat until the 1970 general election, when he lost the seat back to the Labour candidate, John Gilbert.

Votes
Dudley by-election, 1968[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Donald Williams 28,016 58.1 +17.2
Labour John Gilbert 16,360 34.0 −25.1
Liberal Derek Bird 3,809 7.9 New
Majority 11,656 24.1 N/A
Turnout 48,185 63.5 -10.4
Conservative gain from Labour Swing +21.2
General election 1966: Dudley.[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour George Wigg 32,693 59.1
Conservative Donald Williams 22,671 40.9
Majority 10,022 18.2
Turnout 55,364 73.9
Labour hold Swing

References
  1. "1968 By Election Results". Archived from the original on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
  2. 1966 general election results at Richard Kimber's political science resources
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