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The Member of Parliament for Ipswich in Suffolk, Jamie Cann, of the Labour Party died on 15 October 2001.
The by-election was held on 22 November that year, and was the first of six by-elections which took place during the 53rd Parliament (2001–05).
With Labour still basking in the glow of their landslide general election victory just five months earlier, no opposition party was able to mount an effective challenge. The Liberal Democrats improved their position somewhat but remained in third place, and the Labour candidate Chris Mole was returned with a majority of over 4,000 votes.
The declaration broke with tradition by using live computer images, club music and lasers after the result was announced.[1][2][3]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labour | Chris Mole | 11,881 | 43.4 | −8.0 | |
| Conservative | Paul West | 7,794 | 28.4 | −2.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Tessa Munt | 6,146 | 22.4 | +7.2 | |
| CPA | David Coope | 581 | 2.1 | New | |
| UKIP | Jonathan Wright | 276 | 1.0 | −0.6 | |
| Green | Tony Slade | 255 | 0.9 | New | |
| Legalise Cannabis | John Ramirez | 236 | 0.9 | New | |
| Socialist Alliance | Peter Leach | 152 | 0.6 | −0.2 | |
| English Independence | Nicolas Winskill | 84 | 0.3 | New | |
| Majority | 4,087 | 14.9 | −5.8 | ||
| Turnout | 27,405 | 40.2 | −16.8 | ||
| Labour hold | Swing | -5.9 | |||
- ^ "Labour victory in Ipswich by-election". BBC News. 23 November 2001. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024.
The poll saw election officials break new ground for a parliamentary election count by using live computer images, club music and lasers to make the evening more lively.
- ^ Donnelly, Rachel (22 November 2001). "Ipswich poll may be eclipsed by soccer fixture". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024.
In total, nine candidates will contest the seat. For the first time at a parliamentary election, count election officials will use live computer images, club music and lasers to enliven the evening.
- ^ Uploaded by David Boothroyd. Carrie Gracie presents with featured reporters and guests including Laura Trevelyan of BBC News, Andrew Neil of BBC News, Angela Smith (Labour MP for Basildon), Andrew Rosindell (Conservative MP for Romford) and Lord Razzall of the Liberal Democrats. Ipswich byelection result (Video). Event occurs at 28:14. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Boothroyd, David. "Results of Byelections in the 2001-2005 Parliament". United Kingdom Election Results. Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 5 October 2015.