2001 Ipswich by-election

2001 Ipswich by-election

← June 2001 22 November 2001 2005 →
  First party Second party Third party
 
Candidate Chris Mole Paul West Tessa Munt
Party Labour Conservative Liberal Democrats
Popular vote 11,881 7,794 6,146
Percentage 43.4% 28.4% 22.4%
Swing Decrease8.0pp Decrease2.1pp Increase7.2pp

MP before election

Jamie Cann
Labour

Elected MP

Chris Mole
Labour

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]

By-election 22 November 2001: Ipswich[4]
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
  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.