1983 Bermondsey by-election

Bermondsey by-election

← 1979 24 February 1983 1983 →

Bermondsey parliamentary seat
Turnout57.7%
  First party Second party
 
Candidate Simon Hughes Peter Tatchell
Party Liberal Labour
Popular vote 17,017 7,698
Percentage 57.7% 26.1%
Swing Increase50.9% Decrease37.5%

  Third party Fourth party
 
Candidate John O'Grady Robert Hughes
Party Real Berm. Labour Conservative
Popular vote 2,243 1,631
Percentage 7.6% 5.5%
Swing New party Decrease19.4%

MP before election

Bob Mellish
Labour

Subsequent MP

Simon Hughes
Liberal

A by-election was held in the Bermondsey constituency in South London, on 24 February 1983, following the resignation of Labour MP Bob Mellish. Peter Tatchell stood as the candidate for the Labour Party, and Simon Hughes stood for the Liberal Party. Following a bitter campaign, the Liberals made huge gains and took the seat, with a majority of votes cast. Labour's vote fell from 63.6 per cent in May 1979 to 26.1 per cent as Tatchell came a distant second, while the Conservative candidate, Robert Hughes, managed only fourth place, losing his deposit. With a swing of 44.2%, the 1983 Bermondsey by-election remains the largest by-election swing in British political history.