The Stirling and Falkirk by-election, caused by the death of Malcolm Macpherson (Labour) took place on 16 September 1971. It was a three way contest between Labour, Conservative and SNP. The Labour candidate was Gregor Mackenzie who had lost his Rutherglen seat in the 1968 general election. The SNP candidate was Winifred Ewing. Labour held the seat, but their majority was reduced from 14.7% over Conservative to 8,3% over SNP. A week later the Widnes by-election, caused by the death of James MacColl (Labour) was easily held for Labour by James Dunn, who was MP for Liverpool Kirkdale from 1961 to 1968.
The elevation to the peerage of Arthur Vere Harvey (Conservative) meant there was a by-election in Macclesfield. This was held on 30 September 1971. It was won by the Conservatives, but their majority over Labour fell from 20.0% to 1.6%. Here are the percentage votes for each party (1968 general election):
Nicholas Winterton (Conservative): 33.9 (48.0)
Labour: 32.3 (28.0)
Liberal: 31.9 (24.0)
Others (2): 1.9 (n/a).
The swing from Conservative to Labour was 9.2%.
The elevation to the peerage of Arthur Vere Harvey (Conservative) meant there was a by-election in Macclesfield. This was held on 30 September 1971. It was won by the Conservatives, but their majority over Labour fell from 20.0% to 1.6%. Here are the percentage votes for each party (1968 general election):
Nicholas Winterton (Conservative): 33.9 (48.0)
Labour: 32.3 (28.0)
Liberal: 31.9 (24.0)
Others (2): 1.9 (n/a).
The swing from Conservative to Labour was 9.2%.