1979 United Kingdom general election in Wales

The 1979 United Kingdom general election in Wales saw the Labour Party win the most votes and seats in Wales.[1]

1979 United Kingdom general election in Wales

← Oct 19743 May 19791983 →

All 38 Welsh seats to the House of Commons
 First partySecond party
 
LeaderJames CallaghanMargaret Thatcher
PartyLabourConservative
Leader since5 April 197611 February 1975
Last election23 seats, 49.5%8 seats, 23.9%
Seats won2211
Seat changeDecrease1Increase3
Popular vote795,500526,300
Percentage48.6%32.2%
SwingDecrease0.9%Increase8.3%

 Third partyFourth party
 
LeaderDavid SteelGwynfor Evans
PartyLiberalPlaid Cymru
Leader since7 July 19761 August 1945
Last election2 seats, 15.5%3 seats, 10.8%
Seats won12
Seat changeDecrease1Decrease1
Popular vote173,500132,500
Percentage10.6%8.1%
SwingDecrease4.9%Decrease2.7%

Background

The Labour party won the most votes in Wales, although the Conservatives won most votes UK-wide.[1]

John Morris, Baron Morris of Aberavon was under the impression that Prime Minister James Callaghan would call a general election in the autumn of 1978, but called it off. A Welsh devolution referendum was held in March 1979, two months prior. A Welsh Assembly was rejected, with regional distrust as a potential factor.[2]

MPs elected

References