2000 Falkirk West by-election

The 2000 Falkirk West by-election was a parliamentary by-election held on 21 December 2000 for the Scottish constituency of Falkirk West.

2000 Falkirk West by-election

← 199721 December 20002001 →
 First partySecond party
 
CandidateEric JoyceDavid Kerr
PartyLabourSNP
Popular vote8,4927,787
Percentage43.5%39.9%
SwingDecrease15.9ppIncrease16.5pp

 Third partyFourth party
 
CandidateCraig StevensonIain Hunter
PartyConservativeScottish Socialist
Popular vote1,621989
Percentage8.3%5.1%
SwingDecrease3.8ppNew

MP before election

Dennis Canavan
Labour

Elected MP

Eric Joyce
Labour

The vacancy was caused by the resignation from the House of Commons of Dennis Canavan, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Falkirk West. Canavan had first been elected for West Stirlingshire in the October 1974 election as a Labour Party candidate, and had held that seat until its abolition in 1983. He had then won the new Falkirk West seat, and held that seat as a Labour MP until he was expelled from Labour in 1999. He then sat as an Independent until he resigned on 21 November 2000 by accepting the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.

A by-election to fill the seat was held on 21 December. The Scottish National Party mounted a strong challenge, but fell 705 votes short of winning.

Results

Falkirk West by-election, 2000[1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourEric Joyce 8,492 43.5 −15.9
SNPDavid Kerr7,78739.9+16.5
ConservativeCraig Stevenson1,6218.3−3.8
Scottish SocialistIain Hunter9895.1New
Liberal DemocratsHugh O'Donnell6153.2−1.9
Majority7053.6-32.3
Turnout19,50436.1-36.5
Labour holdSwing-16.2

General Election result, 1997

General Election 1997: Falkirk West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
LabourDennis Canavan 22,772 59.3
SNPDavid Alexander8,98923.4
ConservativeCarol Buchanan4,63912.1
Liberal DemocratsDerek Houston1,9705.1
Majority1378335.9
Turnout3837072.6
Labour holdSwing

See also

References