1983 Bermondsey by-election

Bermondsey by-election

← 1979 24 February 1983 1983 →
Bermondsey parliamentary seat
Turnout	57.7%
First party Second party   Candidate Simon Hughes Peter Tatchell Party Liberal Labour Popular vote 17,017 7,698 Percentage 57.7% 26.1% Swing 50.9% 37.5%   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 19.4%
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.