1955 Orpington by-election

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The 1955 Orpington by-election was a parliamentary by-election held on 20 January 1955 for the British House of Commons constituency of Orpington in Kent, England. It followed the death of the incumbent Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) Sir Waldron Smithers. The seat was held by the Conservatives.

The by-election was notable in that Sumner as the incumbent chairman of the divisional Conservative Association defeated Margaret Thatcher to be adopted prospective candidate for the local constituency. [1] The Liberal Party announced that it would not contest the by-election. [2]

Result

1955 Orpington by-election [3]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Donald Sumner 20,082 65.8 +3.1
Labour R. David Vaughan Williams10,42634.2−3.1
Majority9,65631.6+6.2
Turnout 30,50855.4−26.6
Registered electors 55,069
Conservative hold Swing +3.1

References