2012 Manchester Central by-election

Last updated

2012 Manchester Central by-election
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg
←  2010 15 November 2012 2015  →
The Manchester Central seat in the House of Commons
Turnout18.2%
 First partySecond party
  Official portrait of Lucy Powell MP crop 2.jpg No image wide.svg
Candidate Lucy Powell Marc Ramsbottom
Party Labour Co-op Liberal Democrats
Popular vote11,5071,571
Percentage69.1%9.4%
SwingIncrease2.svg16.4%Decrease2.svg17.2%
MP before election

Tony Lloyd
Labour

Subsequent MP

Lucy Powell
Labour

On 15 November 2012, a by-election was held for the UK House of Commons constituency of Manchester Central. [1]

Contents

Lucy Powell of the Labour Party won with 69% of the vote (it has historically been a safe Labour seat), with the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives losing significant numbers of votes compared with the 2010 general election (with the Conservatives losing their deposit). In terms of loss of share of the vote it was the Lib Dems' worst result in a parliamentary by-election since the Second World War. [2] [3] There was an unusually low turnout of just 18.2%, the lowest in a Parliamentary by-election since the Second World War. [4]

The by-election was held on the same day as the Cardiff South and Penarth and Corby by-elections, and the first ever Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Background

On 14 February 2012, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Manchester Central, Tony Lloyd, announced his intention to resign to seek the Labour Party nomination for the inaugural Police and Crime Commissioner elections for the Greater Manchester Police area which was also held on 15 November 2012. The England and Wales Police and Crime Commissioner elections were on the same day. [5] [6] [7] On 17 March 2012, Lloyd was selected by Labour unopposed. [8] On 22 October 2012, Tony Lloyd was appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead, a device with which resignations from the House of Commons is administered. [9] Lloyd successfully won the PCC election. PCC election candidates did not have to resign their seats in Parliament upon becoming a nominee. However, in the event of their victory in the election they would have been obliged to do so. [10] Knowing that his likelihood of victory in a traditionally pro-Labour region was high, Lloyd chose to resign early in order for the Westminster by-election to be able to be held at the same time as the PCC election rather than forcing voters to go to the polls again a few weeks later. The decision to resign upon nomination rather than victory was similarly made by Alun Michael, who had been nominated as a PCC candidate for the South Wales Police area and resulted in the 2012 Cardiff South and Penarth by-election being held on the same day.

All registered Parliamentary electors of the Manchester Central constituency (i.e. British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens living in the UK and British citizens living overseas) who were aged 18 or over on 15 November 2012 were entitled to vote in the by-election. The deadline for voters to register to vote in the by-election was midnight on Wednesday 31 October 2012. [11] However, those who qualified as an anonymous elector had until midnight on Thursday 8 November 2012 to register to vote. [12]

Candidates

Nominations closed and 12 candidates were confirmed on 31 October. [13]

On 28 March 2012, Labour confirmed a shortlist of eight candidates. [14] Lucy Powell, Chief of Staff, to party leader Ed Miliband was selected on 16 April. [15] The satirical magazine, Private Eye , reported on Powell's selection noting that "the previous favourite to succeed Lloyd had been Mohammed Afzal Khan, the first ever Asian lord mayor of Manchester, with a good deal of popular local backing and a city councillor since 2000. But nothing could be left to chance and Khan was mysteriously dropped from the Labour party's candidate shortlist - in order to gift the seat to Powell." [16] Powell was also nominated by the Co-operative Party. [17]

The Liberal Democrats chose the former City Councillor Marc Ramsbottom on 18 June 2012, declaring the by-election "a two horse race". [18]

On 17 October 2012, the Conservative Party chose Matthew Sephton, Chairman of LGBTory and Deputy Chairman of the party in Altrincham and Sale West, as their candidate. Sephton had previously stood as the Conservative candidate in Salford and Eccles during the 2010 general election. [19]

Following a membership meeting [20] the British National Party chose Eddy O'Sullivan as its candidate.

The former Lord Mayor of Norwich [21] Tom Dylan was the Green Party candidate. [22]

Respect initially chose Kate Hudson as its candidate, but she stood down because of George Galloway's comments about rape. [23] [24] On 30 October 2012, local "community advocate" Catherine Higgins was selected as the Respect candidate. [25]

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition announced its intention to contest this by-election (and a council by-election in Liverpool and the election for Mayor of Bristol on the same day) with the PCS Union's North-West vice-chair Alex Davidson chosen on 10 October. [26]

Pirate Party UK chose their Leader, Loz Kaye. [27]

Howling Laud Hope, party leader, stood for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party under the description Monster Raving Loony William Hill Party.

Local factory worker Peter Clifford announced on 21 July that he intended to stand as the Communist League candidate. [28] Clifford told The Guardian newspaper on 8 August that "the power of working people... counts more than an election result." [29]

On 29 August 2012, the newly formed People's Democratic Party announced that its candidate would be the party leader and former Conservative and anti-Iraq War activist, Lee Holmes. [30] Holmes told Mancunian Matters that Manchester politics "represented all that was wrong with British democracy". [31] He admitted to The Guardian that he had never lived in Manchester. [32]

By-election result

ElectionPolitical resultCandidatePartyVotes%±%
Manchester Central by-election
Resignation of Tony Lloyd
Turnout: 16,648 (18.2%) −28.5		 Labour Co-op hold
Majority: 9,936 (59.7%) +33.6
Swing: 16.8% from Lib Dem to Lab 		Lucy Powell Labour Co-op 11,50769.1+16.4
Marc Ramsbottom Liberal Democrats 1,5719.4−17.2
Matthew Sephton Conservative 7544.5−7.3
Chris Cassidy UKIP 7494.5+3.0
Tom Dylan Green 6523.9+1.6
Eddy O'Sullivan BNP 4923.0−1.1
Loz Kaye Pirate 3081.9N/A
Alex Davidson TUSC 2201.3N/A
Catherine Higgins Respect 1821.1N/A
Howling Laud Hope Monster Raving Loony 780.5N/A
Lee Holmes People's Democratic Party710.4N/A
Peter Clifford Communist League 640.4N/A
General election 2010
New boundaries
Turnout: 39,927 (46.7%) +4.9		 Labour hold
Majority: 10,430 (26.1%)
Swing: 6.1% from Lab to Lib Dem 		Tony Lloyd Labour 21,05952.7−6.6
Marc Ramsbottom Liberal Democrats 10,62026.6+5.6
Suhail Rahuja Conservative 4,70411.8+1.3
Tony Trebilcock BNP 1,6364.1N/A
Gayle O'Donovan Green 9152.3−1.9
Nicola Weatherill UKIP 6071.5−0.3
Ron Sinclair Socialist Labour 1530.4−0.2
John Cartwright Independent 1200.3N/A
Jonty Leff Workers Revolutionary 590.1N/A
Robert Skelton Socialist Equality 540.1N/A

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alun Michael</span> Welsh politician (born 1943)

Alun Edward Michael is a Welsh Labour and Co-operative politician serving as South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner since 2012. He served as Secretary of State for Wales from 1998 to 1999 and then as the first First Secretary of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour from 1999 to 2000.

David Charles Jamieson is a British politician who served as the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner from 2014 to 2021. A member of the Labour Party, he was previously the Member of Parliament (MP) for Plymouth Devonport from 1992 to 2005 and a Solihull Metropolitan Borough Councillor from 2010 to 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Lloyd</span> British Labour politician (born 1950)

Sir Anthony Joseph Lloyd is a British politician who has discontinuously served as a Member of Parliament (MP) since 1983. Representing Rochdale since 2017, he served as MP for Stretford from 1983 to 1997 and Manchester Central from 1997 to 2012. A member of the Labour Party, Lloyd was Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner and later interim Mayor of Greater Manchester between 2012 and 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections</span>

The 2012 police and crime commissioner elections were polls held in most police areas in England and Wales on Thursday 15 November. The direct election of police and crime commissioners (PCCs) was originally scheduled for May 2012 but was postponed in order to secure the passage of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 through the House of Lords. The government considers the elected commissioners to have a stronger mandate than the "unelected and invisible police authorities that they replace". The elections took place alongside by-elections for the House of Commons in Cardiff South and Penarth, Corby and Manchester Central, and a mayoral election in Bristol.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Police and crime commissioner</span> Elected official responsible for the effective policing of a police area in England or Wales

A police and crime commissioner is an elected official in England and Wales responsible for generally overseeing police forces. A police, fire and crime commissioner (PFCC) is an elected official in England responsible for generally overseeing both police forces and fire services. Commissioners replaced now-abolished police authorities. The first incumbents were elected on 15 November 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loz Kaye</span>

Laurence "Loz" Kaye is a British musician, composer, activist and politician. Kaye was Leader of Pirate Party UK from 26 September 2010 to 9 May 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucy Powell</span> British Labour Co-op politician (born 1974)

Lucy Maria Powell is a British politician serving as Shadow Leader of the House of Commons since 2023. A member of the Labour and Co-operative parties, she has been Member of Parliament (MP) for Manchester Central since 2012.

Following the resignation of the sitting MP Alun Michael on 22 October 2012, a by-election for the Cardiff South and Penarth Westminster constituency was held on 15 November 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Jones (police commissioner)</span>

Robert Moelwyn Jones, CBE was a British Labour politician who served as a member of Wolverhampton City Council from 1980 to 2013 and as the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner from 2012-14.

Ann Christine Barnes was the first Kent Police and Crime Commissioner. She was previously the Chairman of Kent Police Authority for six years and Deputy Chair of the National Association of Police Authorities for three years.

The 2014 West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner by-election was a by-election for the position of Police and Crime Commissioner in the West Midlands Police region of the United Kingdom, held on 21 August 2014. It was triggered by the death of Bob Jones, the inaugural West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, who died on 1 July 2014.

The South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner by-election was a 2014 by-election on 30 October 2014 for the position of Police and Crime Commissioner in the South Yorkshire Police region of the United Kingdom. It was triggered by the resignation of Shaun Wright, the inaugural South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, who stepped down from the position on 16 September 2014 following the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal. Wright had been head of children's services in Rotherham between 2005 and 2010, while events surrounding the scandal were taking place. The Labour candidate, Alan Billings, was elected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections</span>

Elections of police and crime commissioners in England and Wales were held on 5 May 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner</span> Elected official in England

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner, previously Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner, is the police and crime commissioner, an elected official tasked with setting out the way crime is tackled by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary in the English counties of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The post was created in November 2012, following an election held on 15 November 2012, and replaced the Hampshire Police Authority. The incumbent is Donna Jones, who represents the Conservative Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Greater Manchester mayoral election</span> Mayoral election in Greater Manchester, England

The 2021 Greater Manchester mayoral election was held on 6 May 2021 to elect the mayor of Greater Manchester. This election, alongside other local and mayoral elections across England and Wales, was originally scheduled to take place on 7 May 2020, but was delayed by the UK Government on 13 March 2020, due to the unfolding COVID-19 pandemic. The election took place on the same day as council elections within the city-region, including the election for the mayor of Salford, as well as elections across England and Wales. It was the second election to the position of mayor. It used the supplementary vote as its electoral system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 England and Wales police and crime commissioner elections</span> Elections held in May 2021 in England and Wales

Elections of police and crime commissioners in England and Wales were held on 6 May 2021, on the same day as the Senedd election in Wales and the local elections in England. This was the third time police and crime commissioner elections have been held. The elections were originally due to take place in May 2020 but were postponed by 12 months in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Turnout was an average of 34.1% across the elections, with Wales having much higher turnout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Festus Akinbusoye</span> British politician

Festus Akinbusoye is a British Conservative Party politician who was elected Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner in the 2021 election. He was selected in 2023 as his party's candidate for the Mid Bedfordshire by-election following Nadine Dorries' resignation. He lost the by-election, coming in second place to the Labour candidate Alistair Strathern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emily Spurrell</span> British politician

Emily Elizabeth Spurrell is a British Labour Party politician who was elected as the Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in May 2021. She was previously a Liverpool City councillor for Mossley Hill and the deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside.

Donna Jones is a British Conservative Party politician who is the Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Stephen Mark Turner is the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). He was elected on 13 May 2021, for the Conservative Party.

References

  1. ↑ "Manchester Central by-election called". Manchester City Council. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. ↑ "Election Statistics 1918-2007. House of Commons Library Research Paper 08/12, Table 13" (PDF).
  3. ↑ By-elections in British Politics Chris Cook and John Ramsden, UCL Press, 1997 ISBN   1857285352
  4. ↑ McClean, Adam (16 November 2012). "Labour wins in Manchester Central in 'lowest turnout since Second World War'". ITV News. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
  5. ↑ MP Tony Lloyd for police commissioner? Archived 18 January 2013 at archive.today Blottr
  6. ↑ Manchester MP Tony Lloyd to stand for police commissioner BBC News
  7. ↑ Police and Crime Commissioners Home Office
  8. ↑ Labour chooses Tony Lloyd to bid to become Greater Manchester police commissioner Manchester Evening News
  9. ↑ Press Release 22 October 2012 Cabinet Office
  10. ↑ "Candidate guide - Police and Crime Commissioner elections (part 1/6)". www.electoralcommission.org.uk.
  11. ↑ The deadline for the receipt of electoral registration applications was the eleventh working day before election day.
  12. ↑ The deadline for the receipt and determination of anonymous electoral registration applications was the same as the publication date of the notice of alteration to the Electoral Register (i.e. the fifth working day before election day).
  13. ↑ Your Next Election - Manchester Central Archived 30 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Manchester City Council
  14. ↑ Manchester Central Shortlist confirmed LabourList
  15. ↑ Lucy Powell selected as Manchester Central candidate LabourList
  16. ↑ "HP Sauce". Private Eye. London: Pressdram Ltd (1313): 9. May 2012.
  17. ↑ "Lucy Powell selected as Manchester Central candidate by Co-operative Party". Archived from the original on 4 June 2013.
  18. ↑ Marc Ramsbottom chosen as Liberal Democrat candidate in Manchester Central by-election Manchester Evening News
  19. ↑ Gay Tory candidate selected to challenge Hazel Blears Pink News
  20. ↑ Manchester select Eddy O'Sullivan to stand in parliamentary election Archived 22 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine British National Party
  21. ↑ New Lord Mayor for Norwich Archived 31 August 2012 at the Wayback Machine Norwich City Council
  22. ↑ Linton, Deborah (23 October 2012). "Manchester Central by-election announced for November 15". Manchester Evening News.
  23. ↑ Hudson, Kate. "Why I am standing down as Respect Party candidate". Respect. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  24. ↑ "Galloway Rape Remark: Respect Candidate Quits". Sky News . 4 September 2012. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  25. ↑ Speak Up for Manchester Archived 3 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine Respect Party
  26. ↑ "Anti-austerity candidates selected for November contests". 10 October 2012.
  27. ↑ "Loz Kaye confirmed as PPC for Manchester Central" (Press release). Pirate Party UK. 28 June 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
  28. ↑ Mancunian Matters
  29. ↑ Clifford, Peter (8 August 2012). "Fights and campaigns by working people are what count". The Guardian.
  30. ↑ "PDP GB". PDP GB. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  31. ↑ People's Democratic Party by-election candidate: Manchester politics is 'all that is wrong with British democracy Mancunian Matters
  32. ↑ Holmes, Lee (12 September 2012). "Voters want politicians who listen to their basic concerns". The Guardian.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.