Thread by @lewis_goodall

While we’re waiting, some by - election trivia, because, let’s face it, up you’re up you are going to enjoy it

In modern British political history there have been four full calendar years without a single by election

1992, 1998, 2010 and 2020

(These were bad years)

Winston Churchill contested no fewer than five by elections

1899-Oldham
1908-Manchester North West
1908-Dundee
1917-Dundee
1924-Westminster Abbey

Labour might think it’s having a poor run at the moment but nothing by comparison to its longest stretch without a by election gain, 18 years between the 1939 Brecon and Radnorshire by election and 1957 in Lewisham North

But between the 1988 Glasgow Govan by election and the 2003 Brent East by election Labour successfully defended every seat it held at by elections- 30 holds in total. At over 14 years it’s the longest stretch for either of the Conservatives or Labour.

Last time a seat came up twice in a single Parliament?

Bootle in 1990

Last by election prompted by bankruptcy?

The 1928 Ashton under Lyne by election, Mr Cornelius Homan (Conservative) was declared bankrupt and a by election ensued. Labour’s Albert Bellamy won the seat and apart from the subsequent 1931 by election it’s been Labour ever since.

And here’s one which might have some salience tonight- governments winning seats from the opposition

V rare- happened five times since WW2.

2021: Hartlepool
2017: Copeland
1982: Mitcham and Morden
1960: Brighouse and Spenborough
1953: Sunderland South

(NB technically it’s happened six times but we should discount 1961 Bristol South East- technically Tories won it but only because Tony Benn was declared ineligible as he was a peer)

Told you you'd be glad to stay up