The Leeds North East byelection of 9 February 1956 was a

by-election A by-election, also known as a special election in the United States and the Philippines, a bye-election in Ireland, a bypoll in India, or a Zimni election (Urdu: ضمنی انتخاب, supplementary election) in Pakistan, is an election used to f ...

to the

House of Commons The House of Commons is the name for the elected lower house of the bicameral parliaments of the United Kingdom and Canada. In both of these countries, the Commons holds much more legislative power than the nominally upper house of parliament. ...

. It was caused when the sitting Member, Osbert Peake, was awarded a

Viscount A viscount ( , for male) or viscountess (, for female) is a title used in certain European countries for a noble of varying status. In many countries a viscount, and its historical equivalents, was a non-hereditary, administrative or judicial ...

cy in the New Year's Honours list (he took the title Viscount Ingleby). Sir

Keith Joseph Keith Sinjohn Joseph, Baron Joseph, (17 January 1918 – 10 December 1994), known as Sir Keith Joseph, 2nd Baronet, for most of his political life, was a British politician, intellectual and barrister. A member of the Conservative Party, he ...

kept the seat for the

Conservative Party The Conservative Party is a name used by many political parties around the world. These political parties are generally right-wing though their exact ideologies can range from center-right to far-right. Political parties called The Conservative P ...

with a slightly reduced numerical majority, but increased in percentage terms.

Candidates

The Conservative Party's choice of Sir

reflected his strong performance at the 1955 general election when he had failed to be elected, but only by 125 votes, in the London constituency of Baron's Court. Joseph was then a 37-year-old director of building and civil engineering companies and non-practising Barrister. The Labour Party chose Harry Waterman, who had fought the constituency in the previous election. He was a 38-year-old local solicitor and a member of the

Fabian Society The Fabian Society is a British socialist organisation whose purpose is to advance the principles of social democracy and democratic socialism via gradualist and reformist effort in democracies, rather than by revolutionary overthrow. The Fa ...

. The election was a 'straight fight' with no

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

or Independent candidate intervening.

Results

Sir Keith Joseph won with a majority of 5,869 on a turnout substantially down on the general election. He achieved a slight swing towards his party compared to 1955. He held the seat until he retired in 1987.

Votes

References

*"The Times House of Commons Supplement" Issued June 1957. {{By-elections to the 41st UK Parliament Leeds North East by-election Leeds North East by-election North East, 1956 North East by-election, 1956 Leeds North East by-election

Candidates

Results

Votes

See also

References