The major parties did not contest Batley and Spen after Jo Cox was murdered.
However in the cases of four MPs murdered by Irish Nationalists between 1979 and 1990 there were contested elections.
In GB the record is as follows:
Airey Neave's murder was during the 1979 General Election so no byelection followed but the Conservative in Abingdon was opposed at the GE.
A byelection in Enfield Southgate after Anthony Berry died in the Brighton bombing brought Michael Portillo to the Commons.
The Liberals took Eastbourne in the byelection following the murder of Ian Gow in 1990.
Same in NI when Robert Bradford was murdered.
It will be interesting to see whether Batley and Spen is treated as a precedent and the main opposition parties stand aside this time.
I don't think another party would have a serious chance of taking Southend West from the Tories. Amess holding his seat in 1992 was an early indication of Major's eventual victory.
Last edited by: Bromptonaut on Fri 15 Oct 21 at 22:44
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