New By-Election Shock For Govt.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 13

New By-Election Shock For Govt.

(N ■ZJ’ .A.-Reuter—Copyright)

DERBY (England), April 18. Socialists and Liberals are elated and Conservative supporters freshly shaken by the Derby by-election yesterday, in which Labour more than trebled its previous majority and Liberals ousted Conservatives from second place.

Socialists were happy because for the fourth time recently in contests where they were defending their own seats, they have increased their majority. Liberals, who recently cap. tured the Government stronghold of Orpington. Kent, and failed by only 973 votes to win another at Blackpool (North), were heartened at achieving the runner-up position. The figures were: Niall Macdermot (Labour), 18.407 votes. L. Irving (Liberal), 8479 votes. T. Wray (Conservative), 7502 votes. T. Lynch (National Union of Small Shopkeepers), 806 votes. Labour majority, 8018 votes. At the 1950 General Election. Labour, in a straight fight with Conservatives, had a majority of 2407 votes. Local unemployment issues dominated this particular con-

test. The Conservative shara of total votes cast was less than half that gained at the 1959 General Election—22.s per cent compared with 47 2 per cent. The Liberal intervention also cost the Labour Party some votes—Labour's share of the total was 40 4 per cent., compared with 52.8 per cent, three years ago. The Liberal candidate polled 25.4 per cent, and the Small Shopkeepers’ candidate 2.6 per cent. Politicians said the result would further confirm the belief of the middle-of-the-road Liberals that their party is launched on a subetantial re. vival. Earlier this century. Britain's ruler*, but now mustering only six members in the 630-seat House of Commons. they have been polling consistently big votes in byelections for more than a year. They are determined to field a rnauive array of candidates as. the next General Election.