RETURN TO COMMONS

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30216, 22 August 1963, Page 13

RETURN TO COMMONS

Huge Majority For Benn (N Z P.A -Reuter—Copyright) BRISTOL, August 20. Mr Anthony Wedgwood Benn, the "reluctant peer." was returned to the House of Commons tonight with a huge majority over three independent candidates Mr Benn, who was not opposed by the Conservative or Liberal Parties, polled 20 313 votes to 4834 for Mr El ward Martell and 287 for Mrs Marguerite Lord Mr Geoffrey Pearl, an anti-Social-ist Liberal-Conservative, who announced earlier he would throw his support to Mr Martell. received 44 votes Mr Benn, a leading young member of the Labour Party held the seat earlier but was forced out by the death of his father. At tha<t time he assumed the family title and automatically changed to House of Lords. At the 1950 General Election. Mr Benn received 26.273 votes, a majority of 5827 over the Conservative. At the byelection ensuing from Mr Benn's elevation to the peerage in 1961. he stood again and received 23 275 votes a majority of 13 044 However, he was ineligible to take the seat in the House of Commons and his Conservative opponent. Mr Malcolm St Clair, was declared elected Mr St Clair resigned the seat when Mr Benn renounced his title under the new Peerage Reform Act.