2021 Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election
{{short description|2021 UK parliament by-election}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 2021 Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election
| type = parliamentary
| seats_for_election = Old Bexley and Sidcup constituency
| ongoing = no
| turnout = 33.5% ({{decrease}}36.3 pp)
| previous_election = 2019 United Kingdom general election
| previous_year = 2019
| next_election = 2024 United Kingdom general election
| next_year = 2024
| election_date = 2 December 2021
| candidate1 = Louie French
| image1 = Official Portrait of Louie French MP.jpg
| party1 = Conservative Party (UK)
| last_election1 = 64.5%
| popular_vote1 = 11,189
| percentage1 = 51.5%
| swing1 = {{Decrease}}13.0 pp
| candidate2 = Daniel Francis
| image2 = Daniel Francis MP.jpg
| party2 = Labour Party (UK)
| last_election2 = 23.5%
| popular_vote2 = 6,711
| percentage2 = 30.9%
| swing2 = {{increase}}7.4 pp
| candidate3 = Richard Tice
| image3 = Official portrait of Richard Tice MP crop 2.jpg
| party3 = Reform UK
| last_election3 = New party
| popular_vote3 = 1,432
| percentage3 = 6.6%
| swing3 = New
| map_image =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| map2_image =
| map2_size =
| title = MP
| posttitle =
| before_election = James Brokenshire
| before_party = Conservative Party (UK)
| after_election = Louie French
| after_party = Conservative Party (UK)
| country = United Kingdom
}}
A by-election was held in the UK Parliament constituency of Old Bexley and Sidcup on 2 December 2021,{{cite web|url=https://www.bexley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/Notice-of-Election-UK-Parliamentary-By-Election-for-Old%20Bexley-and-Sidcup-2021.pdf|title=NOTICE OF ELECTION UK Parliamentary By Election For OLD BEXLEY & SIDCUP|publisher=Acting Returning Officer, Electoral Services|location=Bexleyheath, Greater London|date=3 November 2021|access-date=3 November 2021|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103145405/https://www.bexley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/Notice-of-Election-UK-Parliamentary-By-Election-for-Old%20Bexley-and-Sidcup-2021.pdf|url-status=live}} following the death of the sitting member of parliament, James Brokenshire, who had been the Conservative MP for the constituency since 2010. The by-election was the fifth of the 58th Parliament, which was elected in 2019.{{Cite web|title=By-elections since the 2019 General Election|url=https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/by-elections/by-elections-2019/|access-date=8 October 2021|website=UK Parliament|archive-date=9 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509185050/https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/elections-and-voting/by-elections/by-elections-2019/|url-status=live}}
The election was won by Conservative candidate Louie French with a reduced majority.
Background
Old Bexley and Sidcup is a constituency in south-east London. The constituency includes the suburbs of East Wickham, Falconwood, Welling, Blackfen, Bexley and Sidcup. It voted to leave the European Union by 61 per cent to 39 per cent in the 2016 referendum.{{Cite web|title=Seat Details - Old Bexley and Sidcup|url=https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Old+Bexley+and+Sidcup|access-date=2021-12-11|website=www.electoralcalculus.co.uk|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211192821/https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Old+Bexley+and+Sidcup|url-status=live}}
The constituency was created in 1983 and has only elected Conservative Members of Parliament. For 18 years, former Prime Minister Edward Heath, who had represented predecessor constituencies since 1950, represented Old Bexley and Sidcup. He retired from Parliament in 2001. James Brokenshire was first elected in 2010. He had previously been the MP for Hornchurch from 2005 until it was abolished when the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies took effect in 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58844606|title=Former Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire dies, aged 53|date=8 October 2021|work=BBC News|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=9 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009143202/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58844606|url-status=live}} In 2019, he was re-elected with a majority of nearly 19,000 votes, the largest majority he had ever achieved.{{Cite news|title=Old Bexley & Sidcup parliamentary constituency - Election 2019|work=BBC News|language=en-GB|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000869|access-date=8 October 2021|archive-date=8 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008111628/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000869|url-status=live}}
Brokenshire died from cancer on 7 October 2021, while serving.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58844606|title=Former Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire dies, aged 53|date=8 October 2021 |publisher=BBC News |accessdate=8 October 2021 |archive-date=8 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008110127/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58844606 |url-status=live}} The writ of election was moved by Conservative Chief Whip Mark Spencer on 1 November.{{cite news |last=Share |first=Immy |title=Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election to take place within weeks |url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19688368.old-bexley-sidcup-by-election-take-place-within-weeks/ |access-date=2 November 2021 |work=News Shopper |date=2 November 2021 |archive-date=2 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102130948/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19688368.old-bexley-sidcup-by-election-take-place-within-weeks/ |url-status=live }}
On 3 November, polling day was confirmed for 2 December, with nominations closing on 9 November.
Candidates
On 28 October 2021, Labour announced its candidate as Daniel Francis, a councillor for Belvedere, who was the Leader of the Labour Group on Bexley Council from 2017 to 2021.{{cite news|url=https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/candidates-announced-for-bexley-by-election-to-succeed-the-late-mp-james-brokenshire/|title=Candidates announced for Bexley by-election to succeed the late MP James Brokenshire|access-date=3 November 2021|last=Evans|first=Kiro|work=London News Online|date=1 November 2021|archive-date=3 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211103094209/https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/candidates-announced-for-bexley-by-election-to-succeed-the-late-mp-james-brokenshire/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://labourlist.org/2021/10/daniel-francis-selected-as-labour-candidate-for-old-bexley-and-sidcup/|title=Daniel Francis selected as Labour candidate for Old Bexley and Sidcup|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|date=28 October 2021|accessdate=28 October 2021|website=LabourList|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028205314/https://labourlist.org/2021/10/daniel-francis-selected-as-labour-candidate-for-old-bexley-and-sidcup/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://democracy.bexley.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2475|title=Councillor details - Councillor Daniel Francis|publisher=London Borough of Bexley|accessdate=29 October 2021|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029134923/https://democracy.bexley.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2475|url-status=live}} The other shortlisted Labour candidates were Marcus Storm, Luke Murphy, and Rachel Taggart-Ryan{{relevant?|date=December 2021}}.{{cite web|url=https://labourlist.org/2021/10/revealed-labour-shortlist-of-candidates-for-old-bexley-and-sidcup-by-election/|title=Revealed: Labour shortlist of candidates for Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election|last=Rodgers|first=Sienna|date=27 October 2021|accessdate=29 October 2021|website=LabourList|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028154641/https://labourlist.org/2021/10/revealed-labour-shortlist-of-candidates-for-old-bexley-and-sidcup-by-election/|url-status=live}}
On 29 October, Reform UK announced that their leader Richard Tice would be their candidate.{{Cite news|last=Diver|first=Tony|date=29 October 2021|title=I'll land a by-election blow on Boris Johnson's nanny state, says Reform UK leader|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/10/29/land-by-election-blow-boris-johnsons-nanny-state-says-reform/|access-date=29 October 2021|issn=0307-1235|archive-date=29 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029203838/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/10/29/land-by-election-blow-boris-johnsons-nanny-state-says-reform/|url-status=live}}
On 30 October, Bexley councillor Louie French was chosen as the Conservative candidate.{{Cite web|date=30 October 2021|title=Tories select councillor Louie French for Old Bexley and Sidcup byelection|url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/30/tories-select-councillor-louie-french-for-old-bexley-and-sidcup-byelection|last=Bryant|first=Miranda|access-date=30 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030154849/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/30/tories-select-councillor-louie-french-for-old-bexley-and-sidcup-byelection|url-status=live}} French had represented the Falconwood & Welling ward since 2014.{{Cite web|date=|title=Councillor Louie French|url=https://democracy.bexley.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2521|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Bexley London Borough Council|language=en|archive-date=3 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203110730/https://democracy.bexley.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=2521}}
The Green Party selected Jonathan Rooks, a lecturer at South Bank University,{{cite web |title=Jonathan Rooks |url=https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/about-us/people/people-finder/jonathan-rooks#id_first |website=London South Bank University |access-date=22 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419062235/https://www.lsbu.ac.uk/about-us/people/people-finder/jonathan-rooks |archive-date=19 April 2021}} who had previously contested the seat in 2010.
David Kurten, a Former Member of the London Assembly for UKIP, stood for the Heritage Party, which he founded and leads.{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19702189.candidates-old-bexley-sidcup-by-election-announced/|title=Candidates for Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election announced|last=O'Byrne Mulligan|first=Euan|date=8 October 2021|website=News Shopper|access-date=23 November 2021|archive-date=23 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123121754/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19702189.candidates-old-bexley-sidcup-by-election-announced/|url-status=live}}
Care worker Simone Reynolds was selected as the candidate for the Liberal Democrats. Reynolds previously contested the seat in 2019.{{Cite web|last=Mulligan|first=Euan O'Byrne|date=2021-12-01|title=Old Bexley & Sidcup by-election: Liberal Democrat candidate asks for your vote|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19754611.old-bexley-sidcup-by-election-liberal-democrat-candidate/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-15|website=News Shopper|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215132210/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19754611.old-bexley-sidcup-by-election-liberal-democrat-candidate/}}
Mad Mike Young, a former Minster Parish Councillor, was selected for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.{{Cite web|last=Nurden|first=John|date=2021-11-29|title=Sheppey's veteran Loony Party candidate Mad Mike Young has thrown his hat into the ring in the battle for the Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election|url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/monster-raving-loony-party-to-stand-in-old-bexley-by-electio-258276/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-12-15|website=Kent Online|language=en|archive-date=15 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215132210/https://www.kentonline.co.uk/sheerness/news/monster-raving-loony-party-to-stand-in-old-bexley-by-electio-258276/}}
When nominations closed on 9 November it was announced that there were 11 candidates.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bexley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/Statement-of-persons-nominated-notice-of-poll-and-situation-of-polling-stations-9-november-2021.pdf |title=STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED, NOTICE OF POLL AND SITUATION OF POLLING STATIONS |access-date=9 November 2021 |archive-date=9 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109190232/https://www.bexley.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-11/Statement-of-persons-nominated-notice-of-poll-and-situation-of-polling-stations-9-november-2021.pdf |url-status=live }}
Results
File:2021 Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election.svg
Changes to the vote share are relative to the result in the 2019 general election.
{{Election box begin|title=2021 Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election{{Cite news|date=December 3, 2021|title=Old Bexley and Sidcup: Tories hold safe London seat at by-election|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-59505204|url-status=live|access-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203105715/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-59505204|archive-date=December 3, 2021}}}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party=Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate=Louie French
|votes=11,189
|percentage=51.5
|change= –13.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Daniel Francis|votes=6,711|percentage=30.9|change=+7.4}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Reform UK|candidate=Richard Tice|votes=1,432|percentage=6.6|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Jonathan Rooks|votes=830|percentage=3.8|change=+0.6}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Simone Reynolds|votes=647|percentage=3.0|change=–5.3}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=English Democrats|candidate=Elaine Cheeseman|votes=271|percentage=1.3|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=United Kingdom Independence Party|candidate=John Poynton|votes=184|percentage=0.8|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Rejoin EU|candidate=Richard Hewison|votes=151|percentage=0.7|change= New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Heritage Party (UK)|candidate=David Kurten|votes=116|percentage=0.5|change=New}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Christian Peoples Alliance|candidate=Carol Valinejad|votes=108|percentage=0.5|change=±0.0}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Official Monster Raving Loony Party|candidate=Mad Mike Young|votes=94|percentage=0.4|change=New}}
{{Election box majority|votes=4,478|percentage=20.6|change=–20.4}}
{{Election box turnout|votes=21,733|percentage=33.5|change=–36.3}}
{{Election box rejected
|votes=50
|percentage=0.2
|change=
}}
{{Election box total ballots
|votes=21,783
|percentage=33.6
|change=
}}
{{Election box registered electors|
|reg. electors = 64,831
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = –10.2
}}
{{Election box end}}
Previous result
{{Election box begin|title=General election 2019: Old Bexley and Sidcup
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=James Brokenshire
|votes=29,786
|percentage= 64.5
|change=+3.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Dave Tingle|votes=10,834|percentage=23.5|change=–5.8}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Simone Reynolds|votes=3,822|percentage=8.3|change=+5.0}}
{{Election box candidate with party link||party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Matt Browne|votes=1,477|percentage=3.2|change=+1.5}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Christian Peoples Alliance|candidate=Carol Valinejad|votes=226|percentage=0.5|change=+0.3}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 18,952
|percentage = 41.0
|change = +8.8
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 46,145
|percentage = 69.8
|change = –3.0
}}
{{Election box registered electors|
|reg. electors = 66,104
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +4.4
}}
{{Election box end}}
References
{{reflist}}{{By-elections to the 58th UK Parliament|state=collapsed}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Old Bexley and Sidcup by-election, 2021}}
Category:2021 elections in the United Kingdom