1977 Bournemouth East by-election

The Bournemouth East by election was a by election for the Parliament of the United Kingdom held on Thursday, 24 November 1977 after the resignation of John Cordle following his criticism by a Select committee for business links to corrupt architect John Poulson.

Cordle had been elected at the October 1974 general election for the Conservative Party with a majority of 10,661 votes over the Liberal Party.

Results

Bournemouth East by-election, 1977

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	David Atkinson	15,235	62.14	+10.38
	Labour	Joseph Goodwin	3,684	15.02	−5.95
	Liberal	Donald Matthew	3,212	13.10	−12.12
	New Britain	John Pratt	1,127	4.60	New
	National Front	Kenneth McKilliam	725	2.96	+0.9
	International Marxist	Brian Heron	494	2.01	New
	Democratic Monarchist, Public Safety, White Resident	Bill Boaks	42	0.17	New
Majority			11,551	47.1	+20.6
Turnout			24,025	42.6	−27.9
	Conservative hold		Swing

General election October 1974: Bournemouth East

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Conservative	John Cordle	20,790	51.76	+1.56
	Liberal	G. K. Musgrave	10,129	25.22	−4.03
	Labour	D. E. Lock	8,422	20.97	+4.27
	National Front	M. Hayes	828	2.06	+0.09
Majority			10,661	26.54	+5.59
Turnout			40,149	70.46	−8.14
	Conservative hold		Swing	N/A

Outcome

David Atkinson served in the House of Commons until he stood down at the 2005 general election. He was succeeded by retired Army Major Tobias Ellwood, also from the Conservative Party.