1949 Sowerby by-election

The 1949 by-election for the constituency of Sowerby in the United Kingdom House of Commons was held on 16 March 1949, caused by the resignation of the incumbent Labour MP John Belcher. The result was a hold for the Labour Party, with their candidate Douglas Houghton.

Result

Sowerby by-election 1949

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Douglas Houghton	18,606	53.0	+2.2
	Conservative	P Bryan	16,454	47.0	+16.1
Majority			2,152	6.0	−13.9
Turnout			35,060
	Labour hold		Swing

Previous election

General election 1945: Sowerby

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	John Belcher	17,710	50.8	+4.6
	Conservative	Malcolm McCorquodale	10,777	30.9	−23.0
	Liberal	D E Moore	6,373	18.3	New
Majority			6,933	19.9	N/A
Turnout			34,860	82.0	+6.1
	Labour gain from Conservative		Swing

References

• Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3rd edition ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs