1978 Ilford North by-election
# 1978 Ilford North by-election

The Ilford North by-election of 2 March 1978 was held after the death of Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Millie Miller on 29 October 1977. The seat was gained by the Conservatives in a defeat for James Callaghan's government.

## Results

1978 Ilford North by-election :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Conservative | Vivian Bendall | 22,548 | 50.31 | +9.43 |
| | Labour | Tessa Jowell | 17,051 | 38.04 | –4.44 |
| | Liberal | John Freeman | 2,248 | 5.02 | –11.62 |
| | National Front | John Hughes | 2,126 | 4.74 | New |
| | Conservative Independent Democrat | Thomas Iremonger | 671 | 1.50 | New |
| | East London People's Front | Carole Rowe | 89 | 0.20 | New |
| | New Britain | Alfred Burr | 48 | 0.11 | New |
| | Democratic Monarchist, Public Safety, White Resident | Bill Boaks | 38 | 0.08 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,497 | 12.27 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,819 | 69.10 | -5.36 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | | | |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | | |

* Alfred Burr was exposed as a convicted child abuser after nominations closed, resulting in the withdrawal of his endorsement by the New Britain Party and his withdrawal from election six days before the date of the by-election.

General election October 1974: Ilford North :

| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| | Labour | Millie Miller | 20,621 | 42.48 | +4.48 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Iremonger | 19,843 | 40.88 | +2.32 |
| | Liberal | Gareth Wilson | 8,080 | 16.64 | -6.80 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 778 | 1.60 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,544 | 74.46 | -5.15 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 65,195 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
