By-elections to the European Parliament in the United Kingdom were held during the period when the United Kingdom used single-member, first-past-the-post constituencies to elect Members of the European Parliament from 1979 to 1999: they were required when a member resigned, died or was disqualified. Six by-elections were held in this period, all retained by the holding party.

The European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999 established a new system of multi-member constituencies elected by a closed party list system based on the regions of England, plus Scotland and Wales. The single transferable vote system was retained in Northern Ireland. Because of the new system, retiring MEPs would be replaced by a different person from the list, so no further by-elections were held.

Summary By-election Date Incumbent Party Winner Party Cause Retained at next electionLondon South West20 September 1979Shelagh Roberts Shelagh Roberts DisqualificationYesMidlands WestUnited Kingdom Parliamentary Election results 1979-1999: England: Part 25 March 1987Terry Pitt John Bird DeathYesHampshire CentralUnited Kingdom Parliamentary Election results 1979-1999: England: Part 115 December 1988Basil de Ferranti Edward Kellett-Bowman DeathYesMerseyside West12 December 1996Kenneth Stewart Richard Corbett DeathN/A (MEP re-elected at next election under a party-list system)Yorkshire South7 May 1998Norman West Linda McAvan ResignationN/A (MEP re-elected at next election under a party-list system)North East ScotlandUnited Kingdom Parliamentary Election results 1979-1999: Scotland26 November 1998Allan Macartney Ian Hudghton DeathN/A (MEP re-elected at next election under a party-list system)

By-elections London South West The London South West by-election took place on 20 September 1979, a few months after the 1979 election. The elected MEP, Shelagh Roberts, was disqualified for holding an office of profit under the Crown."Dame Sheiagh Roberts." Times [London, England] 20 Jan. 1992: 14. The Times Digital Archive. Web. 31 May 2014. Roberts ran again and won, but with a significant swing against her.

Midlands West The Midlands West by-election took place on 5 March 1987. It was caused by the death of Terry Pitt, the sitting MEP. The seat was retained by Labour, with a much reduced majority.

Hampshire Central The Hampshire Central by-election took place on 15 December 1988. It was caused by the death of Basil de Ferranti, the sitting MEP. The seat was held by the Conservatives with a large majority.

Merseyside West The Merseyside West by-election took place on 12 December 1996. It was caused by the death of Kenneth Stewart, the sitting MEP. The seat was held by Labour with a reduced large majority.

Yorkshire South The Yorkshire South by-election took place on 7 May 1998. It was caused by the retirement of Norman West, the incumbent MEP for 14 years. The seat was held by Labour, but saw a large reduction in the majority.

North East Scotland The North East Scotland by-election took place on 26 November 1998. It was caused by the death of Allan Macartney, the sitting MEP. The seat was held by the SNP, with an increased majority.

References