British By-Elections

A parliamentary by-election happens when a seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant between general elections, whether because the sitting MP dies, resigns, goes bankrupt, is convicted of a crime or is subject to a recall petition. By-elections can often appear to break the mould of British politics, signify the seemingly terminal decline of a particular political party or indicate the end of a premiership. Some take on iconic status or attract celebrity candidates and are remembered several