A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Falkirk West was held on 21 December 2000, caused by the resignation of incumbent Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) Dennis Canavan. It was won by Eric Joyce who held the seat for Labour, narrowly holding off a strong challenge from the Scottish National Party (SNP).

It was the last of seventeen by-elections held in the 1997–2001 parliament.

Background

The vacancy was caused by the resignation from the UK House of Commons of Dennis Canavan, the MP for Falkirk West. Canavan had first been elected for West Stirlingshire in the October 1974 election as a Labour Party candidate, and had held that seat until its abolition in 1983. He had then won the new Falkirk West seat, and held that seat as a Labour MP until he was expelled from Labour in 1999. He then sat as an Independent until he resigned on 21 November 2000 by accepting the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.

Result

General Election result, 1997

See also

  • Elections in Scotland

References

  • Scottish Election Results 1997–present