Labour Party leadership election, 1976
25 March – 5 April 1976 (1976-03-25 – 1976-04-05) |
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The 1976 Labour Party leadership election occurred when Harold Wilson resigned as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister. It is the only occasion the Labour Party has had a leadership election with more than one candidate whilst in government.
Candidates
In the first ballot, held on 25 March, six candidates vied for the leadership:
- Tony Benn, Secretary of State for Energy, Member of Parliament for Bristol South East
- James Callaghan, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Member of Parliament for Cardiff South East
- Anthony Crosland, Secretary of State for the Environment, Member of Parliament for Great Grimsby
- Michael Foot, Secretary of State for Employment, Member of Parliament for Ebbw Vale
- Denis Healey, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Member of Parliament for Leeds East
- Roy Jenkins, Home Secretary, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Stechford
Result
As a result of the first ballot, Crosland was eliminated, while Jenkins and Benn withdrew from the contest. The remaining three candidates would face each other in a second ballot, five days later.
Because no candidate achieved an absolute majority, the candidate with the lowest number of votes was eliminated (in this case Healey). A final run-off ballot was held six days later.
Third ballot: 5 April 1976 |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
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James Callaghan |
176 |
56.2 |
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Michael Foot |
137 |
43.8 |
Majority |
39 |
12.4 |
Turnout |
313 |
99.7 |
James Callaghan elected |
Immediately upon his election as Labour leader, Callaghan succeeded Wilson as Prime Minister.
References
- Benn, Tony (1995), The Benn Diaries, Arrow
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