The 1951 United Kingdom general election was held soon after the 1950 general election, which the Labour Party won, but with a very slim majority. Labour called the election on 25 October 1951 hoping to increase their majority.

In the event, despite Labour polling over a million votes more than the Conservative Party - and more votes than in the 1950 election - it was the Conservatives who went on to form the next government. This was because under the first past the post electoral sysytem, the Labour votes translated into increased majorities for MPs in already safe seats, rather than into gaining new seats.

This was one of only three elections where this happened. (See also 1929 and 1974). It was also the last election in which some candidates were elected unopposed: in this case four Conservatives.http://www.election.demon.co.uk/geresults.html

Results

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Total votes cast: 28,596,594. All parties shown. Conservative result includes the Ulster Unionists.

Summary of GB vote (excluding Northern Ireland)

Headline Swing: 1.13% to Conservative

Seats Changing Hands

From Conservative to Liberal (0 seats):
From Labour to Conservative (23 seats): Barry, Battersea South, Bedfordshire South, Berwick and East Lothian, Bolton East, Buckingham, Conway, Darlington, Doncaster, Dulwich, King's Lynn, Manchester Blackley, Middlesbrough West, Norfolk South West, Nottingham North West, Oldham East, Plymouth Sutton, Reading North, Rochdale, Rutherglen, Workington, Wycombe and Yarmouth
From Labour to Liberal (1 seat): Bolton West
From Liberal to Conservative (2 seats): Eye and Roxburgh
From Liberal to Labour (2 seats): Anglesey and Meirioneth

References

• F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987
• United Kingdom election results - summary results 1885-1979

See also

• MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1951
• 1951 Prime Minister's Resignation Honours

Manifestos

• CONSERVATIVE PARTY: 1951- 1951 Conservative manifesto.
• Labour Party Election Manifesto - 1951 Labour Party manifesto.
• The Nation's Task - 1951 Liberal Party manifesto.

de:Britische Unterhauswahlen 1951