Labour Party (UK) deputy leadership election, 1976

Labour Party (UK) deputy leadership election

21 October 1976

Candidate Michael Foot Shirley Williams Votes 166 128 Percentage 56.5% 43.5%

Deputy Leader before election Edward Short Elected Deputy Leader Michael Foot

The Labour Party deputy leadership election of 1976 occurred when Edward Short stood down from the deputy leadership of the Labour Party. It was won by Michael Foot who had stood unsuccessfully for the position three times before, and had come second to James Callaghan in the leadership election the previous April.

Candidates

• Michael Foot, Leader of the House of Commons, Member of Parliament for Ebbw Vale
• Shirley Williams, Secretary of State for Education and Science, Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stevenage

Results

Ballot: 21 October 1976
Candidate		Votes	%
	Michael Foot	166	56.5%
	Shirley Williams	128	43.5%
Majority		38	13%
Turnout		294
	Foot elected deputy leader

References