1958 Wigan by-election

The 1958 Wigan by-election of 12 June 1958 was held after the death of the incumbent Labour Member of Parliament (MP) Ronald Williams.

The by-election was contested by three candidates: Alan Fitch (Labour), John Hodgson (Conservative), and Michael Weaver (Communist).

The result was a hold for the Labour Party, with Fitch gaining 71% of the vote on a 6.2% swing from the Conservative Party.

Result of the by-election

Wigan by-election, 1958^[1]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Alan Fitch	27,415	71.0	6.6
	Conservative	John Hodgson	10,248	26.5	5.7
	Communist	Michael Weaver	972	2.5	0.9
Majority			17,167	44.4	12.2
Turnout			38,635
	Labour hold		Swing	6.2

Result of the previous General Election

General election 1955: Wigan

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Labour	Ronald Williams	29,755	64.4	2.5
	Conservative	Harold D Lowe	14,883	32.2	0.9
	Communist	Thomas Rowlandson	1,567	3.4	New
Majority			14,872	32.2	1.6
Turnout			46,205	80.3	6.7
	Labour hold		Swing	0.8