1986 Ryedale by-election


The Ryedale by-election took place on 8 May 1986. The election was held on the same day as the 1986 local elections and the West Derbyshire by-election
It is the latest by-election to have just three candidates standing.
The seat was regained by the Conservatives the next year at the 1987 general election by John Greenway.

Background

In the spring of 1986 unemployment began rising at a greater rate than in previous years and the Conservative loss at Ryedale was a factor in "even committed supporters of the Government's economic strategy...insisting that reducing unemployment should now have priority".

Result