1979 United Kingdom general election — election for members of the British House of Commons
The 1979 UK general election brought Margaret Thatcher to power, ending 5 years of Labour government and beginning 18 consecutive years of Conservative rule.
Key Facts
- Seats contested
- 635
- Conservative majority
- 43 seats
- Swing to Conservatives
- 5.2%
- No-confidence vote margin
- 311 to 310 (1 vote)
- Unemployment at campaign time
- 1.5 million (40-year high)
- Election date
- 3 May 1979
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Labour government of James Callaghan lost a vote of no confidence on 28 March 1979 by a single vote (311–310), triggered by the failure of Scottish devolution and compounded by widespread industrial unrest during the Winter of Discontent in 1978–79, forcing an election six months early.
On 3 May 1979, voters across the United Kingdom elected 635 members to the House of Commons. The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher, defeated the incumbent Labour government with a 5.2% swing — the largest since 1945 — securing a parliamentary majority of 43 seats.
Thatcher became the UK's and Europe's first elected female head of government, launching 18 years of Conservative rule and 18 years of Labour opposition. Callaghan was later replaced as Labour leader by Michael Foot in 1980, and the election marked the first of four consecutive Conservative general election victories.
Political Outcome
Conservative victory; Margaret Thatcher became Prime Minister with a majority of 43 seats, ending Labour government.
Labour government led by Prime Minister James Callaghan
Conservative government led by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher