Lambeth Central was a parliamentary constituency in the London Borough of Lambeth, in South London. It returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the UK Parliament (using first-past-the-post voting).
The seat, centred on Clapham, was created for the February 1974 general election, and abolished for the 1983 general election, when most of its territory was transferred to the redrawn Vauxhall constituency.
History This short-lived seat is best known in the news media for the by-election of 1978. This was controversial because of a high-profile campaign by the National Front in one of the most racially diverse constituencies in the UK; the party fielded a candidate in the following general election also. On both occasions the candidates lost their deposits for want of votes.
The constituency shared boundaries with the Lambeth Central electoral division for election of councillors to the Greater London Council at elections in 1973, 1977 and 1981.
Boundaries
The London Borough of Lambeth wards of Angell, Clapham Town, Ferndale, Larkhall, and Town Hall.
Members of Parliament ElectionMemberPartyNotes Feb 1974 Marcus Lipton Labour Died February 1978 1978 by-election John Tilley Labour Contested Southwark and Bermondsey following redistribution 1983 constituency abolished: see Vauxhall, Streatham and Norwood
Elections 1970 notional result Party Vote % Labour 16,300 55.3 Conservative 13,200 44.7 Turnout29,50056.7Electorate52,022
References