Chesterfield 1984 Parliamentary by election result.

Coverage of Tony Benn being declared the new MP for the Chesterfield constituancy above a remarkable sixteen other candidates.
The 1984 Chesterfield by-election was held on 1 March 1984 for a seat in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom to represent Chesterfield in Derbyshire. This followed the resignation of the sitting Labour Member of Parliament Eric Varley.
The eventual winner, former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn (who had been ousted from parliament at the general election nine months earlier) defeated sixteen other candidates, at the time the largest fielded in a British by-election - surpassing the previous high of twelve, at the 1981 Croydon North West by-election. This record would remain unbroken until the 1993 Newbury by-election.
At the time, there was no requirement for political parties fielding candidates to be registered, resulting in some fringe candidates using slogans or frivolous titles as their party name. Actor Bill Maynard finished in fourth place, standing as an "independent Labour" supporter who opposed Benn's candidacy. Other candidates included: John Davey, who ran in opposition to increases in the charges for NHS dentistry, Helen Anscomb, a by-election veteran who called for freight to be transported by rail to improve road safety, Donald Butler, a furniture shop owner who adopted the slogan "a Chesterfield for Chesterfield", Giancarlo Piccaro stood for the 'Official Acne Party', pretending to be dedicated to the eradication of zits worldwide, T. A. Layton stood in the name of the "Spare the Earth Ecology Party", which he had founded, and David Cahill campaigned for The Sun to be treated as a comic.

[@ange9663]

Great Tony Benn i was lucky enough to see him at one of his Audience with discussions he was superb of course, my forever favourite politcian. Thank you x

[@daysineuropa27]

Met Tony Benn a few times really liked him the sun ect pulled him down cos he talked sense to the working people

[@Flubbydubbydoodoo]

His mistake was he thought “working people” wanted to remain as “working people”. He underestimated the human nature that people have of wanting to improve on their lives and their status.

[@daysineuropa27]

@Flubbydubbydoodoo who is not working class now most people are

[@giancarlopiccaro-iw4ll]

I was on that stage that night, and the atmosphere was electric. It was all great fun - from the raucous crowd, the frantic press melee, to Benn's look of distain when I force him to shake my hand at the end!

[@thejfoshow1320]

Your the guy with the glasses and moustache?

[@giancarlopiccaro-iw4ll]

Yep, that was me. Official Acne Party candidate!