UKPOL key information
Latest UK Parliamentary By-Elections
Forthcoming contests and recent results for elections to the House of Commons.
Last updated 19 September 2026
A parliamentary by-election is held when a seat in the House of Commons becomes vacant between general elections. This page lists the next confirmed contest and the most recent results.
Next parliamentary by-election
The next confirmed polling day for a vacant House of Commons seat.
8
2026
Holborn and St Pancras
Voters in the central London constituency will elect a new Member of Parliament following the departure from the Commons of former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
England
Labour
7am to 10pm
Recent results
The latest completed Westminster parliamentary by-elections, shown with the declared result.
Clacton
- Elected
- Nigel Farage
- Majority
- 12,784
- Turnout
- 44.4%
Makerfield
Gorton and Denton
- Elected
- Hannah Spencer
- Majority
- 4,402
- Turnout
- 47.5%
How a by-election works
The process used to fill a vacant seat in the House of Commons.
A seat becomes vacant
This may follow an MP’s resignation, death, disqualification or removal after a successful recall petition.
The writ is moved
A motion in the Commons begins the formal process for electing a replacement Member of Parliament.
Candidates are nominated
The returning officer publishes the timetable and confirms the candidates after nominations close.
Voters choose a new MP
The candidate receiving the most votes is elected, regardless of whether they secure more than half of all votes cast.
Official election information
Election arrangements are managed locally by the relevant returning officer. UK Parliament records Members, constituencies and declared Westminster results, while the Electoral Commission provides information for voters.
Dates and arrangements can change. The notice published by the relevant returning officer is the definitive source for each contest.
