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Post by Davıd Boothroyd on Jan 5, 2017 23:42:08 GMT
The Revd Roger Roberts stood many times for the Liberals in Conway/Conwy IIRC as did Alan Butt Philip in Wells (five each). Confusingly, the latter also appears to have been top of the Lib Dem list for Wales at the 2009 Euro elections. The following year a Theo Butt Philip was the LD candidate in Bridgwater at the general election. Who is this mysterious Theo Butt Philip? Perhaps I'll ask my work colleague Theo Butt Philip tomorrow morning if he knows. |
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ricmk
Lib Dem
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Post by ricmk on Jan 6, 2017 13:28:30 GMT
It fascinates me how many times someone can get selected by a major UK party and never actually become an MP (and in some cases have no real prospect of becoming one).
There used to be a website called ElectionWeb which used to have this data, but it has gone offline with no sign of returning.
For the purposes of this leaderboard, major British parties include: Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, SNP, and Plaid Cymru (since they all have at least one MP and one MEP apiece and each has a good chance of increasing their current parliamentary representation in the near future somewhere; they also all have local support bases in at least several areas of the country). Runs for Liberal/SDP are counted as LD, runs for AFL are counted as UKIP, and runs for PEOPLE/Ecology are counted as Green. People who have been successfully elected as an MP, even once, are not eligible for inclusion on this leaderboard.
The current frequent parliamentary candidates leaderboard for major parties looks like this (NB: only contests since 1950 are counted):
| Party | Name of candidate | Number of unsuccessful parliamentary attempts | Years in which attempts were carried out | | Conservative | Brian Keefe | 7 | 1964, 1964 (by), 1966, 1970, 1974 (Oct), 1979, 1983 | | Labour | Nigel Knowles | 9 | 1979,1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010,2015 | | Lib Dem | Simon Knott | 9* | 1959,1964,1966,1970,1974(both),1979,1983,1987 | | UKIP | Nigel Farage | 7 | 1994(by),1997,2001,2005,2006(by),2010,2015 | | Green | Alan Francis | 8 | 1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010,2015 | | SNP | William Wolfe | 8 | 1962(by),1964,1966,1970,1973(by),1974(both),1979 | | Plaid Cymru | Lindsay Whittle | 7** | 1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010 |
*Simon Knott's run as an Independent Liberal in Barons Court in 1959, and as a local Liberal in 1983 in Hammersmith (Hammersmith Liberal Association backed him, but the national parties of both the SDP and Liberal Parties at the time backed Michael Starks instead) are counted here. **All in the same constituency-Caerphilly.
Good to see Alan Francis making the list - I think he holds the same record in Milton Keynes council elections for most candidatures without being elected. He's still very active in Milton Keynes politics, I think he chairs New Bradwell parish council and attends most full council meetings to ask good questions - no questioning his commitment and public service. I've always found him engaging and sincere. Green politics haven't had much success in Milton Keynes; both due to an effective Lib Dem party, and their anti-car approach not being well suited to the new city. I believe that he was usurped by some new blood to be the parliamentary candidate in Milton Keynes North in 2015, but stood against John Bercow in Buckingham instead. So both Nigel Farage and Alan Francis on your list have come third in Buckingham against John Bercow. About as little success however! |
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Post by froome on Jan 6, 2017 15:12:36 GMT
It fascinates me how many times someone can get selected by a major UK party and never actually become an MP (and in some cases have no real prospect of becoming one).
There used to be a website called ElectionWeb which used to have this data, but it has gone offline with no sign of returning.
For the purposes of this leaderboard, major British parties include: Conservative, Green, Labour, Liberal Democrats, UKIP, SNP, and Plaid Cymru (since they all have at least one MP and one MEP apiece and each has a good chance of increasing their current parliamentary representation in the near future somewhere; they also all have local support bases in at least several areas of the country). Runs for Liberal/SDP are counted as LD, runs for AFL are counted as UKIP, and runs for PEOPLE/Ecology are counted as Green. People who have been successfully elected as an MP, even once, are not eligible for inclusion on this leaderboard.
The current frequent parliamentary candidates leaderboard for major parties looks like this (NB: only contests since 1950 are counted):
| Party | Name of candidate | Number of unsuccessful parliamentary attempts | Years in which attempts were carried out | | Conservative | Brian Keefe | 7 | 1964, 1964 (by), 1966, 1970, 1974 (Oct), 1979, 1983 | | Labour | Nigel Knowles | 9 | 1979,1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010,2015 | | Lib Dem | Simon Knott | 9* | 1959,1964,1966,1970,1974(both),1979,1983,1987 | | UKIP | Nigel Farage | 7 | 1994(by),1997,2001,2005,2006(by),2010,2015 | | Green | Alan Francis | 8 | 1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010,2015 | | SNP | William Wolfe | 8 | 1962(by),1964,1966,1970,1973(by),1974(both),1979 | | Plaid Cymru | Lindsay Whittle | 7** | 1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010 |
*Simon Knott's run as an Independent Liberal in Barons Court in 1959, and as a local Liberal in 1983 in Hammersmith (Hammersmith Liberal Association backed him, but the national parties of both the SDP and Liberal Parties at the time backed Michael Starks instead) are counted here. **All in the same constituency-Caerphilly.
Good to see Alan Francis making the list - I think he holds the same record in Milton Keynes council elections for most candidatures without being elected. He's still very active in Milton Keynes politics, I think he chairs New Bradwell parish council and attends most full council meetings to ask good questions - no questioning his commitment and public service. I've always found him engaging and sincere. Green politics haven't had much success in Milton Keynes; both due to an effective Lib Dem party, and their anti-car approach not being well suited to the new city. I believe that he was usurped by some new blood to be the parliamentary candidate in Milton Keynes North in 2015, but stood against John Bercow in Buckingham instead. So both Nigel Farage and Alan Francis on your list have come third in Buckingham against John Bercow. About as little success however! I know Alan and am sure he would welcome your appreciative comments. He certainly enjoyed the opportunity of standing against Bercow. While we are all getting older,I suspect he could easily run up another 8 parliamentary attempts if needed.  |
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Post by LDCaerdydd on Apr 23, 2018 13:57:41 GMT
Whilst reading Wikipedia I've just come across Richard Fairbairn who contested Worcester eight times (Dec 1910, 1918, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1929, 1931 and 1935) and was only successfully elected once (1923).
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Post by Devil Wincarnate on Apr 23, 2018 15:26:07 GMT
Colin Bex of the Wessex Regionalists has contested seven general elections and one by-election, the last time being in 2015.
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Post by uhurasmazda on Apr 24, 2018 1:17:55 GMT
In terms of minor parties, there was of course Screaming Lord Sutch, who stood 41 times (all but four for the Official Monster Raving Loony Party), followed by Howling Laud Hope who has stood 18 times.
Steve Radford has stood for Parliament seven times for the Liberal Party, followed by Johns Hein and Clarke on 5 equal.
And Nick Griffin is on 6, which is the best I can find for the BNP.
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Post by johnhemming on Apr 24, 2018 6:34:25 GMT
I stood in 1983, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2001, 2015 and 2017 unsuccessfully. I think that counts for the leaderboard.
I won in 2005 and 2010.
83 was Birmingham, Hall Green and 87 was Birmingham, Small Heath the rest was Yardley.
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iain
Lib Dem
Posts: 11,435
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Post by iain on Apr 24, 2018 9:46:47 GMT
Alasdair McDonnell stood for the SDLP in South Belfast at every general election from 1979, plus the 1992 by-election, meaning he has stood 11 times, 8 of these unsuccessful.
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The Bishop
Labour
Down With Factionalism!
Posts: 38,916
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Post by The Bishop on Apr 24, 2018 10:15:53 GMT
What about the "regulars" I recall from Westminster byelections in my youth, including Bill Boaks and Helen Anscomb?
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Post by greenhert on Apr 24, 2018 20:59:57 GMT
I would rather cover that in a separate thread. This leaderboard is mainly for candidates of significant political parties, not perennial independents.
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Post by warofdreams on Apr 24, 2018 21:13:52 GMT
| Party | Name of candidate | Number of unsuccessful parliamentary attempts | Years in which attempts were carried out | | Conservative | Brian Keefe | 7 | 1964, 1964 (by), 1966, 1970, 1974 (Oct), 1979, 1983 | | Labour | Nigel Knowles | 9 | 1979,1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010,2015 | | Lib Dem | Simon Knott | 9* | 1959,1964,1966,1970,1974(both),1979,1983,1987 | | UKIP | Nigel Farage | 7 | 1994(by),1997,2001,2005,2006(by),2010,2015 | | Green | Alan Francis | 8 | 1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010,2015 | | SNP | William Wolfe | 8 | 1962(by),1964,1966,1970,1973(by),1974(both),1979 | | Plaid Cymru | Lindsay Whittle | 7** | 1983,1987,1992,1997,2001,2005,2010 |
Some updates from the general election: I see Alan Francis returned to stand in Milton Keynes North again, while Nigel Knowles stood again in Solihull, and Lindsay Whittle had another shot at Caerphilly. |
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Post by warofdreams on Apr 24, 2018 21:44:40 GMT
Meanwhile, for Northern Ireland, I believe the records are:
APNI: Seamus Close - 8 (1981, FST; 1983-2005, Lagan Valley)
DUP: Jim Wells - 5 (1983 Upper Bann; 2001-2015, South Down)
SDLP: Alban Maginness - 8 (1983-2015, Belfast North)
SF: Gerry Kelly - 5 (1997-2015, Belfast North)
UUP: Various - 3
Maginess and Kelly fought each other five times in Belfast North, Nigel Dodds of the DUP winning four contests, and the hapless Cecil Walker of the UUP the other.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2018 22:49:54 GMT
I'd be surprised if Nigel Knowles doesn't have another go next time, he's still very active in the party & seemingly energetic. Presumably he doesn’t want to win? |
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Post by hullenedge on Apr 25, 2018 18:13:25 GMT
Bit of a cheat but Tom Keen and Harold Smith contested umpteen (29?) constituencies in Oct '74 for 'Campaign for More Prosperous Britain'.
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Post by Devil Wincarnate on Apr 25, 2018 18:31:16 GMT
What about the "regulars" I recall from Westminster byelections in my youth, including Bill Boaks and Helen Anscomb? Just looked her up but can't find which seats she stood for, do you have more info? I note her mother fought the expansion of Basingstoke! |
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Post by Devil Wincarnate on Apr 25, 2018 18:35:30 GMT
I would rather cover that in a separate thread. This leaderboard is mainly for candidates of significant political parties, not perennial independents. As a moderator's notice, I think it is acceptable for perennial independents to be discussed. Especially as several have also represented major parties. Plus, I'm sure as a Green you wouldn't want to ignore Green candidates who stood for minor groups like PEOPLE. |
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Post by warofdreams on Apr 25, 2018 18:52:41 GMT
What about the "regulars" I recall from Westminster byelections in my youth, including Bill Boaks and Helen Anscomb? Just looked her up but can't find which seats she stood for, do you have more info? I note her mother fought the expansion of Basingstoke! for her by-election candidacies |
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Post by Ron Swanson on Apr 25, 2018 18:58:45 GMT
Didn’t Sutch stand against Major, Kinnock and Ashdown at the 1992 election?
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Post by greenchristian on Apr 25, 2018 19:23:04 GMT
Didn’t Sutch stand against Major, Kinnock and Ashdown at the 1992 election? Yes he did. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2018 21:05:03 GMT
Didn’t Sutch stand against Major, Kinnock and Ashdown at the 1992 election? Yes he did. Something no longer lawfully permitted. |
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