The Barnsley East by-election was held on 12 December 1996, following the death of the Labour Party Member of Parliament Terry Patchett for Barnsley East, in South Yorkshire, England, on 11 October.

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1996 Barnsley East by-election

← 1992 12 December 1996 1997 →

First party Second party   Candidate Jeff Ennis David Willis Party Labour Liberal Democrats Popular vote 13,683 1,502 Percentage 76.4% 8.4% Swing 0.8pp 0.2pp   Third party Fourth party   Candidate Jane Ellison Ken Chapstick Party Conservative Socialist Labour Popular vote 1,299 949 Percentage 7.3% 5.3% Swing 6.9pp New

MP before election Terry Patchett Labour Elected MP Jeff Ennis Labour

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Barnsley council leader Jeff Ennis held the seat for Labour on an increased majority of 68% and more than three quarters of the votes, despite a low voter turnout. Despite a slight reduction in the vote for the Liberal Democrats, they overtook the Conservative Party for second place.

The Socialist Labour Party, on their leader Arthur Scargill's home territory, was able to save its deposit.

With the election of a new Labour MP, the Conservatives lost their Parliamentary majority.