1970 United Kingdom general election facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
1970 United Kingdom general election

18 June 1970
All 630 seats in the House of Commons 316 seats needed for a majority
Turnout	72.0%, 3.8%
First party Second party Third party   Leader Edward Heath Harold Wilson Jeremy Thorpe Party Conservative Labour Liberal Leader since 28 July 1965 14 February 1963 18 January 1967 Leader's seat Bexley Huyton North Devon Last election 253 seats, 41.9% 364 seats, 48% 12 seats, 8.5% Seats won 330 288 6 Seat change 77 75 6 Popular vote 13,145,123 12,208,758 2,117,035 Percentage 46.4% 43.1% 7.5% Swing 4.5% 4.9% 1.0%
Colours show the winning party—as shown in 1970 United Kingdom general election § Notes
Composition of the House of Commons after the election
Prime Minister before election Harold Wilson Labour Prime Minister after election Edward Heath Conservative

A general election was held on 18 June 1970 to elect all 630 members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. The Conservative Party won the election and Edward Heath became Prime Minister.

Most people thought that the Labour Party would win the election and it was a surprise that the Conservatives won. Opinion polls had showed Labour ahead, but were wrong. This was the first election where people aged over 18 could vote, instead of 21.

Images for kids

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  Shadow Chancellor Iain Macleod campaigning in York.