1979 United Kingdom general election facts for kids
On 3 May 1979, an important election took place in the United Kingdom. People voted to choose all 635 members of the House of Commons. The Conservative Party won this election, and their leader, Margaret Thatcher, became the new Prime Minister. She made history as the first woman to hold this powerful position in the UK.
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All 635 seats in the House of Commons 318 seats needed for a majority |
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| Turnout | 76.0%,  3.2% |
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Colours show the winning party—as shown in 1979 United Kingdom general election § Notes
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Composition of the House of Commons after the election
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Contents
The 1979 UK General Election
This election was a big moment in British history. It decided who would lead the country for the next few years. People across the UK voted for their local Member of Parliament (MP). These MPs then form the House of Commons, which is a key part of the UK's government.
Why the Election Happened
This election happened because of a special vote called a 'vote of no confidence'. On 28 March 1979, Margaret Thatcher and her Conservative Party asked for this vote. It meant that the Members of Parliament had to decide if they still trusted the government led by James Callaghan of the Labour Party.
The Vote of No Confidence
The vote was very close. The government lost by just one vote in the House of Commons. When a government loses a vote of no confidence, it usually means they must call a new general election. This is why the election was held on 3 May 1979.
Who Was Running?
The three main political parties and their leaders in this election were:
- The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher.
- The Labour Party, led by James Callaghan.
- The Liberal Party, led by David Steel.
The Leaders and Their Parties
Each leader wanted their party to win the most seats in the House of Commons. The party with the most seats usually forms the government. The leader of that party becomes the Prime Minister.
Election Results and What Happened Next
The Conservative Party won the election with 339 seats. This was 62 more seats than they had before. The Labour Party won 269 seats, which was 50 fewer than they had. The Liberal Party won 11 seats.
Margaret Thatcher Becomes Prime Minister
Because the Conservative Party won the most seats, Margaret Thatcher became the new Prime Minister. She was the first woman ever to hold this important job in the United Kingdom. Her victory marked a big change in British politics.
See also
In Spanish: Elecciones generales del Reino Unido de 1979 para niños
