1986 South Antrim by-election

The 1986 South Antrim by-election was one of the fifteen 1986 Northern Ireland by-elections held on 23 January 1986, to fill vacancies in the Parliament of the United Kingdom caused by the resignation in December 1985 of all sitting Unionist Members of Parliament (MPs). The MPs, from the Ulster Unionist Party, Democratic Unionist Party and Ulster Popular Unionist Party, did this to highlight their opposition to the Anglo-Irish Agreement. Each of their parties agreed not to contest seats previously held by the others, and each outgoing MP stood for re-election.

1986 South Antrim by-election

23 Jan 1986
Constituency of South Antrim
Turnout	53.5% ( 12.0%)
First party Second party   FTAIA Candidate Clifford Forsythe "Peter Barry" Party UUP "For the Anglo-Irish Agreement" Popular vote 30,087 1,870 Percentage 94.1% 5.9% Swing 48.4% New
MP before election Clifford Forsythe UUP Subsequent MP Clifford Forsythe UUP

1986 South Antrim by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	UUP	Clifford Forsythe	30,087	94.1	+48.4
	"For the Anglo-Irish Agreement"	"Peter Barry" (Wesley Robert Williamson)	1,870	5.9	N/A
Majority			28,217	88.2	+70.8
Turnout			31,957	53.5	−12.0
Registered electors			60,780
	UUP hold		Swing

Other References

• British Parliamentary By Elections: Campaign literature from the by-elections
• CAIN: Westminster By-Elections (NI) - Thursday 23 January 1986
• Northern Ireland Elections: Westminster by-elections 1986