The Walthamstow East by-election of 27 March 1969 was held following the death of Labour Member of Parliament (MP) William Robinson.
[2][3] This defeat marked the twelfth time that Labour had failed to successfully defend a seat it held at a by-election since the last general election.
[5] The gain at Walthamstow was one of three Conservative wins in by-elections held that day, with the Party also retaining Brighton Pavilion and holding Weston-super-Mare from Labour.
"[6] The next day's Glasgow Herald reported that the "dispiriting performance" by Labour in the three by-elections, the first contests of 1969, raised questions as to when the tide would turn for the party and noted that "some Labour MPS feel in their bones" that the party could not recover to win the general election which would come within the next two years.
However the same article noted that the much reduced turnout in Walthamstow East (and in the Brighton contest) had distorted the results and could be argued by Labour as evidence that its supporters had stayed at home and were reserving their judgement on the Government.