A by-election for the seat of Ascot in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia was held on 13 November 1971.
It was triggered by the death of Merv Toms, the serving Labor member and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, on 8 October 1971.
Toms' death reduced Labor to a minority government, and David Brand, the opposition leader, threatened to bring on a motion of no confidence.
Because of this, the premier, John Tonkin, controversially advised the governor, Sir Douglas Kendrew, to prorogue parliament until the by-election was held.
He became deputy premier under Brian Burke when Labor returned to power in 1983, serving until his retirement in 1988.