The constituency, held continuously by Labour since 1935, was retained in this by-election.

The election campaign was noted for the refusal of Enoch Powell, MP for neighbouring Wolverhampton South West, to endorse Conservative candidate David Bell; he felt that Bell was too far removed from his own policies on immigration and United Kingdom membership of the European Communities.

[1] Although Powell did not endorse any candidate, the National Front (NF) claimed that Powell's refusal to support Bell represented tacit endorsement of itself.

On polling day Martin Webster captured 16% of the vote, an all-time high for the NF, which thereby saved its deposit.

In common with a number of by-elections at the time, the Liberal Party did not compete for this seat.