The electoral system was First past the post in England, Scotland and Wales (electing 78 MEPs in total) and Single Transferable Vote in Northern Ireland (electing 3 MEPs).

The result was a landslide victory for the Conservative Party, which won 60 of the 78 seats available in England, Wales and Scotland.

There was a very low turnout in the election compared with other states, the lowest in Europe.

Voter apathy was an explanation, but it is likely the large number of elections in 1979 had a significant negative effect on turnout.

Source Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive Total votes cast – 572,239.