Boyce had won the seat only at the 1992 general election, but it had been continuously held by Labour since 1933, usually with a large majority.

A former journalist and trade union employee, he had unsuccessfully contested Solihull at the October 1974 general election.

The Conservative Party had taken a distant second place in 1992, and having lost the previous two by-elections of the term to the Liberal Democrats, they were not hopeful of gaining ground.

As expected, MacShane easily won the seat, although, disappointingly for the main opposition party, his vote was more than eight percent down on Boyce's.

Sutch was able to record his best ever result, taking 1,114 votes and a 4.2% share - within a percentage point of the Loonies retaining a deposit for the first time.