The by-election took place due to the resignation of Ian Gibson after being banned from standing as a Labour candidate for the next general election.

The writ of election was moved on 30 June 2009 and the by-election took place on 23 July 2009, two days after the start of the summer recess.

Unusually for a UK by-election, the counting process was not started until the following day, for a variety of reasons including the high number of postal votes.

The Liberal Democrats selected April Pond, a local businesswoman and former Norwich City Councillor, who was a candidate for South West Norfolk in 2005.

[14] Former ambassador Craig Murray stood as an anti-sleaze candidate for the Put an Honest Man into Parliament party, which was registered with the Electoral Commission on 3 July 2009.