2013 South Shields by-election

A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of South Shields was held on 2 May 2013, triggered by the resignation of incumbent Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) and former Foreign Secretary David Miliband in order to take up a position as head of the International Rescue Committee in New York City. It was won by Labour candidate Emma Lewell-Buck who held the seat with 50.4% of the vote. The UK Independence Party (UKIP) came second with 24.2%, with the Conservatives dropping to third with 11.5%. The Liberal Democrats' candidate came seventh with just 1.4%, the Liberals' or Liberal Democrats' lowest share of the vote at a by-election since 1948. The by-election coincided with local elections across England.