Ian Swales, English accountant and politician

Ian Cameron Swales, born on 5 April 1953, is a notable British Liberal Democrat politician whose career is particularly distinguished by a significant electoral achievement in the Redcar constituency. His time as a Member of Parliament for Redcar, a key industrial town on the North East coast of England, marked a pivotal moment for his party and the political landscape.

A Breakthrough in Redcar: The 2010 General Election

For many years, the constituency of Redcar had been considered a staunch Labour stronghold, consistently returning Labour Members of Parliament. This historical context makes Ian Swales's triumph at the 2010 general election all the more remarkable. In what was widely regarded as a stunning upset, Swales successfully unseated the then-Labour incumbent, Vera Baird, capturing the Redcar seat for the Liberal Democrats.

This victory was not merely a change of party but represented an extraordinary shift in voter sentiment. Swales secured an astonishing 21.8% swing from Labour to the Liberal Democrats, a figure that vividly illustrates the depth of change in the constituency's political allegiance. Furthermore, he significantly expanded his personal mandate, adding over 10,000 votes to his total from the 2005 general election, underscoring a substantial and growing local support base.

An Electoral Feat of National Significance

The scale of Ian Swales's success in Redcar garnered national attention due to its unprecedented nature. Electoral analysis of the 2010 general election confirmed that his 21.8% swing against the Labour Party was the largest recorded against any Labour candidate across the entire United Kingdom during that election cycle. Moreover, his campaign successfully overturned the biggest majority of any Liberal Democrat candidate nationwide, demonstrating an exceptional ability to mobilise voters and resonate with the electorate in a historically opposing territory. These statistics highlight Swales's victory as not just a local win but a significant national political achievement for the Liberal Democrats, showcasing their potential to challenge long-established political boundaries.

Conclusion of Parliamentary Service

After serving a single term in the House of Commons, where he represented the interests of Redcar and contributed to national legislative processes, Ian Swales made the decision to step down. He did not seek re-election at the subsequent 2015 general election, thus concluding his parliamentary career. His departure marked the end of a notable, albeit brief, period during which the Liberal Democrats held the Redcar constituency following his historic electoral success.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ian Cameron Swales

Who is Ian Cameron Swales?
Ian Cameron Swales, born on 5 April 1953, is a British Liberal Democrat politician primarily known for his term as the Member of Parliament for the Redcar constituency.
Which constituency did Ian Swales represent?
He represented the constituency of Redcar, located in the North East of England, in the House of Commons from 2010 to 2015.
When was Ian Swales elected to Parliament?
Ian Swales was elected as the Member of Parliament for Redcar at the 2010 United Kingdom general election.
Who was the incumbent MP he defeated in Redcar?
He defeated the Labour incumbent, Vera Baird, who had previously held the Redcar seat.
What was particularly significant about his victory in 2010?
His victory was highly significant because it involved an exceptional 21.8% swing from Labour to the Liberal Democrats, it represented the largest swing against any Labour candidate nationwide in that election, and he overcame the biggest majority of any Liberal Democrat candidate, making it a major electoral upset in a historically Labour stronghold.
When did Ian Swales conclude his parliamentary career?
Ian Swales stood down and did not seek re-election at the 2015 general election, bringing his time as an MP to an end.