Falkirk West by-election, 2000
The Member of Parliament for Falkirk, West, Dennis Canavan, (elected as Labour but sitting as an Independent) accepted the office of Crown Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead on November 21, 2000.
A by-election to fill the seat was held on December 21. The Scottish National Party mounted a strong challenge, but fell 1,200 votes short of a memorable victory.
Results
The turnout was 36.1%.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Change |
| Eric Joyce | Labour | 8,942 | 43.5% | -15.9% |
| David Kerr | Scottish National Party | 7,787 | 39.9% | +16.5% |
| Craig Stevenson | Conservative | 1,621 | 8.3% | -3.8% |
| Iain Hunter | Scottish Socialist Party | 989 | 5.1% | |
| Hugh O'Donnell | Liberal Democrat | 615 | 3.2% | -1.9% |
General Election result, 1997
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
| Dennis Canavan | (Lab) | 22,772 | 59.4% |
| David Alexander | (SNP) | 8,989 | 23.4% |
| Carol Buchanan | (C) | 4,639 | 12.1% |
| Derek Houston | (L Dem) | 1,970 | 5.1% |