overall swing of 5.2% was the largest since 1945, and gave the Conservatives a workable majority of 44 for the country's first female Prime Minister. The Conservative victory in 1979 also marked a change in government which would continue for 18 years, including the entire 1980s, until the Labour victory of 1997. It marked a period of political stability in the United Kingdom following four changes of government in the space of 15 years. Although the Conservatives would go on to win more seats under Thatcher in 1983 and 1987, and again under Boris Johnson in 2019, the Tories have never since matched the 43.9% of the popular vote they recorded in 1979. The SNP saw a massive collapse in support, losing 9 of its 11 MPs. The Liberal Party had a disappointing election; its scandal-hit former leader Jeremy Thorpe lost his seat in North Devon to the Conservatives. : |- |+ style="caption-side: bottom; font-weight:normal" |All parties shown. |} Votes summary Seats summary Incumbents defeated See also List of MPs elected in the 1979 United Kingdom general election 1979 United Kingdom local elections 1979 United Kingdom general election in England 1979 United Kingdom general election in Northern Ireland 1979 United Kingdom general election in Scotland Notes References Sources Further reading External links United Kingdom election results—summary results 1885–1979 Manifestos Conservative manifesto, 1979, 1979 Conservative Party manifesto The Labour Way is the Better Way, 1979 Labour Party manifesto The Real Fight is for Britain, 1979 Liberal Party manifesto 1979 United Kingdom general election general election United Kingdom general election Margaret Thatcher James Callaghan