Alfred Broughton
 Alfred Broughton    (doctor, politician) | |
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| Born | 18 October 1902 |
| Died | 2 April 1979 (Age 76) |
| Nationality | UK |
| Alma mater | Rossall School, Downing College (Cambridge), London Hospital |
| Party | Labour Party (UK) |
The one missing MP vote that brought down the James Callaghan government in 1979, and led to Margaret Thatcher becoming Prime Minister
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Sir Alfred Davies Devonsher Broughton was a British Labour Party politician.
The missing vote
A vote of no confidence in the British Labour government of James Callaghan occurred on 28 March 1979. The vote was brought by opposition leader Margaret Thatcher and was lost by the Labour government by one vote (311 votes to 310).
One crucial vote was lost by Labour backbencher Alfred Broughton who was unable to attend the vote due to ill health. Broughton (professionally a doctor) was mortally ill and died a few days after the vote but was determined to come to Westminster if it meant saving the government, although his own doctor was strongly opposed. Parliamentary procedure would have allowed his vote to be counted even if he remained within an ambulance at Speaker's Court. However, after a debate over what would happen if Broughton died en route', Callaghan finally decided that he would not risk Broughton's health by asking him to travel, a decision which was to bring down the government.[1][2]
Broughton died on 2 April 1979.
