A by-election for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of Barnsley East was held on 12 December 1996 following the death of the incumbent Labour Party Member of Parliament (MP) Terry Patchett. Barnsley council leader Jeff Ennis held the seat for Labour on an increased majority of 68% and more than three quarters of the votes, despite a low voter turnout.
Despite a slight reduction in the vote for the Liberal Democrats, they overtook the Conservative Party for second place. The Socialist Labour Party, on their leader Arthur Scargill's home territory, was able to save its deposit.
As a result of Labour's hold, the Conservative government fell into minority status, losing the majority the party had held for seventeen years.
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