The Bournemouth East by election was a by election for the Parliament of the United Kingdom held on 24 November 1977 after the resignation of John Cordle following his criticism by a Select Committee for business links to corrupt architect John Poulson.
Cordle had been elected in the October 1974 General Election for the Conservative Party with a majority of 10,661 over the Liberal Party.
David Atkinson served in Parliament until the 2005 General Election when he stood down. He was succeeded by retired Army Major Tobias Ellwood, who was also returned for the Conservative Party.