 Ward noted the large number of candidates (the Liberal Party, Communist Party of Great Britain and a "Young Socialist" candidate stood) could help him win if disenchanted Labour voters stayed at home.After a recount, Ward won with a majority of 478, overturning Noel-Baker's majority of over 10,000 at the 1966 general election; his victory speech was received in hostility by a Labour-supporting crowd.Ward made his maiden speech in a debate on capital punishment in December 1969, declaring that he wanted to vote for abolition of the death penalty with a clear conscience but that there was inadequate evidence that it was safe to do so.