 The byelection campaign took place at a time when the Labour government of Harold Wilson was unpopular and Campbell criticised the government for cutting back on the motorway programmes and for their incomes policy.Many senior Conservatives travelled to Oldham to support Campbell, as a victory was thought possible.When the constituency polled on 13 June 1968, Campbell managed a 17.7% swing and won the seat with a majority of 3,311.