COST OF ELECTIONS

Election	Conduct of the poll (£)	Postal deliveries (£)	Total (£)
Source: British Electoral Facts 1832-2012 p. 122 SOURCE The total cost for the winning candidates was £41,550 when lost income was included.  It was significantly less - £27,235 – for losing candidates (partly reflecting the fact that some candidates were unlikely to win their seats and consequently spent and sacrificed less).  Average cost of fighting a seat (with lost income included): £34,392. When considering direct costs only the cost was £22,020 for winning candidates and £16,070 for losing candidates.  Average costs (only including fees, housing, travel and other direct costs): £19,045. Link for Iain Dales cost of becoming an MP
1979	7,115,539	6,668,614	13,784,153
1983	12,139,634	11,281,228	23,420,862
1987	14,741,334	12,152,497	26,893,831
1992	22,703,801	18,011,749	40,715,550
1997	29,764,513	23,359,582	53,124,095
2001	36,000,000	20,200,000	56,200,000
2005	46,000,000	25,000,000	71,000,000
2010	84,600,000	28,655,271	113,255,271