The November 1990 Bootle by-election was held on 8 November 1990 after the previous MP for Bootle Michael Carr died on 20 July, only 57 days after his election in a by-election in May.
Labour stood Joe Benton, the leader of Sefton Borough Council, a local Justice of the Peace and a personnel manager with Girobank. All the other parties stood the same candidates as in May, although the Social Democratic Party and the independent did not stand. The only addition to the field was David Black, a candidate in the previous year's Vauxhall and Vale of Glamorgan by-elections, standing as "Christian Alliance".
On a low turnout of 39.7%, Benton increased the Labour Party majority again, taking 78.2% of the vote. The Conservative vote held steady, while all the other parties dropped back. This allowed the Loonies to overtake the continuing Liberal Party.
Benton remained the Member of Parliament for the seat until retiring in 2015, while Clappison was elected in 1992 for Hertsmere.