Bury St Edmunds (UK Parliament constituency)
UK Parliamentary constituency, 1801–2024
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bury St Edmunds was a constituency[n 1] in Suffolk from 1621 to 2024, most recently represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from 2015 to 2024 by Jo Churchill, a Conservative.[n 2]
| Bury St Edmunds | |
|---|---|
| Former county constituency for the House of Commons | |
Boundary of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk | |
Location of Suffolk within England | |
| County | Suffolk |
| Population | 113,678 (2011 census)[1] |
| Electorate | 85,933 (December 2010)[2] |
| Major settlements | Bury St Edmunds, Elmswell, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Thurston |
| 1918–2024 | |
| Seats | One |
| 1614–1918 | |
| Seats | 1614–1885: Two 1885–1918: One |
| Type of constituency | Borough constituency |
Under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was subject to moderate boundary changes and was abolished for the 2024 general election, with the bulk of the electorate being included in the new constituency of Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket.[3]
Constituency profile
The constituency covered Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and smaller settlements on the A14 corridor. Residents' wealth was around average for the UK.[4]
History
The constituency was created as a Parliamentary Borough in 1614, returning two MPs to the House of Commons of England until 1707, then to the House of Commons of Great Britain until 1800, and from 1800 to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. By the mid eighteenth century the seat was seen as heavily influenced by the Earl of Bristol and the Duke of Grafton.[5] Its representation was reduced to one seat under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. Under the Representation of the People Act 1918, it was abolished as a borough and reconstituted as a division of the Parliamentary County of West Suffolk. As well as the abolished borough, the expanded seat comprised most of the abolished Stowmarket Division, except for the town of Stowmarket itself. From 1950, it has been classified as a county constituency in terms of election expenses and type of returning officer.
The electorate has elected Conservative Party candidates at the general elections and two by-elections since a Liberal victory in 1880. The closest contest since that year was in 1997 when the Labour Party candidate fell 368 votes, less than 1%, short of winning the seat in 1997 during Tony Blair's first landslide result.
Boundaries and boundary changes
1918–1950
- The Borough of Bury St Edmunds;
- The Urban District of Newmarket;
- The Rural Districts of Brandon, Mildenhall, and Thedwastre; and
- Parts of the Rural Districts of Moulton and Thingoe.[6]
1950–1983
- The Borough of Bury St Edmunds:
- The Urban Districts of Haverhill and Newmarket; and
- The Rural Districts of Clare, Mildenhall, Thedwastre, and Thingoe.[6]
Extended to the south-west, gaining western and northern parts of the abolished Sudbury Division of West Suffolk, including Haverhill.
1983–1997
- The Borough of St Edmundsbury wards of Abbeygate, Barningham, Barrow, Chevington, Eastgate, Fornham, Great Barton, Honington, Horringer, Ixworth, Northgate, Pakenham, Risby, Risbygate, Rougham, St Olave's, Sextons, Southgate, Stanton, Westgate, and Whelnetham; and
- The District of Forest Heath.[7]
Southern areas, including Haverhill, were transferred to the new constituency of South Suffolk. The easternmost area, equivalent to the former Rural District of Thedwastre, was transferred to the new constituency of Central Suffolk.
1997–2010
- The Borough of St Edmundsbury wards of Abbeygate, Eastgate, Fornham, Great Barton, Horringer Court, Northgate, Pakenham, Risbygate, Rougham, St Olave's, Sextons, Southgate, Westgate, and Whelnetham; and
- The District of Mid Suffolk wards of Badwell Ash, Elmswell, Gislingham, Haughley and Wetherden, Needham Market, Norton, Onehouse, Rattlesden, Rickinghall, Ringshall, Stowmarket Central, Stowmarket North, Stowmarket South, Stowupland, Thurston, Walsham-le-Willows, and Woolpit.[8]
Major reconfiguration, with the majority of the constituency, including Newmarket, forming the basis of the new County Constituency of West Suffolk. Extended eastwards, gaining western half of Central Suffolk, including Stowmarket.
2010–2024
- The Borough of St Edmundsbury wards of Abbeygate, Eastgate, Fornham, Great Barton, Horringer and Whelnetham, Minden, Moreton Hall, Northgate, Pakenham, Risbygate, Rougham, St Olave's, Southgate, and Westgate; and
- The District of Mid Suffolk wards of Bacton and Old Newton, Badwell Ash, Elmswell and Norton, Gislingham, Haughley and Wetherden, Needham Market, Onehouse, Rattlesden, Rickinghall and Walsham, Ringshall, Stowmarket Central, Stowmarket North, Stowmarket South, Stowupland, Thurston and Hessett, and Woolpit.[9]
Marginal changes due to revision of local authority wards.
The constituency contained the towns of Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market. Its boundaries did not match those of the former borough of St Edmundsbury, which included Haverhill (part of West Suffolk constituency), and excludes Stowmarket and Needham Market.
Members of Parliament
MPs 1621–1660
| Parliament | First member | Second member |
|---|---|---|
| 1621 | Sir Thomas Jermyn | John Woodford |
| 1624 | Sir Thomas Jermyn | Anthony Crofts |
| 1625 | Sir Thomas Jermyn | Sir William Spring |
| 1626 | Sir Thomas Jermyn | Emanuel Gifford |
| 1628 | Sir Thomas Jermyn | Sir William Hervey |
| 1629–1640 | No Parliaments summoned | |
| 1640 April | Sir Thomas Jermyn | John Godbolt |
| 1640 November | Thomas Jermyn, disabled on 14 February 1644 | Henry Jermyn, ennobled 6 September 1643[10] |
| 1645 | Sir Thomas Barnardiston | Sir William Spring, excluded in Pride's Purge in 1648 |
| 1653 | Bury St Edmunds not represented in Barebones Parliament | |
| 1654 | Samuel Moody | John Clarke |
| 1656 | Samuel Moody | John Clarke |
| 1659 | John Clarke | Thomas Chaplin[11] |
| 1659 Restored Rump Parliament | Sir Thomas Barnardiston | No second member[n 3] |
MPs 1660–1885
Two Members
MPs since 1885
Elections
|
2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |

Elections in the 2010s
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Jo Churchill | 37,770 | 61.0 | +1.8 | |
| Labour | Cliff Waterman | 12,782 | 20.6 | −8.9 | |
| Green | Helen Geake | 9,711 | 15.7 | +11.5 | |
| Independent | Paul Hopfensperger | 1,694 | 2.7 | New | |
| Majority | 24,988 | 40.4 | +10.7 | ||
| Turnout | 61,957 | 69.1 | −3.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 89,644 | +4.2 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.3 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Jo Churchill | 36,794 | 59.2 | +5.6 | |
| Labour | William Edwards | 18,353 | 29.5 | +11.8 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Helen Korfanty | 3,565 | 5.7 | −0.3 | |
| Green | Helen Geake | 2,596 | 4.2 | −3.7 | |
| Independent | Liam Byrne | 852 | 1.4 | New | |
| Majority | 18,441 | 29.7 | −6.2 | ||
| Turnout | 62,160 | 72.2 | +3.2 | ||
| Registered electors | 86,071 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | -3.1 | |||
Note: Independent politician St Edmundsbury Borough Councillor[30] and Bury St Edmunds Town Councillor[31] Paul Hopfensperger[32] submitted a valid nomination but this was subsequently withdrawn. Because of the timing of the withdrawal, his name appears in the Statement of Persons Nominated[33] for this election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Jo Churchill[36] | 31,815 | 53.6 | +6.1 | |
| Labour | William Edwards[37] | 10,514 | 17.7 | +1.0 | |
| UKIP | John Howlett | 8,739 | 14.7 | +9.6 | |
| Green | Helen Geake[38] | 4,692 | 7.9 | +3.6 | |
| Liberal Democrats | David Chappell | 3,581 | 6.0 | −20.4 | |
| Majority | 21,301 | 35.9 | +14.8 | ||
| Turnout | 59,341 | 69.0 | −0.3 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.5 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | David Ruffley | 27,899 | 47.5 | +1.2 | |
| Liberal Democrats | David Chappell | 15,519 | 26.4 | +6.7 | |
| Labour | Kevin Hind | 9,776 | 16.7 | −10.7 | |
| UKIP | John Howlett | 3,003 | 5.1 | +1.6 | |
| Green | Mark Ereira-Guyer | 2,521 | 4.3 | +1.3 | |
| Majority | 12,380 | 21.1 | +2.2 | ||
| Turnout | 58,718 | 69.3 | +2.5 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.8 | |||
Elections in the 2000s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | David Ruffley | 24,332 | 46.2 | +2.7 | |
| Labour | David Monaghan | 14,402 | 27.4 | −11.1 | |
| Liberal Democrats | David Chappell | 10,423 | 19.8 | +5.9 | |
| UKIP | John Howlett | 1,859 | 3.5 | +1.8 | |
| Green | Graham Manning | 1,603 | 3.0 | New | |
| Majority | 9,930 | 18.8 | +13.8 | ||
| Turnout | 52,619 | 66.1 | +0.1 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +6.9 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | David Ruffley | 21,850 | 43.5 | +5.2 | |
| Labour | Mark Ereira-Guyer | 19,347 | 38.5 | +0.8 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Richard Williams | 6,998 | 13.9 | −4.3 | |
| UKIP | John Howlett | 831 | 1.7 | New | |
| Independent | Michael Brundle | 651 | 1.3 | New | |
| Socialist Labour | Michael Benwell | 580 | 1.2 | New | |
| Majority | 2,503 | 5.0 | +4.4 | ||
| Turnout | 50,257 | 66.0 | −9.0 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.1 | |||
Elections in the 1990s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | David Ruffley | 21,290 | 38.3 | −7.6 | |
| Labour | Mark Ereira-Guyer | 20,922 | 37.7 | +11.7 | |
| Liberal Democrats | David A. Cooper | 10,102 | 18.2 | −8.7 | |
| Referendum | Ian C.H. McWhirter | 2,939 | 5.3 | New | |
| Natural Law | Joanna B. Lillis | 272 | 0.5 | −0.4 | |
| Majority | 368 | 0.6 | −29.4 | ||
| Turnout | 55,525 | 75.0 | +0.6 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −14.6 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Richard Spring | 33,554 | 53.5 | −5.8 | |
| Labour | Tommy Sheppard | 14,767 | 23.6 | +6.3 | |
| Liberal Democrats | John B. Williams | 13,814 | 22.0 | +0.5 | |
| Natural Law | Joanna B. Lillis | 550 | 0.9 | New | |
| Majority | 18,787 | 29.9 | −7.9 | ||
| Turnout | 62,685 | 78.9 | +4.8 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −6.1 | |||
Elections in the 1980s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 33,672 | 59.3 | +0.3 | |
| SDP | Reginald Harland | 12,214 | 21.5 | −6.9 | |
| Labour | Christopher Greene | 9,841 | 17.3 | +4.6 | |
| Green | Ida Wakelam | 1,057 | 1.9 | New | |
| Majority | 21,458 | 37.8 | +7.2 | ||
| Turnout | 56,784 | 74.1 | +1.8 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +3.6 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 31,081 | 59.0 | −2.0 | |
| SDP | Reginald Harland | 14,959 | 28.4 | +14.2 | |
| Labour | Wiktor Mosczynski | 6,666 | 12.7 | −16.3 | |
| Majority | 16,122 | 30.6 | +2.6 | ||
| Turnout | 52,706 | 72.3 | −4.0 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
Elections in the 1970s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 41,426 | 57.0 | +6.6 | |
| Labour | A. Gibson | 21,167 | 29.0 | −4.0 | |
| Liberal | G. Jones | 10,836 | 14.2 | −2.4 | |
| Majority | 20,259 | 28.0 | +10.6 | ||
| Turnout | 73,429 | 76.3 | +3.1 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.3 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 32,179 | 50.4 | +2.9 | |
| Labour | J.K Stephenson | 21,097 | 33.0 | +4.3 | |
| Liberal | G Jones | 10,631 | 16.6 | −7.2 | |
| Majority | 11,082 | 17.4 | −1.4 | ||
| Turnout | 63,907 | 73.2 | −8.1 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.7 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 33,424 | 47.5 | −13.7 | |
| Labour | J.K Stephenson | 20,171 | 28.7 | −10.1 | |
| Liberal | B. Boulton | 16,772 | 23.8 | New | |
| Majority | 13,253 | 18.8 | −3.6 | ||
| Turnout | 70,367 | 81.3 | +4.1 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −7.2 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 36,688 | 61.2 | +6.6 | |
| Labour | Colin J. V. Seager | 23,286 | 38.8 | −6.6 | |
| Majority | 13,402 | 22.4 | +13.2 | ||
| Turnout | 59,974 | 77.2 | −1.6 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
Elections in the 1960s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 27,782 | 54.6 | +4.4 | |
| Labour | Colin J. V. Seager | 23,140 | 45.4 | +5.2 | |
| Majority | 4,462 | 9.2 | −0.8 | ||
| Turnout | 50,922 | 78.8 | −3.4 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | -0.8 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 25,206 | 50.2 | −8.6 | |
| Labour | Noel James Insley | 20,216 | 40.2 | −1.1 | |
| Liberal | Richard L. Afton | 4,840 | 9.6 | N/A | |
| Majority | 4,990 | 10.0 | −7.5 | ||
| Turnout | 50,262 | 82.2 | +3.6 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | -7.5 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Eldon Griffiths | 22,141 | 49.0 | −9.8 | |
| Labour | Noel James Insley | 19,682 | 43.5 | +2.2 | |
| Liberal | Richard L. Afton | 3,387 | 7.5 | New | |
| Majority | 2,459 | 5.5 | −12.0 | ||
| Turnout | 45,210 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
Elections in the 1950s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | William Aitken | 26,730 | 58.8 | +3.7 | |
| Labour | Alison Margaret A. Walter | 18,768 | 41.3 | −3.6 | |
| Majority | 7,962 | 17.5 | +7.3 | ||
| Turnout | 45,498 | 78.6 | +0.3 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +3.6 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | William Aitken | 24,532 | 55.1 | +0.7 | |
| Labour | Neville Stanley | 19,962 | 44.9 | −0.7 | |
| Majority | 4,570 | 10.2 | +1.4 | ||
| Turnout | 44,494 | 78.3 | −1.5 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +0.7 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | William Aitken | 24,679 | 54.4 | +5.1 | |
| Labour | Neville Stanley | 20,690 | 45.6 | +5.3 | |
| Majority | 3,989 | 8.8 | −0.2 | ||
| Turnout | 45,369 | 79.8 | −2.7 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | -0.1 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | William Aitken | 22,559 | 49.3 | +0.6 | |
| Labour | Cecily Alicia McCall | 18,430 | 40.3 | +10.5 | |
| Liberal | Henry William Sparham | 4,780 | 10.4 | −8.6 | |
| Majority | 4,129 | 9.0 | −9.9 | ||
| Turnout | 45,769 | 82.5 | +14.7 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | -4.9 | |||
Elections in the 1940s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Geoffrey Clifton-Brown | 15,013 | 48.7 | N/A | |
| Labour | Cecily Alicia McCall | 9,195 | 29.8 | New | |
| Liberal | Harold Charles Drayton | 5,863 | 19.0 | New | |
| Common Wealth | Eric Gordon England | 750 | 2.4 | New | |
| Majority | 5,818 | 18.9 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 30,821 | 67.8 | N/A | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |||
Following the death of Frank Heilgers on 16 January 1944 a by-election was held on 29 February 1944.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Edgar Keatinge | 11,705 | 56.2 | N/A | |
| Independent Liberal | Margery Corbett Ashby | 9,121 | 43.8 | New | |
| Majority | 2,584 | 12.4 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 20,828 | 50.8 | N/A | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |||
Elections in the 1930s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frank Heilgers | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
| Conservative hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frank Heilgers | Unopposed | N/A | N/A | |
| Conservative hold | |||||
Elections in the 1920s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionist | Walter Guinness | 16,462 | 54.4 | −8.7 | |
| Liberal | Dar Lyon | 11,344 | 37.4 | +0.5 | |
| Labour | Percy Astins | 2,490 | 8.2 | New | |
| Majority | 5,118 | 17.0 | −9.2 | ||
| Turnout | 30,296 | 77.8 | −4.0 | ||
| Registered electors | 38,938 | ||||
| Unionist hold | Swing | −4.6 | |||
On Guinness's nomination as Minister of Agriculture a by-election in 1925 was required under the electoral law of the time, which he won.[42]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionist | Walter Guinness | 14,700 | 62.8 | −0.3 | |
| Liberal | George Nicholls | 8,703 | 37.2 | +0.3 | |
| Majority | 5,997 | 25.6 | −0.6 | ||
| Turnout | 23,403 | 73.9 | −7.9 | ||
| Registered electors | 31,648 | ||||
| Unionist hold | Swing | −0.3 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionist | Walter Guinness | 16,073 | 63.1 | N/A | |
| Liberal | John Adam Day | 9,392 | 36.9 | New | |
| Majority | 6,681 | 26.2 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 25,465 | 81.8 | N/A | ||
| Registered electors | 31,138 | ||||
| Unionist hold | Swing | N/A | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionist | Walter Guinness | Unopposed | |||
| Unionist hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unionist | Walter Guinness | Unopposed | |||
| Unionist hold | |||||
Elections in the 1910s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Unionist | Walter Guinness | Unopposed | ||
| Unionist hold | |||||
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. | |||||
General Election 1914–15:
Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
- Unionist: Walter Guinness
- Liberal:
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Walter Guinness | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Walter Guinness | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | |||||
Elections in the 1900s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Walter Guinness | 1,631 | 68.8 | +10.2 | |
| Liberal | Walter Baldwyn Yates | 741 | 31.2 | −10.2 | |
| Majority | 890 | 37.6 | +20.4 | ||
| Turnout | 2,372 | 86.6 | −4.1 | ||
| Registered electors | 2,740 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +10.2 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 1,481 | 58.6 | N/A | |
| Liberal | Walter Baldwyn Yates | 1,047 | 41.4 | New | |
| Majority | 434 | 17.2 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 2,528 | 90.7 | N/A | ||
| Registered electors | 2,788 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Edward Greene | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | |||||
Elections in the 1890s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Henry Cadogan | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | |||||

| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Henry Cadogan | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Francis Hervey | 1,267 | 59.5 | +0.8 | |
| Liberal | John Eustace Jameson | 863 | 40.5 | −0.8 | |
| Majority | 404 | 19.0 | +1.6 | ||
| Turnout | 2,130 | 84.7 | +0.3 | ||
| Registered electors | 2,515 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +0.8 | |||
Elections in the 1880s
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2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Francis Hervey | 1,135 | 58.7 | +4.7 | |
| Liberal | Frederick Goodwin | 800 | 41.3 | −4.7 | |
| Majority | 335 | 17.4 | +9.4 | ||
| Turnout | 1,935 | 84.4 | −6.3 | ||
| Registered electors | 2,292 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +4.7 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Francis Hervey | 1,122 | 54.0 | −5.9 | |
| Liberal | Joseph Hardcastle | 956 | 46.0 | +5.8 | |
| Majority | 166 | 8.0 | |||
| Turnout | 2,078 | 90.7 | −1.7 (est) | ||
| Registered electors | 2,292 | ||||
| Conservative win (new seat) | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Joseph Hardcastle | 1,110 | 40.2 | −0.8 | |
| Conservative | Edward Greene | 850 | 30.8 | −0.1 | |
| Conservative | Francis Hervey | 803 | 29.1 | +1.0 | |
| Majority | 307 | 11.1 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 1,960 (est) | 92.4 (est) | +7.6 | ||
| Registered electors | 2,122 | ||||
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | −0.7 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | ||||
Elections in the 1870s
|
2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Edward Greene | 1,004 | 30.9 | +13.1 | |
| Conservative | Francis Hervey | 914 | 28.1 | +10.3 | |
| Liberal | Joseph Hardcastle | 707 | 21.7 | −13.3 | |
| Liberal | Charles Lamport[52] | 628 | 19.3 | −10.2 | |
| Majority | 207 | 6.4 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 1,627 (est) | 84.8 (est) | −5.7 | ||
| Registered electors | 1,919 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +11.7 | |||
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +11.8 | |||
Elections in the 1860s
|
2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Edward Greene | 714 | 35.5 | +2.1 | |
| Liberal | Joseph Hardcastle | 703 | 35.0 | −1.9 | |
| Liberal | Edward Bunbury | 593 | 29.5 | N/A | |
| Majority | 11 | 0.5 | |||
| Turnout | 1,362 (est) | 90.5 (est) | +4.5 | ||
| Registered electors | 1,505 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |||
| Liberal hold | Swing | N/A | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal | Joseph Hardcastle | 331 | 36.9 | +6.5 | |
| Conservative | Edward Greene | 300 | 33.4 | +5.3 | |
| Liberal-Conservative | Alfred Hervey[53] | 266 | 29.7 | −11.7 | |
| Majority | 31 | 3.5 | +1.2 | ||
| Turnout | 582 (est) | 86.0 (est) | +13.4 | ||
| Registered electors | 676 | ||||
| Liberal hold | Swing | +6.2 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.6 | |||
Elections in the 1850s
|
2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Alfred Hervey | 418 | 41.4 | +4.4 | |
| Liberal | Joseph Hardcastle | 307 | 30.4 | −4.0 | |
| Conservative | Robert Buxton | 284 | 28.1 | −0.5 | |
| Turnout | 505 (est) | 72.6 (est) | +6.4 | ||
| Registered electors | 695 | ||||
| Majority | 134 | 13.3 | N/A | ||
| Majority | 23 | 2.3 | −3.5 | ||
| Liberal hold | Swing | −1.9 | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +4.4 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Alfred Hervey | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |||
- Caused by Hervey's succession to the peerage, becoming 2nd Marquess of Bristol
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 344 | 37.0 | −6.2 | |
| Whig | Joseph Hardcastle | 320 | 34.4 | +6.4 | |
| Conservative | James Oakes | 266 | 28.6 | −0.2 | |
| Turnout | 465 (est) | 66.2 (est) | −10.7 | ||
| Registered electors | 702 | ||||
| Majority | 24 | 2.6 | +1.8 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −4.7 | |||
| Majority | 54 | 5.8 | N/A | ||
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +6.4 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | James Oakes | 324 | 50.6 | −21.4 | |
| Whig | Joseph Hardcastle | 316 | 49.4 | +21.4 | |
| Majority | 8 | 1.2 | +0.4 | ||
| Turnout | 640 | 89.8 | +12.9 | ||
| Registered electors | 713 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | −21.4 | |||
- Caused by Stuart's resignation after being appointed a Vice-Chancellor of the Court of Chancery.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 493 | 43.2 | +3.4 | |
| Conservative | John Stuart | 328 | 28.8 | +1.9 | |
| Whig | Edward Bunbury | 319 | 28.0 | −5.3 | |
| Majority | 9 | 0.8 | N/A | ||
| Turnout | 570 (est) | 76.9 (est) | +11.6 | ||
| Registered electors | 741 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +3.0 | |||
| Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +2.3 | |||
Elections in the 1840s
|
2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 390 | 39.8 | +11.5 | |
| Whig | Edward Bunbury | 327 | 33.3 | −13.6 | |
| Conservative | Horace Twiss | 264 | 26.9 | +2.2 | |
| Turnout | 491 (est) | 65.3 (est) | −20.5 | ||
| Registered electors | 751 | ||||
| Majority | 63 | 6.5 | +3.9 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +9.2 | |||
| Majority | 63 | 6.4 | +5.4 | ||
| Whig hold | Swing | −13.7 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | Unopposed | |||
| Conservative hold | |||||
- Caused by Hervey's appointment as Treasurer of the Household
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 341 | 28.3 | +2.9 | |
| Whig | Charles FitzRoy | 310 | 25.7 | −0.8 | |
| Conservative | Horace Twiss | 298 | 24.7 | +1.9 | |
| Whig | Rowland Gardiner Alston[54] | 256 | 21.2 | −4.1 | |
| Turnout | 612 | 85.8 | −0.3 | ||
| Registered electors | 713 | ||||
| Majority | 31 | 2.6 | +2.5 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.7 | |||
| Majority | 12 | 1.0 | −0.1 | ||
| Whig hold | Swing | −1.6 | |||
Elections in the 1830s
|
2020s - 2010s – 2000s – 1990s – 1980s – 1970s – 1960s – 1950s – 1940s – 1930s – 1920s – 1910s – 1900s – 1890s – 1880s – 1870s – 1860s– 1850s– 1840s– 1830s– Back to Top |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | Charles FitzRoy | 289 | 26.5 | −7.6 | |
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 277 | 25.4 | +8.1 | |
| Whig | Charles Bunbury | 275 | 25.3 | −6.0 | |
| Conservative | Frederick Gough-Calthorpe | 248 | 22.8 | +5.5 | |
| Turnout | 552 | 86.1 | −7.8 | ||
| Registered electors | 641 | ||||
| Majority | 12 | 1.1 | |||
| Whig hold | Swing | −7.2 | |||
| Majority | 2 | 0.1 | −0.4 | ||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +7.5 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | Charles FitzRoy | Unopposed | |||
| Whig hold | |||||
- Caused by FitzRoy's appointment as Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Frederick Hervey | 317 | 34.6 | +2.7 | |
| Whig | Charles FitzRoy | 312 | 34.1 | −6.2 | |
| Whig | Charles Bunbury | 287 | 31.3 | +3.4 | |
| Majority | 5 | 0.5 | −3.5 | ||
| Turnout | 582 | 93.9 | +5.6 | ||
| Registered electors | 620 | ||||
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.8 | |||
| Whig hold | Swing | −3.8 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whig | Charles FitzRoy | 344 | 40.3 | +14.9 | |
| Tory | Frederick Hervey | 272 | 31.9 | −39.3 | |
| Whig | Frederick King Eagle | 238 | 27.9 | +24.5 | |
| Turnout | 521 | 88.3 | +1.8 | ||
| Registered electors | 590 | ||||
| Majority | 72 | 8.4 | +6.7 | ||
| Whig hold | Swing | +17.3 | |||
| Majority | 34 | 4.0 | −18.1 | ||
| Tory hold | Swing | −39.4 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tory | Frederick Hervey | 28 | 47.5 | N/A | |
| Whig | Charles Augustus FitzRoy | 15 | 25.4 | N/A | |
| Tory | Philip Bennet | 14 | 23.7 | N/A | |
| Whig | Robert Rolfe | 2 | 3.4 | N/A | |
| Turnout | 32 | 86.5 | N/A | ||
| Registered electors | 37 | ||||
| Majority | 13 | 22.1 | N/A | ||
| Tory hold | Swing | N/A | |||
| Majority | 1 | 1.7 | N/A | ||
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tory | Frederick Hervey | Unopposed | |||
| Whig | Henry FitzRoy | Unopposed | |||
| Tory hold | |||||
| Whig hold | |||||
See also
Notes
- A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer).
- As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.
- Sir William Spring, 1st Baronet had died in 1654
