Basildon (UK Parliament constituency)
Encyclopedia
Basildon was a parliamentary constituency
represented in the House of Commons
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It elected one Member of Parliament
(MP) by the first past the post system of election.
It was created in 1974, mostly from the seat of Billericay
. It was one of the best known bellwether constituencies in the Britain, having voted for the winning party in each election since its creation. The failure of the Labour Party
to win it in the 1992 election
— Basildon would be the first to declare of all the marginal seats — foreshadowed Labour's fourth straight defeat at the hands of the Conservative Party
.
The boundaries used at the 2005 election were first introduced in 1997. The constituency was not entirely located within the Basildon district
, taking in the area around Stanford-le-Hope
and Corringham
from Thurrock
. The constituency also did not contain the urban wards to the east and west of Basildon such as Pitsea and parts of Laindon Park, these being located in the Billericay constituency.
Following their review of parliamentary representation in Essex
, the Boundary Commission for England made radical changes to all parliamentary constituencies in the county for the 2010 General Election, and the Basildon constituency was divided. The majority of the seat formed the basis of the new South Basildon and East Thurrock
constituency, while the wards around central Basildon were merged with the bulk of the current Billericay
constituency to form a new seat called Basildon and Billericay
.
" constituency based on the new town
of Basildon
. Much of its population has its origins in the East End of London
, who as a group traditionally voted for the Labour Party.
However, throughout the 1980s and until the Labour landslide victory of 1997
, many voters in the area transferred their loyalties to the Conservative Party. The MP throughout that period was David Amess
, who himself originated from east London (Plaistow
), and now holds the safer seat of Southend West.
Labour took the seat in 1997 and 2001 with a large majority, and in 2005 with a reduced majority. Basildon thus proved to be a "bellwether" seat, voting for the eventual winning party since 1974.
United Kingdom constituencies
In the United Kingdom , each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly.Within the United Kingdom there are now five bodies with members elected by constituencies:...
represented in the House of Commons
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. It elected one Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MP) by the first past the post system of election.
It was created in 1974, mostly from the seat of Billericay
Billericay (UK Parliament constituency)
Billericay was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.It returned Conservative MPs at every election except 1966....
. It was one of the best known bellwether constituencies in the Britain, having voted for the winning party in each election since its creation. The failure of the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
to win it in the 1992 election
United Kingdom general election, 1992
The United Kingdom general election of 1992 was held on 9 April 1992, and was the fourth consecutive victory for the Conservative Party. This election result was one of the biggest surprises in 20th Century politics, as polling leading up to the day of the election showed Labour under leader Neil...
— Basildon would be the first to declare of all the marginal seats — foreshadowed Labour's fourth straight defeat at the hands of the Conservative Party
Conservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
.
Boundaries
From 1983 to 1997, the constituency was made up of the following electoral wards of the district of Basildon: Fryerns Central; Fryerns East; Langdon Hills; Lee Chapel North; Nethermayne; Pitsea East; Pitsea West; and Vange. The Conservative David Amess held the seat during this period.The boundaries used at the 2005 election were first introduced in 1997. The constituency was not entirely located within the Basildon district
Basildon (district)
Basildon is a local government district in south Essex in the East of England, centred around the town of Basildon. The district was formed under the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974 from the former area of Basildon Urban District and the part of Thurrock Urban District that was within the...
, taking in the area around Stanford-le-Hope
Stanford-le-Hope
Stanford-le-Hope is a town and Church of England parish situated in the county of Essex, England. The town is within the unitary authority of Thurrock and located 23.8 miles east of Charing Cross in London...
and Corringham
Corringham
Corringham may refer to:*Corringham, Essex, England*Corringham, Lincolnshire, England...
from Thurrock
Thurrock
Thurrock is a unitary authority with borough status in the English ceremonial county of Essex. It is part of the London commuter belt and an area of regeneration within the Thames Gateway redevelopment zone. The local authority is Thurrock Council....
. The constituency also did not contain the urban wards to the east and west of Basildon such as Pitsea and parts of Laindon Park, these being located in the Billericay constituency.
Following their review of parliamentary representation in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, the Boundary Commission for England made radical changes to all parliamentary constituencies in the county for the 2010 General Election, and the Basildon constituency was divided. The majority of the seat formed the basis of the new South Basildon and East Thurrock
South Basildon and East Thurrock (UK Parliament constituency)
South Basildon and East Thurrock is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election....
constituency, while the wards around central Basildon were merged with the bulk of the current Billericay
Billericay (UK Parliament constituency)
Billericay was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.It returned Conservative MPs at every election except 1966....
constituency to form a new seat called Basildon and Billericay
Basildon and Billericay (UK Parliament constituency)
Basildon and Billericay is a borough constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament using the first past the post electoral system. The seat was created for the 2010 general election following a review of the Parliamentary...
.
Profile
Basildon was a (famously) Conservative seat between 1979 and 1997 as the quintessential "Essex manEssex man
Essex man and Mondeo man are stereotypical figures which were popularised in 1990s England. "Essex man" as a political figure is an example of a type of median voter and was used to help explain the electoral successes of Margaret Thatcher in the previous decade...
" constituency based on the new town
New town
A new town is a specific type of a planned community, or planned city, that was carefully planned from its inception and is typically constructed in a previously undeveloped area. This contrasts with settlements that evolve in a more ad hoc fashion. Land use conflicts are uncommon in new...
of Basildon
Basildon
Basildon is a town located in the Basildon District of the county of Essex, England.It lies east of Central London and south of the county town of Chelmsford...
. Much of its population has its origins in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
, who as a group traditionally voted for the Labour Party.
However, throughout the 1980s and until the Labour landslide victory of 1997
United Kingdom general election, 1997
The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general...
, many voters in the area transferred their loyalties to the Conservative Party. The MP throughout that period was David Amess
David Amess
David Anthony Andrew Amess is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1983, first for Basildon, and since 1997 for Southend West.-Early life:...
, who himself originated from east London (Plaistow
Plaistow, Newham
Plaistow is a place in the London Borough of Newham in east London. It formed part of the County Borough of West Ham in Essex until 1965.Plaistow is a mainly residential area, including several council estates; the main road is the A112 - Plaistow Road, High Street, Broadway, Greengate Street and...
), and now holds the safer seat of Southend West.
Labour took the seat in 1997 and 2001 with a large majority, and in 2005 with a reduced majority. Basildon thus proved to be a "bellwether" seat, voting for the eventual winning party since 1974.
Members of Parliament
| Election | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1974 United Kingdom general election, February 1974 The United Kingdom's general election of February 1974 was held on the 28th of that month. It was the first of two United Kingdom general elections held that year, and the first election since the Second World War not to produce an overall majority in the House of Commons for the winning party,... |
Eric Moonman Eric Moonman Eric Moonman was a British Labour politician. He was Member of Parliament for Billericay 1966-70 and Basildon 1974-9.... |
Labour Labour Party (UK) The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after... |
|
| 1979 United Kingdom general election, 1979 The United Kingdom general election of 1979 was held on 3 May 1979 to elect 635 members to the British House of Commons. The Conservative Party, led by Margaret Thatcher ousted the incumbent Labour government of James Callaghan with a parliamentary majority of 43 seats... |
Harvey Proctor Harvey Proctor Harvey Proctor was a British Conservative Member of Parliament. He represented Basildon from 1979 to 1983 and Billericay from 1983 to 1987. Proctor became known for his right-wing views and for the manner in which scandal forced the end of his Parliamentary career.- Background :Proctor's father... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
|
| 1983 United Kingdom general election, 1983 The 1983 United Kingdom general election was held on 9 June 1983. It gave the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher the most decisive election victory since that of Labour in 1945... |
David Amess David Amess David Anthony Andrew Amess is a British Conservative Party politician. He has been a Member of Parliament since 1983, first for Basildon, and since 1997 for Southend West.-Early life:... |
Conservative Conservative Party (UK) The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House... |
|
| 1997 United Kingdom general election, 1997 The United Kingdom general election, 1997 was held on 1 May 1997, more than five years after the previous election on 9 April 1992, to elect 659 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party ended its 18 years in opposition under the leadership of Tony Blair, and won the general... |
Angela Smith Angela Evans Smith Angela Evans Smith, Baroness Smith of Basildon is a British Labour Co-operative politician who was the Member of Parliament for Basildon from 1997 till she was defeated in 2010... |
Labour Co-op Labour Co-operative Labour and Co-operative describes those candidates in British elections standing on behalf of both the Labour Party and the Co-operative Party, based on a national agreement between the two parties.... |
|
| 2010 | constituency abolished: see Basildon and Billericay Basildon and Billericay (UK Parliament constituency) Basildon and Billericay is a borough constituency in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament using the first past the post electoral system. The seat was created for the 2010 general election following a review of the Parliamentary... |
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