City of Durham (constituency)
Encyclopedia
City of Durham is a constituency
represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. It elects one Member of Parliament
(MP) by the first past the post system of election. It has elected Labour MPs since 1935, although there have been strong Liberal-SDP Alliance and Liberal Democrat
challenges to Labour since the 1980s.
but one to be enfranchised before the Great Reform Act of 1832. It was the only borough in County Durham
, the county also having been unrepresented until the same Act of Parliament, which created two MPs for the county
and two for the city. Both constituencies were frequently referred to simply as Durham, which can make for some confusion.
The constituency as constituted in 1678 consisted only of the city of Durham
itself, though this included its suburbs which were within the municipal boundary. The right to vote was held by the corporation and the freemen of the city
, many of whom were not resident within the boundaries. Unlike the situation in many small rotten borough
s, the corporation had no jurisdiction over the creation of freemen: freemen were generally created by connection with companies of trade, either by apprenticeship
or by birth (by being the son of an existing freeman), though the common council of the city had a power to create honorary freemen.
The creation of honorary freemen with the specific intention of swaying elections was a common abuse in a number of boroughs in the 18th century, and at the Durham election of 1762 became sufficiently controversial to force a change in the law. The election was disputed because 215 new freemen, most of them not resident in the city, had been made after the writ for the election was issued. The existing freemen petitioned against this dilution of their voting rights, the candidate who had been declared elected was unseated by the Commons committee which heard the case, and the following year an Act of Parliament
was passed to prevent any honorary freeman from voting in a borough election within twelve months of their being accorded that status.
Through having a freeman franchise the electorate was comparatively numerous for the period, though comprising only a small fraction of the city's population; at the time of the Reform Act there were between 1,100 and 1,200 freemen in total, of whom 427 were resident and 558 lived within seven miles, while the total population of the borough was 9,269. The Lambton and Tempest families were influential, and were generally able to secure election, but fell far short of the sort of control common in pocket boroughs.
The city retained both its MPs under the 1832 Reform Act, with its boundaries adjusted only very slightly, although as elsewhere the franchise was reformed. The Reform Act 1867
extended the boundaries to include part of Framwellgate parish which had previously been excluded. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885
, the borough's representation was reduced at the from 1885 general election
to a single MP. In the boundary changes of 1918, the borough was abolished, but a division of County Durham was named after the City.
and between 1950 and 1974 that of Spennymoor
, as well as the rural districts in between, in which coal mining was the principal industry. The Durham county constituency from 1974 to 1983 included Durham itself, the Durham Rural District
except Brancepeth
and Sedgefield Rural District. In the 1983 boundary changes the constituency officially acquired the unambiguous City of Durham name for the first time, and its boundaries were realigned to match the new City of Durham local government district.
, Coxhoe
, Bowburn
, Framwellgate Moor
, Sherburn
and Ushaw Moor
. The seat extends as far west as Waterhouses
and as far east as Ludworth
. The seat has traditionally been dominated by Labour, with support particularly strong in those villages historically connected to County Durham
's mining industry. Durham is famous as an educational centre, for Durham University
and the feepaying preparatory school
, Chorister School
where Tony Blair
was educated. The city centre is more inclined to the Liberal Democrats. Like many other university cities such as Cambridge
and Oxford
, in the 2005 election it swung strongly towards the Liberal Democrats, one possible reason being these cities' sizeable student population who were viewed as being hostile to Labour's policies on areas such as top-up fees and the Iraq War. The Liberal Democrats were able to reduce Labour's majority by over 10,000 votes, although they were still unable to gain the seat from Labour, as was the case in the 2010 election.
Following a review of parliamentary representation in County Durham, the Boundary Commission for England has made no changes to the City of Durham constituency, which will remain co-terminous with the boundaries of the former district. The City of Durham local authority was abolished in the 2009 structural changes to local government in England
.
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 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 elects 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 has elected Labour MPs since 1935, although there have been strong Liberal-SDP Alliance and Liberal Democrat
Liberal Democrats
The Liberal Democrats are a social liberal political party in the United Kingdom which supports constitutional and electoral reform, progressive taxation, wealth taxation, human rights laws, cultural liberalism, banking reform and civil liberties .The party was formed in 1988 by a merger of the...
challenges to Labour since the 1980s.
The parliamentary borough (1678–1918)
The City of Durham was first given the right to return Members to Parliament by an Act of Parliament in 1678, the last new boroughParliamentary borough
Parliamentary boroughs are a type of administrative division, usually covering urban areas, that are entitled to representation in a Parliament...
but one to be enfranchised before the Great Reform Act of 1832. It was the only borough in County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
, the county also having been unrepresented until the same Act of Parliament, which created two MPs for the county
County Durham (UK Parliament constituency)
Durham or County Durham was a county constituency in northern England, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1675 until 1832.- History :...
and two for the city. Both constituencies were frequently referred to simply as Durham, which can make for some confusion.
The constituency as constituted in 1678 consisted only of the city of Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
itself, though this included its suburbs which were within the municipal boundary. The right to vote was held by the corporation and the freemen of the city
Freedom of the City
Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...
, many of whom were not resident within the boundaries. Unlike the situation in many small rotten borough
Rotten borough
A "rotten", "decayed" or pocket borough was a parliamentary borough or constituency in the United Kingdom that had a very small electorate and could be used by a patron to gain undue and unrepresentative influence within Parliament....
s, the corporation had no jurisdiction over the creation of freemen: freemen were generally created by connection with companies of trade, either by apprenticeship
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
or by birth (by being the son of an existing freeman), though the common council of the city had a power to create honorary freemen.
The creation of honorary freemen with the specific intention of swaying elections was a common abuse in a number of boroughs in the 18th century, and at the Durham election of 1762 became sufficiently controversial to force a change in the law. The election was disputed because 215 new freemen, most of them not resident in the city, had been made after the writ for the election was issued. The existing freemen petitioned against this dilution of their voting rights, the candidate who had been declared elected was unseated by the Commons committee which heard the case, and the following year an Act of Parliament
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
was passed to prevent any honorary freeman from voting in a borough election within twelve months of their being accorded that status.
Through having a freeman franchise the electorate was comparatively numerous for the period, though comprising only a small fraction of the city's population; at the time of the Reform Act there were between 1,100 and 1,200 freemen in total, of whom 427 were resident and 558 lived within seven miles, while the total population of the borough was 9,269. The Lambton and Tempest families were influential, and were generally able to secure election, but fell far short of the sort of control common in pocket boroughs.
The city retained both its MPs under the 1832 Reform Act, with its boundaries adjusted only very slightly, although as elsewhere the franchise was reformed. The Reform Act 1867
Reform Act 1867
The Representation of the People Act 1867, 30 & 31 Vict. c. 102 was a piece of British legislation that enfranchised the urban male working class in England and Wales....
extended the boundaries to include part of Framwellgate parish which had previously been excluded. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885
Redistribution of Seats Act 1885
The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was a piece of electoral reform legislation that redistributed the seats in the House of Commons, introducing the concept of equally populated constituencies, in an attempt to equalise representation across...
, the borough's representation was reduced at the from 1885 general election
United Kingdom general election, 1885
-Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:...
to a single MP. In the boundary changes of 1918, the borough was abolished, but a division of County Durham was named after the City.
County constituency (since 1918)
From 1918, Durham City was included in a county constituency officially called The Durham Division of (County) Durham, consisting of the central part of the county. Until 1974 it included the town of Hetton-le-HoleHetton-le-Hole
Hetton-le-Hole is a town and civil parish situated in the City of Sunderland in Tyne and Wear, England. It is on the A182 between Houghton-le-Spring and Easington Lane. It is located on the southwest corner of Sunderland on the A182, off A690 close to the A1. It has a population of 14,402 but this...
and between 1950 and 1974 that of Spennymoor
Spennymoor
Spennymoor is a town in County Durham, England. It stands above the Wear Valley approximately seven miles south of Durham. The town was founded over 160 years ago...
, as well as the rural districts in between, in which coal mining was the principal industry. The Durham county constituency from 1974 to 1983 included Durham itself, the Durham Rural District
Durham Rural District
Durham was a rural district in County Durham, England from 1894 to 1974. It was created under the Local Government Act 1894 based on the Durham rural sanitary district and covered an area around the City of Durham, which was a municipal borough....
except Brancepeth
Brancepeth
Brancepeth is a village and civil parish in County Durham, in England. It is situated about from Durham on the A690 road between Durham and Weardale. Brancepeth Castle was until 1570 the fortress of the Neville Earls of Westmorland. The castle was extensively modified and rebuilt in the 19th century...
and Sedgefield Rural District. In the 1983 boundary changes the constituency officially acquired the unambiguous City of Durham name for the first time, and its boundaries were realigned to match the new City of Durham local government district.
Current boundaries
The constituency corresponds to the former City of Durham local government district and as such includes a number of surrounding villages and suburbs as well as Durham itself, the largest of these are BrandonBrandon, County Durham
Brandon is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated a short distance to the southwest of Durham. Brandon was originally one of the seven townships within the ancient parish of Brancepeth. It grew from a sparsely populated agricultural area into a populous mining district after the...
, Coxhoe
Coxhoe
Coxhoe is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated between Bowburn and Cornforth, a few miles south of Durham.Coxhoe is also a civil parish which also includes nearby Quarrington Hill....
, Bowburn
Bowburn
Bowburn is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated about to the south-east of Durham, on the A177, between Coxhoe to the south-east, and High Shincliffe to the north-west.It is part of the Cassop-cum-Quarrington parish.- History :...
, Framwellgate Moor
Framwellgate Moor
Framwellgate Moor is a village and civil parish in County Durham, England. It is situated to the north of Durham, and is adjacent to Pity Me and Newton Hall. It has a population of 5,404....
, Sherburn
Sherburn, County Durham
Sherburn Village is situated 3.5 miles east of Durham in the north east of England. It is one of the "green villages" of County Durham.The village is located in the Sherburn division of Durham County Council and the City of Durham constituency for Westminster elections.-History:A settlement has...
and Ushaw Moor
Ushaw Moor
Ushaw Moor is an old pit village in County Durham, in England. It is situated to the west of Durham, a short distance to the south of Bearpark.-Etymology:...
. The seat extends as far west as Waterhouses
Waterhouses, County Durham
Waterhouses is a village in County Durham, in England. It is situated to the west of Durham, near Esh Winning.-Religion:Waterhouses has a public church St. Paul's. The Vicar is Fr. Michael Peers and the assistant vicar is Fr...
and as far east as Ludworth
Ludworth, County Durham
Ludworth is a pit village in County Durham, England situated between Durham and Peterlee.Ludworth has one post office, a school, a community centre and a printers. The village used to have two churches and a fish shop, most of which were destroyed in a fire...
. The seat has traditionally been dominated by Labour, with support particularly strong in those villages historically connected to County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
's mining industry. Durham is famous as an educational centre, for Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
and the feepaying preparatory school
Preparatory school (UK)
In English language usage in the former British Empire, the present-day Commonwealth, a preparatory school is an independent school preparing children up to the age of eleven or thirteen for entry into fee-paying, secondary independent schools, some of which are known as public schools...
, Chorister School
Chorister School
The Chorister School is a co-educational independent school for the 2 to 13 age range. It consists of a nursery , a pre-preparatory and preparatory day and boarding school in Durham, England...
where Tony Blair
Tony Blair
Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a former British Labour Party politician who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2 May 1997 to 27 June 2007. He was the Member of Parliament for Sedgefield from 1983 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007...
was educated. The city centre is more inclined to the Liberal Democrats. Like many other university cities such as Cambridge
Cambridge (UK Parliament constituency)
Cambridge 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 voting system....
and Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
, in the 2005 election it swung strongly towards the Liberal Democrats, one possible reason being these cities' sizeable student population who were viewed as being hostile to Labour's policies on areas such as top-up fees and the Iraq War. The Liberal Democrats were able to reduce Labour's majority by over 10,000 votes, although they were still unable to gain the seat from Labour, as was the case in the 2010 election.
Following a review of parliamentary representation in County Durham, the Boundary Commission for England has made no changes to the City of Durham constituency, which will remain co-terminous with the boundaries of the former district. The City of Durham local authority was abolished in the 2009 structural changes to local government in England
2009 structural changes to local government in England
Structural changes to local government in England were effected on 1 April 2009, whereby a number of new unitary authorities were created in parts of the country which previously operated a 'two-tier' system of counties and districts...
.
MPs 1678–1885
| Year | First member | First party | Second member | Second party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1678 | Sir Ralph Cole | John Parkhurst John Parkhurst John Parkhurst was an English Marian exile and from 1560 the Bishop of Norwich.-Early life:Born about 1512, he was son of George Parkhurst of Guildford, Surrey. He initially attended the Royal Grammar School, Guildford, before at an early age moving to Magdalen College School at Oxford... |
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| February 1679 | William Tempest William Tempest (politician) William Tempest was a Member of Parliament and a member of the Tempest family of Old Durham. The son of John Tempest and Elizabeth, the sole heiress of John Heath, he represented the City of Durham as Member of Parliament in 1678, 1680 and 1689... |
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| September 1679 | William Blakiston | Sir Richard Lloyd Richard Lloyd (Durham) -Life:He was the second son of Andrew Lloyd of Aston, Shropshire. A fellow of All Souls' College, Oxford, he proceeded B.C.L. in 1659 and D.C.L. in 1662. He was admitted to Gray's Inn at 1655, and an advocate at Doctors' Commons in 1664.... |
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| 1681 | William Tempest William Tempest (politician) William Tempest was a Member of Parliament and a member of the Tempest family of Old Durham. The son of John Tempest and Elizabeth, the sole heiress of John Heath, he represented the City of Durham as Member of Parliament in 1678, 1680 and 1689... |
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| 1685 | Charles Montagu | |||||
| 1689 | George Morland | Henry Liddell | ||||
| 1690 | William Tempest William Tempest (politician) William Tempest was a Member of Parliament and a member of the Tempest family of Old Durham. The son of John Tempest and Elizabeth, the sole heiress of John Heath, he represented the City of Durham as Member of Parliament in 1678, 1680 and 1689... |
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| 1695 | Charles Montagu | Henry Liddell | ||||
| 1698 | Thomas Conyers Thomas Conyers Thomas Conyers was an English Member of parliament for Durham City from 28 July 1698 to 1 December 1701 and from 24 July 1702 to 18 August 1727.He was a cousin of John Conyers. He founded Conyers' School, Yarm.-References:... |
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| 1701 | Sir Henry Belasyse Henry Belasyse Henry Belasyse , also known as Henry Bellasis was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England variously between 1625 and 1642.... |
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| 1702 | Thomas Conyers Thomas Conyers Thomas Conyers was an English Member of parliament for Durham City from 28 July 1698 to 1 December 1701 and from 24 July 1702 to 18 August 1727.He was a cousin of John Conyers. He founded Conyers' School, Yarm.-References:... |
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| 1708 | James Nicolson | |||||
| 1710 | Sir Henry Belasyse Henry Belasyse Henry Belasyse , also known as Henry Bellasis was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons of England variously between 1625 and 1642.... |
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| 1712 | Robert Shafto Robert Shafto (1690-1729) Robert Shafto , of Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor, County Durham, was a British politician. He was Member of Parliament for the City of Durham from 1712 to 1713 and from 1727 to 1729.-Sources:... |
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| 1713 | George Baker | |||||
| 1722 | Charles Talbot Charles Talbot, 1st Baron Talbot of Hensol Charles Talbot, 1st Baron Talbot PC was a British lawyer and politician. He was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain from 1733 to 1737.... |
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| 1727 | Robert Shafto Robert Shafto (1690-1729) Robert Shafto , of Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor, County Durham, was a British politician. He was Member of Parliament for the City of Durham from 1712 to 1713 and from 1727 to 1729.-Sources:... |
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| 1730 | John Shafto | |||||
| 1734 | Henry Lambton | |||||
| 1742 | John Tempest John Tempest, Sr. John Tempest of Sherburn and Wynyard, County Durham was a landowner and Member of Parliament.Tempest was a member of the Old Durham branch of the Tempest family, the son of John Tempest and Jane Wharton... |
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| 1761 | Ralph Gowland | |||||
| 1762 | Major General John Lambton John Lambton Major-General John Lambton of Harraton Hall, later of Lambton Castle, County Durham, was a British soldier and Member of Parliament.Lambton was the fourth son of Ralph Lambton... |
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| 1768 | John Tempest John Tempest, Jr. John Tempest was a County Durham landowner, Tory politician and Member of Parliament.-Biography:A member of the Old Durham branch of the Tempest family, Tempest was born in Sherburn, Durham, the son of John Tempest of Wynyard and Frances Shuttleworth... |
Tory | ||||
| 1787 | William Henry Lambton William Henry Lambton William Henry Lambton was a British Member of Parliament, representing the City of Durham, a role in which he was succeeded by his brother. He was the son of John Lambton, who preceded him in representing Durham in the House of Commons.... |
Whig | ||||
| 1794 | Sir Henry Vane-Tempest | Tory | ||||
| 1798 | Ralph John Lambton | Whig | ||||
| 1800 | Michael Angelo Taylor Michael Angelo Taylor Michael Angelo Taylor was an English politician.He was a son of Sir Robert Taylor , the architect, and was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, becoming a barrister at Lincoln's Inn in 1774... |
Whig | ||||
| 1802 | Richard Wharton | Tory | ||||
| 1804 | Robert Eden Duncombe Shafto Robert Eden Duncombe Shafto Robert Eden Duncombe Shafto of Whitworth Hall, Spennymoor, County Durham, was a British politician. He was Member of Parliament for the City of Durham from 1804 to 1806. He served as High Sheriff of County Durham in 1842.-Sources:... |
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| 1806 | Richard Wharton | Tory | ||||
| 1813 | George Allan | Tory | ||||
| 1818 | Michael Angelo Taylor Michael Angelo Taylor Michael Angelo Taylor was an English politician.He was a son of Sir Robert Taylor , the architect, and was educated at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, becoming a barrister at Lincoln's Inn in 1774... |
Whig | ||||
| 1820 | Sir Henry Hardinge Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge Field Marshal Henry Hardinge, 1st Viscount Hardinge, GCB, PC was a British field marshal and Governor-general of India.-Army career:... |
Tory | ||||
| 1830 | Sir Roger Gresley Sir Roger Gresley, 8th Baronet Sir Roger Gresley, 8th Baronet was an English author and Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1835 to 1837.... |
Tory | ||||
| March 1831 | William Chaytor Sir William Chaytor, 2nd Baronet Sir William Richard Carter Chaytor, 2nd Baronet was a British politician and businessman.Chaytor was the eldest son of Sir William Chaytor, 1st Baronet, by his wife Isabella, daughter of John Carter. He was Whig Member of Parliament for the City of Durham from 1831 to 1835 and, with his father, a... |
Whig | ||||
| May 1831 | Hon. Arthur Trevor | Tory | ||||
| 1832 | William Charles Harland | Whig | ||||
| 1835 | Hon. Arthur Trevor | 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... |
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| 1841 | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Whig | Robert FitzRoy Robert FitzRoy Vice-Admiral Robert FitzRoy RN achieved lasting fame as the captain of HMS Beagle during Charles Darwin's famous voyage, and as a pioneering meteorologist who made accurate weather forecasting a reality... |
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... |
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| April 1843 | The Viscount Dungannon | 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... |
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| July 1843 | John Bright John Bright John Bright , Quaker, was a British Radical and Liberal statesman, associated with Richard Cobden in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League. He was one of the greatest orators of his generation, and a strong critic of British foreign policy... |
Radical Radicals (UK) The Radicals were a parliamentary political grouping in the United Kingdom in the early to mid 19th century, who drew on earlier ideas of radicalism and helped to transform the Whigs into the Liberal Party.-Background:... /Anti-Corn Law |
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| 1847 | Henry John Spearman | Whig | ||||
| July 1852 | William Atherton William Atherton (MP) Sir William Atherton QC was a British barrister and Liberal Party politician. An advanced Liberal who favoured the secret ballot and widening of suffrage, he held a seat in the House of Commons from 1852 to 1864, and was a Law Officer of the Crown for four years.- Career :Atherton was the son of... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| December 1852 | Lord Adolphus Vane Lord Adolphus Vane-Tempest Lord Adolphus Frederick Charles William Vane-Tempest , known until 1854 as Lord Adolphus Vane, was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom.... |
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... |
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| 1853 | John Mowbray Sir John Mowbray, 1st Baronet Sir John Robert Mowbray, 1st Baronet PC , known as John Cornish until 1847, was a British Conservative politician and long-serving Member of Parliament, eventually serving as Father of the House.-Biography:... |
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... |
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| 1864 | John Henderson John Henderson (1807–1884) John Henderson was an English businessman and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1864 to 1874.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1868 | John Robert Davison John Robert Davison John Robert Davison QC was an English barrister and Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1868 to 1871.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1871 | John Lloyd Wharton John Lloyd Wharton - External links :... |
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... |
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| February 1874 | Thomas Charles Thompson Thomas Charles Thompson Thomas Charles Thompson was an English Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons briefly in 1874 and from 1880 to 1885.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| June 1874 | Farrer Herschell Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell GCB, PC, QC was Lord Chancellor of Great Britain in 1886, and again from 1892 to 1895.-Early career:... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
Sir Arthur Middleton Sir Arthur Middleton, 7th Baronet Sir Arthur Edward Middleton, M.P., 7th Baronet was a British MP.He was born Arthur Edward Monck, the son of Charles Atticus Monck of Belsay Castle, Northumberland, by his wife Laura, daughter of Sir Mathew White Ridley 3rd Bt., M.P., of Blagdon Hall, Northumberland... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1880 | Thomas Charles Thompson Thomas Charles Thompson Thomas Charles Thompson was an English Liberal politician who sat in the House of Commons briefly in 1874 and from 1880 to 1885.... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1885 United Kingdom general election, 1885 -Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:... |
Representation reduced to one member | |||||
MPs 1885–1918
| Election | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 United Kingdom general election, 1885 -Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:... |
Thomas Milvain Thomas Milvain Thomas Milvain was an English lawyer and Conservative Party politician.Milvain was the son of Henry Milvain of North Elswick Hall, Newcastle-on-Tyne and his wife Jane Davidson. Educated at Durham Grammar School and Trinity Hall, Cambridge, he was called to the bar at Middle Temple in 1869.In 1885... |
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... |
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| 1892 United Kingdom general election, 1892 The 1892 United Kingdom general election was held from 4 July to 26 July 1892. It saw the Conservatives, led by Lord Salisbury, win the greatest number of seats, but not enough for an overall majority as William Ewart Gladstone's Liberals won many more seats than in the 1886 general election... |
Matthew Fowler | Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1898 by-election | Arthur Elliot Arthur Elliot (politician) The Honourable Arthur Ralph Douglas Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound , known as Arthur Elliot, was a British journalist and Liberal Unionist politician.-Background and education:... |
Liberal Unionist | |
| 1906 United Kingdom general election, 1906 -Seats summary:-See also:*MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1906*The Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885-1918-External links:***-References:*F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987**... |
John Waller Hills John Waller Hills John Waller Hills PC DCL was a British Conservative politician.The second son of Herbert Augustus and Anna Hills of High Head Castle, Cumberland, Hills was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford.... |
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... |
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| 1910 (Jan) | Liberal Unionist | ||
| 1918 United Kingdom general election, 1918 The United Kingdom general election of 1918 was the first to be held after the Representation of the People Act 1918, which meant it was the first United Kingdom general election in which nearly all adult men and some women could vote. Polling was held on 14 December 1918, although the count did... |
Parliamentary borough abolished | ||
MPs since 1918
| Year | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1918 | John Waller Hills John Waller Hills John Waller Hills PC DCL was a British Conservative politician.The second son of Herbert Augustus and Anna Hills of High Head Castle, Cumberland, Hills was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford.... |
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... |
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| 1922 | Joshua Ritson | 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... |
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| 1931 | William McKeag William McKeag William McKeag was a British politician, soldier and solicitor. His political affiliations changed over the years from Liberal to National Liberal, back to Liberal and finally to Conservative but he never wavered from a fierce loyalty to his native North East of England and was described in his... |
Liberal Liberal Party (UK) The Liberal Party was one of the two major political parties of the United Kingdom during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was a third party of negligible importance throughout the latter half of the 20th Century, before merging with the Social Democratic Party in 1988 to form the present day... |
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| 1935 | Joshua Ritson | 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... |
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| 1945 | Charles Grey Charles Grey (politician) Charles Frederick Grey CBE was a British miner and politician; he was also an independent Methodist Minister.Grey had an elementary school education and went to work in the Durham coalfield when he left school at 14... |
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... |
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| 1970 | Mark Hughes Mark Hughes (politician) William Mark Hughes was a Labour politician.Hughes was Member of Parliament for Durham from 1970 to 1983, and the City of Durham from 1983 to 1987, when he stood down. From 1975 to 1979, he was also a Member of the European Parliament.- External links :... |
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... |
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| 1987 | Gerry Steinberg Gerry Steinberg Gerald Neil Steinberg, known as Gerry Steinberg, is a Labour Party politician in the United Kingdom. He was Member of Parliament for the City of Durham from 1987 until his retirement at the 2005 general election.-Early life:... |
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... |
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| 2005 | Roberta Blackman-Woods Roberta Blackman-Woods Professor Roberta Carol Blackman-Woods is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for the City of Durham since 2005.-Biography:... |
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... |
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Elections in the 2010s
Elections in the 2000s
Elections in the 1990s
Sources
- F W S Craig, "British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885" (2nd edition, Aldershot: Parliamentary Research Services, 1989)
- J Holladay Philbin, "Parliamentary Representation 1832 - England and Wales" (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1965)
- Michael Kinnear, "The British Voter" (London: Batsford, 1968)
- E Porritt and AG Porritt, "The Unreformed House of Commons, Vol I: England and Wales" (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1903)
- Henry Stooks Smith, The Parliaments of England from 1715 to 1847 (2nd edition, edited by FWS Craig - Chichester: Parliamentary Reference Publications, 1973)
- Robert Waller, "The Almanac of British Politics" (3rd edition, London: Croom Helm, 1987)
- Frederic A Youngs, jr, "Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol II" (London: Royal Historical SocietyRoyal Historical SocietyThe Royal Historical Society was founded in 1868. The premier society in the United Kingdom which promotes and defends the scholarly study of the past, it is based at University College London...
, 1991) - The Constitutional Yearbook, 1913" (London: National Unionist Association, 1913)