Lewes (UK Parliament constituency)

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Lewes
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Lewes in East Sussex
CountyEast Sussex
Electorate71,503 (December 2019)[1]
Major settlementsLewes, Newhaven, Seaford
Current constituency
Created1295
Member of ParliamentMaria Caulfield (Conservative)

Lewes is a constituency[n 1] in East Sussex represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Maria Caulfield, a Conservative.

Constituency profile[edit]

The constituency includes the town of Lewes, most of the Lewes District, including the coastal towns of Seaford and Newhaven, Polegate and Alfriston all in outer parts of the London Commuter Belt, though with a high number of people who have retired from across the country.[2] The constituency excludes the District of Lewes District wards of East Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven East, Peacehaven North, and Peacehaven West (which since 1997 have been in the Brighton, Kemptown (UK Parliament constituency), and instead includes part of neighbouring Wealden District.

Boundaries[edit]

Map
Map of current boundaries

1885–1918: The Borough of Brighton, the Sessional Divisions of Hove and Worthing, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Lewes and Steyning.

1918–1950: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Newhaven, Portslade-by-Sea, and Seaford, and the Rural Districts of Chailey, Newhaven, and Steyning East.

1950–1955: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Burgess Hill, Newhaven, and Seaford, the Rural District of Chailey, and parts of the Rural Districts of Cuckfield and Hailsham.

1955–1974: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Burgess Hill, Newhaven, and Seaford, the Rural District of Chailey, and part of the Rural District of Cuckfield.

1974–1983: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Newhaven and Seaford, the Rural District of Chailey, and part of the Rural District of Hailsham.

1983–1997: The District of Lewes, and the District of Wealden wards of Alfriston, Arlington, and East Dean.

1997–2010: The District of Lewes wards of Barcombe, Chailey, Ditchling, Hamsey, Kingston, Lewes Bridge, Lewes Castle, Lewes Priory, Newhaven Denton, Newhaven Meeching, Newhaven Valley, Newick, Ouse Valley, Plumpton, Ringmer, Seaford Central, Seaford East, Seaford North, Seaford West, and Wivelsfield.

2010–present: The District of Lewes wards of Barcombe and Hamsey, Chailey and Wivelsfield, Ditchling and Westmeston, Kingston, Lewes Bridge, Lewes Castle, Lewes Priory, Newhaven Denton and Meeching, Newhaven Valley, Newick, Ouse Valley and Ringmer, Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington and St John Without, Seaford Central, Seaford East, Seaford North, Seaford South, and Seaford West. With the District of Wealden wards of Alfriston, Arlington, East Dean, Polegate North, and Polegate South.

Proposed[edit]

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the next general election, due by January 2025, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The District of Lewes wards of: Ditchling & Westmeston; Kingston; Lewes Bridge; Lewes Castle; Lewes Priory; Newhaven North; Newhaven South; Ouse Valley & Ringmer; Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington & St. John; Seaford Central; Seaford East; Seaford North; Seaford South; Seaford West.
  • The District of Wealden wards of: Arlington; Lower Willingdon; Polegate Central; Polegate North; Polegate South & Willingdon Watermill; South Downs; Stone Cross; Upper Willingdon.[3]

Three small rural District of Lewes wards will be included in the newly created constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield, offset by the addition of parts of the District of Wealden, including the communities of Willingdon (from Eastbourne) and Stone Cross (from Bexhill and Battle).

History[edit]

The constituency of Lewes has existed since commoners were first summoned to Parliament in 1295, the Model Parliament. This is the county town, though less significant in population today, far surpassed by the City of Brighton and Hove — it has nonetheless been continuously represented since that date.

From 1874 the constituency's electorate in elections sent only Conservative MPs except between 1997 and 2015.

Members of Parliament[edit]

MPs 1295–1660[edit]

  • Constituency created 1295
Parliament First member Second member
1295 Gervasius de Wolvehope Ricardus le Palmere[4]
1297 No return[4]
1298 Gervasius de Wolvehope Williemus Serverleg[4]
1300/1 Reginaldus de Combe Rogerus Coppyng[4]
1302 Gervasius de Wolvehope Ricardus le Palmere[4]
1304/5 Galfridus de Wolvehope Walterus Nyng[4]
1307 Robertus le Bynt Walterus le Fust[4]
1309 Simon Tring Johannes Arnald[4]
1311 Simon Tring Ricardus le Hurt[4]
1313 (Jul) Willielmus de la Chapele Galfridus de Wolvehope[4]
1313 (Sep) Simon Tring Johannes Gouman[4]
1319 Willielmus Walewere Henricus de Rudham[4]
1320 Thomas atte Novene Radulphus atte Lote[4]
1322 (May) Philippus le Mareschal Thomas de Lofelde[4]
1322 (Nov) Robertus le Spicer Ricardus le Poleter[4]
1323 Willielmus Walewere Robertus le Spicer[4]
1327 No return[4]
1328 Willielmus Darnel Johannes le Bake[4]
1329/30 Walterus atte Markette Ricardus le Hurt[4]
1330 Thomas Comyn Stephanus le Boche[4]
1331/2 Thomas Comyn Johannes Scoteryld[4]
1333/4 Robertus ?[4]
1334–1347 No names known[4]
1348 Ricardus Ploket Johannes Payn[4]
1350 Willielmus Gardyner Willielmus Darnel[4]
1354 Willielmus Darnel Willielmus Gardiner[4]
1355 Willielmus Darnel Willielmus Gardiner[4]
1357/8 Robertus atte Brouke Ricardus Crompe[4]
1360 Thomas Lyndefelde Willielmus Bocher[4]
1360/1 Ricardus Ferour de Lewes Thomas Lyndefeld[4]
1362 Robertus Norton Willielmus Swon[4]
1363 Willielmus Spicer Thomas Norays[4]
1366 Willielmus Boteller Stephanus Holte[4]
1368 Robertus de York Robertus Norton[4]
1369 Robertus de York Jacobus Ferrour[4]
1371 Henricus Werkeman[4]
1372 Jacobus Ferour Thomas Norays[4]
1373 Robertus de York Stephanus Holte[4]
1376/7 Willielmus Spicer Jacobus Ferour[4]
1378 Jacobus Ferour Johannes Shereve[4]
1379/80 Robertus de York Johannes Peyntour[4]
1381 Henricus Werkeman Robertus Norton[4]
1382 Henricus Werkeman Thomas Norrys[4]
1382/3 Stephanus Holte Johannes Goderyk[4]
1383 Robertus de York Willielmus Spicer[4]
1384 Thomas Norrys Willielmus Spicer[4]
1385 Thomas Norris Stephen Holt[4]
1388 (Feb) Stephen Holt Thomas Norris[5]
1388 (Sep) Richard atte Gate Walter Gosselyn[5]
1390 (Jan)
1390 (Nov)
1391 John Bedford Thomas Norris[5]
1393 William Chepelond John Godeman[5]
1394
1395 John Maryot John Sadeler[5]
1397 (Jan) John Godeman John Plomer[5]
1397 (Sep) John Godeman John Maryot[5]
1399 William Chepelond John Maryot[5]
1401 John Mason John Maryot[5]
1402 Robert Bynt John Maryot[5]
1404 (Jan)
1404 (Oct)
1406 Roger Forster William Green[5]
1407 Roger Forster William Hyde[5]
1410
1411
1413 (Feb)
1413 (May) Andrew Blake John Maryot[5]
1414 (Apr)
1414 (Nov) John Hert Robert Lytcombe[5]
1415
1416 (Mar) William Chepelond William Northampton[5]
1416 (Oct)
1417 John Gosselyn John Parker[5]
1419 Andrew Blake William Fagger[5]
1420 John Gosselyn Thomas White[5]
1421 (May) William Fagger William Northampton[5]
1421 (Dec) Thomas White William Wodefold[5]
1422 William Vaggere Andreas Mauffay[4]
1423 William Wodefold Andreas Mafay[4]
1425 William Fagger John Gosselyn[4]
1425/6 William Penbrugge William Feret[4]
1427 John Godeman Roger Forster[4]
1429 Thomas White John Gosselyn[4]
1430/1 John Rodys Richard Brasier[4]
1432 Thomas White William Penbrygge[4]
1433 John Rodys William Penbrygge[4]
1435 Thomas White John Wody[4]
1436/7 William Thwaytes John Hanmere[4]
1441/2 Edward Mylle Giles Wodefold[4]
1446/7 Robert Wodefold Thomas Best[4]
1448/9 (Feb) Giles Wodefold William Godeman[4]
1449 (Nov) John Southwell William Delve[4]
1450 John Southwell John Beckwith[4]
1452/3 John Parker John Southwell[4]
1459 Richard Fairegoo Thomas Sherman[4]
1460 John Beckwith Thomas Best[4]
1467 Thomas Lewknor John Sherman[4]
1472 Christopher Furnes William Cook[4]
1477/8 William Cooke John Baker[4]
1510–1523 No names known[6]
1529 Sir Edward Bray John Batenore[6]
1536 ?
1539 ?
1542 John Kyme ?[6]
1545 ?
1547 Sir Walter Mildmay Sir Anthony Cooke[6]
1553 (Mar) John Southcote Thomas Gravesend[6]
1553 (Oct) Sir Henry Hussey George Darrell[6]
1554 (Apr) Robert Gage George Darrell[6]
1554 (Nov) John Stempe John Morley[6]
1555 William Devenish Thomas Gravesend[6]
1558 John Gage William Peterson[6]
1558/9 George Goring I Thomas Saunder[7]
1562/3 George Goring I William Cantrell[7]
1571 William Morley Edward Fenner[7]
1572 Edward Bellingham John Shirley[7]
1584 Richard Browne Thomas Pelham[7]
1586 Richard Browne Francis Alford[7]
1588 Robert Sackville John Shirley[7]
1593 Sir Henry Glemham George Goring II[7]
1597 Sir Henry Glemham John Shirley[7]
1601 George Goring II Goddard Pemberton, sat for Peterborough
and replaced by
Sir Percival Hart[7]
1604 John Shirley Sir Henry Nevill
1614 Christopher Neville Richard Amhurst
1621 Sir George Goring Richard Amhurst
1624 Sir George Goring Christopher Neville
1625 Sir George Goring Sir George Rivers
1626 Sir George Goring Sir George Rivers
Feb 1628 Anthony Stapley Sir George Goring
Jul 1628 Anthony Stapley Jerome Weston
1629–1640 No Parliaments summoned
1640 (Apr) Anthony Stapley, sat for Sussex
replaced by
Herbert Morley[8]
James Rivers
1641 Herbert Morley Henry Shelley
1645 Herbert Morley Henry Shelley
1648 Herbert Morley Henry Shelley
1653 Lewes not represented in Barebones Parliament
1654 Henry Shelley (one seat only)
1656 Anthony Stapley (one seat only)
1659 Herbert Morley Richard Boughton

MPs 1660–1868[edit]

Election 1st Member[9] 1st Party 2nd Member[9] 2nd Party
1660 Nizel Rivers Sir John Stapley
1661 Sir Thomas Woodcock
Feb 1679 William Morley Richard Bridger
Aug 1679 Thomas Pelham
1695 Henry Pelham
Jan 1701 Sir Thomas Trevor
Nov 1701 Henry Pelham
Jul 1702 Richard Payne
Nov 1702 Sir Nicholas Pelham
1705 Thomas Pelham
May 1708 Peter Gott
Dec 1708 Samuel Gott
1710 Peter Gott
1712 John Morley Trevor
1719 Philip Yorke
1722 Henry Pelham
1726 Sir Nicholas Pelham
1727 Thomas Pelham
1738 John Trevor
1741 Thomas Pelham
1743 Sir John Shelley Sir Francis Poole
1747 Thomas Sergison
1763 William Plumer
1766 Lord Edward Bentinck
1768 Thomas Hampden Whig Thomas Hay
1774 Sir Thomas Miller, Bt
1780 Henry Pelham Thomas Kemp
1796 John Cressett-Pelham
1802 Henry Shelley Tory[10] Lord Francis Osborne Tory[10]
1806 Thomas Kemp Whig[10]
1811 Thomas Read Kemp Whig[10]
1812 Sir George Shiffner Tory[10]
1816 John Shelley Tory[10]
1826 Thomas Read Kemp Whig[10]
1831 Sir Charles Blunt, Bt Whig[10][11][12]
1837 Henry FitzRoy Conservative[10][11]
1840 Viscount Cantelupe Conservative[10]
1841 Summers Harford Radical[13][14] Sir Howard Elphinstone Radical[13][15][16][17][18][19]
1842 Henry FitzRoy Conservative
1847 Peelite[20][21][22][23][24] Robert Perfect Whig[25][26]
1852 Henry Brand Whig[20]
1859 Liberal Liberal
1860 John Blencowe Liberal
1865 Lord Pelham Liberal
1868 Representation reduced to one

MPs since 1868[edit]

Election Member[9] Party
1868 Walter Pelham Liberal
1874 William Christie Conservative
1885 Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher Conservative
1910 by-election William Campion Conservative
1924 by-election Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish Conservative
1931 John Loder Conservative
1936 by-election Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish Conservative
1945 Tufton Victor Hamilton Beamish Conservative
Feb 1974 Tim Rathbone Conservative
1997 Norman Baker Liberal Democrat
2015 Maria Caulfield Conservative

Elections since 1918[edit]

Elections in the 2020s[edit]

Next general election: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats James MacCleary[27]
Green Emily O'Brien[28]
Labour Danny Sweeney[29]
Majority
Turnout

Elections in the 2010s[edit]

Results of UK House of Commons seat Lewes, from 2005 to 2017.
General election 2019: Lewes[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Maria Caulfield 26,268 47.9 −1.6
Liberal Democrats Oli Henman 23,811 43.4 +4.1
Labour Kate Chappell 3,206 5.8 −5.4
Green Johnny Denis 1,453 2.6 New
Independent Paul Cragg 113 0.2 New
Majority 2,457 4.5 −5.7
Turnout 54,851 76.7 +0.3
Conservative hold Swing −2.8
General election 2017: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Maria Caulfield 26,820 49.5 +11.5
Liberal Democrats Kelly-Marie Blundell 21,312 39.3 +3.4
Labour Daniel Chapman 6,060 11.2 +1.3
Majority 5,508 10.2 +8.1
Turnout 54,328 76.4 +3.7
Conservative hold Swing +4.0
General election 2015: Lewes[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Maria Caulfield 19,206 38.0 +1.3
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 18,123 35.9 −16.1
UKIP Ray Finch 5,427 10.7 +7.3
Labour Lloyd Russell-Moyle 5,000 9.9 +4.9
Green Alfie Stirling 2,784 5.5 +4.0
Majority 1,083 2.1 N/A
Turnout 50,540 72.7 −0.2
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +8.7
General election 2010: Lewes[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 26,048 52.0 −0.5
Conservative Jason Sugarman 18,401 36.7 +2.1
Labour Hratche Koundarjian 2,508 5.0 −4.3
UKIP Peter Charlton 1,728 3.4 +1.2
Green Susan Murray 729 1.5 −0.8
BNP David Lloyd 594 1.2 New
Independent Ondrej Soucek 80 0.2 New
Majority 7,647 15.3 −2.9
Turnout 50,088 72.9 +3.1
Liberal Democrats hold Swing −0.8

Elections in the 2000s[edit]

General election 2005: Lewes[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 24,376 52.4 −3.9
Conservative Rory Love 15,902 34.2 −0.7
Labour Richard Black 4,169 9.0 +1.7
Green Susan Murray 1,071 2.3 New
UKIP John Petley 1,034 2.2 +0.8
Majority 8,474 18.2 -3.2
Turnout 46,552 69.4 +0.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing −1.6
General election 2001: Lewes[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 25,588 56.3 +13.1
Conservative Simon Sinnatt 15,878 34.9 −5.7
Labour Paul Richards 3,317 7.3 −3.3
UKIP John Harvey 650 1.4 +0.9
Majority 9,710 21.4 +18.8
Turnout 45,433 68.5 −7.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s[edit]

General election 1997: Lewes[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 21,250 43.2 +4.1
Conservative Tim Rathbone 19,950 40.6 −10.8
Labour Mark Patton 5,232 10.6 +2.4
Referendum Lucille Butler 2,481 5.0 New
UKIP John Harvey 256 0.5 New
Majority 1,300 2.6 N/A
Turnout 49,169 76.4 -5.4
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

This constituency underwent boundary changes between the 1992 and 1997 general elections and thus change in share of vote is based on a notional calculation.

General election 1992: Lewes[36][37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 33,042 54.6 −2.2
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 20,867 34.5 +1.8
Labour Alison Chapman 5,758 9.5 +0.7
Green A. E. Beaumont 719 1.2 −0.5
Natural Law N. F. Clinch 87 0.2 New
Majority 12,175 20.1 −4.0
Turnout 60,473 81.8 +4.8
Conservative hold Swing −2.0

Elections in the 1980s[edit]

General election 1987: Lewes[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 32,016 56.8 −1.6
Alliance David Bellotti 18,396 32.7 +2.0
Labour Ralph Taylor 4,973 8.8 +0.3
Green Andrew Sherwood 970 1.7 −0.7
Majority 13,620 24.1 -3.6
Turnout 56,355 77.0 +2.7
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1983: Lewes[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 29,261 58.4
Alliance David Bellotti 15,357 30.7
Labour Debbie Sander 4,244 8.5
Ecology Reginald Mutter 1,221 2.4 New
Majority 13,904 27.7
Turnout 50,083 74.3
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s[edit]

General election 1979: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 33,992 58.42
Liberal G. Hook 12,279 21.10
Labour Tom Forrester 11,152 19.17
National Front B. Webb 764 1.31 New
Majority 21,713 37.32
Turnout 58,187 76.32
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 27,588 51.87
Liberal G. Hook 13,741 25.84
Labour Co-op James Little 11,857 22.29
Majority 13,847 26.03
Turnout 53,186 73.81
Conservative hold Swing

New constituency boundaries.

General election February 1974: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 30,423 52.94
Liberal Malcolm Holt 16,166 28.13
Labour Co-op James Little 10,875 18.92
Majority 14,257 24.81
Turnout 57,464 80.30
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 33,592 58.34
Labour Quintin Barry 14,904 25.88
Liberal Malcolm Holt 9,083 15.77
Majority 18,688 32.46
Turnout 57,579 72.79
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s[edit]

General election 1966: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 27,529 53.44
Labour Roy Ellison Manley 14,561 28.32
Liberal Gerald Arthur Dowden 9,328 18.14
Majority 12,968 25.12
Turnout 51,418 76.27
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 26,818 55.30
Labour Reginald Edgar Fitch 12,757 26.30
Liberal Gerald Arthur Dowden 8,924 18.40 New
Majority 14,061 29.00
Turnout 48,499 76.43
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s[edit]

General election 1959: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 29,642 69.41
Labour William Reay 13,065 30.59
Majority 16,577 38.82
Turnout 42,707 75.80
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 24,938 66.80
Labour John Lloyd-Eley 12,392 33.20
Majority 12,546 33.60
Turnout 37,330 74.83
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 34,345 66.78
Labour Albert William Briggs 17,082 33.22
Majority 17,263 33.56
Turnout 51,478 78.26
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 30,430 58.50
Labour Albert William Briggs 15,023 28.88
Liberal Florinda Kingdon-Ward 6,565 12.62
Majority 15,407 29.62
Turnout 52,018 80.99
Conservative hold Swing

Election in the 1940s[edit]

General election 1945: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 26,176 51.26
Labour Co-op Albert Oram 18,511 36.25
Liberal Peter Cadogan 6,374 12.48 New
Majority 7,665 15.01
Turnout 51,061 71.87
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1930s[edit]

1936 Lewes by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish 14,646 65.96
Labour Alban Gordon 7,557 34.04
Majority 7,089 31.92
Turnout 22,203
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1935: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Loder 24,644 70.01
Labour Frank Rivers Hancock 10,559 29.99
Majority 14,085 40.02
Turnout 35,203 64.41
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Lewes
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Loder 25,181 81.29
Labour Frank Rivers Hancock 5,795 18.71
Majority 19,386 62.58
Turnout 30,976 70.87
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s[edit]

General election 1929: Lewes [40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Tufton Beamish 15,230 53.7 −19.0
Labour Alban Gordon 7,698 27.1 −0.2
Liberal Henry Plunket Woodgate 5,452 19.2 New
Majority 7,532 26.6 −18.8
Turnout 28,380 70.4 +5.7
Registered electors 40,291
Unionist hold Swing −9.4
General election 1924: Lewes [40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Tufton Beamish 13,399 72.7 +13.1
Labour Basil Hall 5,043 27.3 −13.1
Majority 8,356 45.4 +26.2
Turnout 18,442 64.7 +6.6
Registered electors 28,517
Unionist hold Swing +13.1
1924 Lewes by-election[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Tufton Beamish 9,584 52.0 −7.6
Labour Basil Hall 6,112 33.2 −7.2
Liberal Howard Williams 2,718 14.8 New
Majority 3,472 18.8 −0.4
Turnout 18,414 67.3 +9.2
Registered electors 27,361
Unionist hold Swing −0.2
General election 1923: Lewes[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist William Campion 9,474 59.6 −8.4
Labour Basil Hall 6,422 40.4 +8.4
Majority 3,052 19.2 −16.8
Turnout 15,896 58.1 −6.5
Registered electors 27,361
Unionist hold Swing −8.4
General election 1922: Lewes [40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist William Campion 11,345 68.0 +5.2
Labour Hugh Millier Black 5,328 32.0 −1.6
Majority 6,017 36.0 +6.8
Turnout 16,673 64.6 +9.5
Registered electors 25,801
Unionist hold Swing +3.4

Elections in the 1910s[edit]

General election 1918: Lewes [40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist William Campion 7,792 62.8 N/A
Labour Tom Pargeter 4,164 33.6 New
Independent and Silver Badge Albert Edward Gardiner 452 3.6 New
Majority 3,628 29.2 N/A
Turnout 12,408 55.1 N/A
Registered electors 22,500
Unionist hold Swing N/A
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Election results 1868–1918[edit]

Elections in the 1860s[edit]

General election 1868: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Walter Pelham 601 50.6 −4.7
Conservative William Christie 587 49.4 +4.7
Majority 14 1.2 −1.5
Turnout 1,188 88.0 +1.2
Registered electors 1,350
Liberal hold Swing −4.7

Elections in the 1870s[edit]

General election 1874: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Christie 772 60.7 +11.3
Liberal Arthur Cohen 500 39.3 −11.3
Majority 272 21.4 N/A
Turnout 1,272 89.0 +1.0
Registered electors 1,430
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +11.3

Elections in the 1880s[edit]

General election 1880: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Christie 717 55.3 −5.4
Liberal William Codrington 580 44.7 +5.4
Majority 137 10.6 −10.8
Turnout 1,297 88.9 −0.1
Registered electors 1,459
Conservative hold Swing −5.4
General election 1885: Lewes [42][43][44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 5,312 62.5 +7.2
Liberal William Egerton Hubbard 3,181 37.5 −7.2
Majority 2,131 25.0 +14.4
Turnout 8,493 80.2 −8.7
Registered electors 10,586
Conservative hold Swing +7.2
General election 1886: Lewes [42][43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1890s[edit]

General election 1892: Lewes [42][43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 5,621 70.8 N/A
Liberal Henry Prince 2,322 29.2 New
Majority 3,299 41.6 N/A
Turnout 7,943 67.1 N/A
Registered electors 11,832
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General election 1895: Lewes [42][43][45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1900s[edit]

General election 1900: Lewes [42][43][45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher Unopposed
Conservative hold
Morison
General election 1906: Lewes [42][43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 7,172 56.8 N/A
Liberal Hector Morison 5,458 43.2 New
Majority 1,714 13.6 N/A
Turnout 12,630 81.2 N/A
Registered electors 15,560
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1910s[edit]

General election January 1910: Lewes [42][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 9,168 66.7 +9.9
Liberal Basil Williams 4,572 33.3 -9.9
Majority 4,596 33.4 +19.8
Turnout 13,740 79.5 −1.7
Registered electors 17,277
Conservative hold Swing +9.9
1910 Lewes by-election[42][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Campion Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election December 1910: Lewes [42][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Campion Unopposed
Conservative hold

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;

Election results 1832–1868[edit]

Elections in the 1830s[edit]

General election 1832: Lewes [10][41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Thomas Read Kemp Unopposed
Whig Charles Blunt Unopposed
Registered electors 878
Whig hold
Whig hold
General election 1835: Lewes [10][41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Charles Blunt 511 40.8
Whig Thomas Read Kemp 382 30.5
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 359 28.7
Majority 23 1.8
Turnout 715 94.0
Registered electors 761
Whig hold
Whig hold

Kemp resigned, causing a by-election.

By-election, 21 April 1837: Lewes [10][41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 397 51.7 +23.0
Whig John Easthope 371 48.3 −23.0
Majority 26 3.4 N/A
Turnout 768 91.2 −2.8
Registered electors 7842
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +23.0
General election 1837: Lewes [10][41][47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Charles Blunt 413 26.6 −14.2
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 401 25.8 +11.5
Whig Thomas Brand 398 25.6 −4.9
Conservative William Lyon 343 22.1 +7.8
Turnout 788 93.6 −0.4
Registered electors 842
Majority 12 0.8 −1.0
Whig hold Swing −11.9
Majority 3 0.2 N/A
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +10.5

Elections in the 1840s[edit]

Blunt's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 9 March 1840: Lewes [10][41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George West Unopposed
Registered electors 881
Conservative gain from Whig
General election 1841: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Radical Summers Harford 411 25.4 N/A
Radical Howard Elphinstone 409 25.3 N/A
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 407 25.2 −0.6
Conservative George West 388 24.0 +1.9
Majority 2 0.1 N/A
Turnout 810 91.9 −1.7
Registered electors 881
Radical gain from Whig Swing
Radical gain from Conservative Swing

On petition, Harford was unseated, due to bribery and corruption,[48] and Fitzroy was declared elected on 21 March 1842. Fitzroy was then appointed a Civil Lord of the Admiralty, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 17 February 1845: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Conservative gain from Radical

Elphinstone resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.

By-election, 17 March 1847: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Robert Perfect Unopposed
Whig gain from Radical
General election 1847: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Peelite Henry FitzRoy 457 37.8 +12.6
Whig Robert Perfect 402 33.3 N/A
Conservative John Bellingham Godfrey Hudson[49] 207 17.1 N/A
Conservative Henry Loftus 143 11.8 -12.2
Turnout 605 (est) 69.8 (est) −22.1
Registered electors 866
Majority 55 4.5 N/A
Peelite gain from Radical Swing
Majority 195 16.2 N/A
Whig gain from Radical Swing

Elections in the 1850s[edit]

General election 1852: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Henry Brand Unopposed
Peelite Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Registered electors 713
Whig hold
Peelite hold

Brand was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 5 April 1855: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Henry Brand Unopposed
Whig hold
General election 1857: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Henry Brand Unopposed
Peelite Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Registered electors 724
Whig hold
Peelite hold
General election 1859: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry FitzRoy 339 31.8 N/A
Liberal Henry Brand 338 31.7 N/A
Conservative Richard Amphlett 200 18.8 N/A
Conservative Charles Blunt 189 17.7 N/A
Majority 138 12.9 N/A
Turnout 533 (est) 76.5 (est) N/A
Registered electors 697
Liberal hold Swing N/A
Liberal hold Swing N/A

FitzRoy was appointed First Commissioner of Works and Public Buildings, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 27 June 1859: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Liberal hold

Elections in the 1860s[edit]

FitzRoy's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 16 January 1860: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Blencowe Unopposed
Liberal hold
General election 1865: Lewes [41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry Brand 325 27.7 −4.1
Liberal Walter Pelham 324 27.6 −4.1
Conservative William Christie 292 24.9 +6.1
Conservative Sir Alfred Slade, 3rd Baronet 232 19.8 +2.1
Majority 32 2.7 −10.2
Turnout 587 (est) 86.8 (est) +10.3
Registered electors 676
Liberal hold Swing −4.1
Liberal hold Swing −4.1

Elections before 1832[edit]

General election 1831: Lewes [10][50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Thomas Read Kemp Unopposed
Whig Charles Blunt Unopposed
Registered electors 784
Whig hold
Whig gain from Tory
General election 1830: Lewes [10][50]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Thomas Read Kemp 479 42.6
Tory John Shelley 372 33.1
Whig Alexander Donovan 274 24.4
Turnout 626 c. 79.8
Registered electors c. 784
Majority 107 9.5
Whig hold Swing
Majority 98 8.7
Tory hold Swing

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Election history of Lewes". members.parliament.uk. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  2. ^ "Local statistics - Office for National Statistics". neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk.
  3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq "Lewes Parliament 1295–1885" (PDF). Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
  8. ^ Archives, The National. "The Discovery Service".
  9. ^ a b c Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "L" (part 2)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Stooks Smith, Henry (1845). The Parliaments of England, from 1st George I., to the Present Time. Vol II: Oxfordshire to Wales Inclusive. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. pp. 85–87. Retrieved 20 November 2018 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ a b Mosse, Richard Bartholomew (1837). The Parliamentary Guide: a concise history of the Members of both Houses, etc. London: A. H. Baily & Co. p. 164. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  12. ^ Churton, Edward (1838). The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1838. pp. 34–35. Retrieved 20 November 2018 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ a b "General Election". Morning Post. 26 June 1841. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "UK Parliamentary Elections 1832–1895". Brighton History. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  15. ^ "Arguments for the Ballot". The Examiner. 23 December 1832. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  16. ^ Fisher, David R. (2009). "Hastings". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  17. ^ "The Approaching Revolution". The Royal lady's magazine, and archives of the court of St. James's. Horticultural Journal. 1831. p. 283. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  18. ^ Dod, Charles Roger; Dod, Robert Phipps (1847). Dod's Parliamentary Companion, Volume 15. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. p. 176. Retrieved 15 April 2018.
  19. ^ The Spectator, Volume 7. F. C. Westley. 1834. p. 316. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  20. ^ a b "Election Intelligence". The Observer. 22 March 1852. p. 6. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  21. ^ "The Elections". London Daily News. 7 July 1852. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  22. ^ "Lewes". Evening Mail. 7 July 1852. p. 5. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  23. ^ "Members Returned to Serve in the New Parliament". Sheffield Independent. 10 July 1852. p. 6. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  24. ^ "Lewes". Morning Advertiser. 30 July 1847. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. ^ "Political Notabilia". Gloucestershire Chronicle. 20 March 1847. p. 4. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  26. ^ "Provincial News". Sheffield Independent. 27 March 1847. p. 3. Retrieved 17 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  27. ^ "Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidates". Mark Pack. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  28. ^ "Full list of all Green Party candidates at the next general election". Bright Green. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  29. ^ Lewes Labour Party [@LewesLabour] (9 April 2024). "Announcing @LewesLabour's Parliamentary Candidate for the General Election, Danny Sweeney. More, a lot more, to come" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  30. ^ "Lewes Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 26 November 2019.
  31. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  32. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  33. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  34. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  35. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  36. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  37. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  38. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  39. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  40. ^ a b c d e f Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (e-book) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.[page needed]
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h i British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig
  43. ^ a b c d e f The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  44. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
  45. ^ a b Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
  46. ^ a b c Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
  47. ^ "Elections Fixed". London Courier and Evening Gazette. 25 July 1837. p. 3. Retrieved 16 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  48. ^ "Election Petitions". The Examiner. 19 March 1842. p. 7. Retrieved 20 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  49. ^ "Sussex Provincial News". Sussex Advertiser. 3 August 1847. pp. 7–8. Retrieved 20 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  50. ^ a b Jenkins, Terry; Spencer, Howard. "Lewes". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 16 April 2020.

Sources[edit]

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