Guildford
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Guildford in Surrey for the 2010 general election
Outline map
Location of Surrey within England
CountySurrey
Electorate77,517 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsGuildford, Cranleigh, Worplesdon
Current constituency
Created1885
Member of ParliamentAngela Richardson (Conservative)
SeatsOne
1295–1885
Seats1295–1868: Two
1868–1885: One
Type of constituencyBorough constituency

Guildford is a constituency[n 1] in Surrey represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by Angela Richardson, a Conservative.[n 2]

Constituency profile

The seat covers Guildford itself and a more rural area within the Surrey Hills AONB. The seat voted Remain in the 2016 EU referendum, and has wealthier and healthier residents than the national average.[2]

History

From the first Commons in the Model Parliament of 1295 Guildford was a parliamentary borough sending two members to Parliament until 1868[3][n 3] and one until 1885. In the latter years of sending two members a bloc vote system of elections was used. Until 1885 the electorate in the town of Guildford elected the member(s) of parliament,[4] which expanded in 1885 into a county division under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.

Early political history

The seat elected between 1868 and 2001 Conservatives. Exceptions in this period took place when the two-then-three main British parties' policies were beginning to coalesce. The first was a continuation of the centuries-old representation of Guildford by influential members of the Earl of Onslow's family, including a single member winning three widely spaced elections, before being defeated by a further member of the same family in its minor Sussex and British Indian branch, then the majority of the seat's voters were again swayed toward the Liberal landslide of the 1906 general election.

Modern political history

Successive elections in 2001 and 2005 saw marginal majorities of under 2% of the vote - in favour of a Liberal Democrat and then a Conservative. The 2015 result brought the incumbent MP a Conservative majority of more than 41%, up from 14% in 2010. The seat swung substantially to the Liberal Democrats in 2019, and is now a marginal again with a Conservative majority of just over 3,000 votes.

Boundaries

Context of 1906.
Context of 1923
Map
Map of current boundaries

1885–1918: The Boroughs of Guildford and Godalming, the Sessional Division of Farnham, and part of the Sessional Division of Guildford.

1918–1950: The Boroughs of Guildford and Godalming, the Urban District of Haslemere,[a] the Rural District of Hambledon,[a] and the Rural District of Guildford[b] except the civil parish of Pirbright.

  1. ^ a b Was part of Sessional Division of Farnham, the remainder of which formed, with Woking and most of modern Surrey Heath a new seat, named Farnham
  2. ^ This meant rural gains from Chertsey e.g. Send, Ripley, E. & W. Clandon and E. & W. Horsley

1950–1983: The Borough of Guildford, in the Rural District of Guildford the parishes of Artington, Compton, Puttenham, Shackleford, Shalford, Wanborough, and Worplesdon, and in the Rural District of Hambledon the parishes of Alfold, Bramley, Busbridge, Cranleigh, Dunsfold, Ewhurst, Hambledon, Hascombe, and Wonersh.

1983–1997: The Borough of Guildford wards of Christchurch, Friary and St Nicolas, Holy Trinity, Merrow and Burpham, Onslow, Pilgrims, Shalford, Stoke, Stoughton, Tongham, Westborough, and Worplesdon, and the District of Waverley wards of Blackheath and Wonersh, Bramley, Cranleigh East, Cranleigh West, Ewhurst, and Shamley Green.

1997–2010: As above less Tongham ward.

2010–present: The Borough of Guildford wards of Burpham, Christchurch, Friary and St Nicolas, Holy Trinity, Merrow, Onslow, Pilgrims, Shalford, Stoke, Stoughton, Westborough, and Worplesdon, and the Borough of Waverley wards of Alfold, Blackheath and Wonersh, Cranleigh East, Cranleigh Rural and Ellens Green, Cranleigh West, Ewhurst, and Shamley Green and Cranleigh North.

The seat, at greatest limits from 1885 to 1918, still comprises Guildford and nearby parts of Surrey.

Proposed

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 electorate will be reduced to bring it within the permitted range by transferring the parts in the Borough of Waverley, including Cranleigh to the newly created constituency of Godalming and Ash (except the small Ewhurst ward, which will be included in Dorking and Horley). To compensate, the wards of Clandon and Horsley, Effingham, Lovelace, and Send will become part of the constituency, moving from the former Mole Valley constituency.[6]

Members of Parliament

MPs 1295–1640

Parliament First member Second member
1377 Henry Colas
1381 Robert atte Mille
1386 John Gatyn Henry Marlborough[7]
1388 (Feb) John Bonet Robert Chesenhale[7]
1388 (Sep) John Thorne Robert Vinter[7]
1390 (Jan) Thomas Brocas Robert Vinter[7]
1390 (Nov)
1391 John Gatyn Robert Vinter[7]
1393 John Thorne Henry Colas[7]
1394
1395 John Gatyn Thomas Brocas[7]
1397 (Jan) John Gatyn John Bonet[7]
1397 (Sep) Robert Chesenhale Robert Vinter[7]
1399 John Gatyn John Bonet[7]
1401 John Gatyn Robert Hornmede[7]
1402 Robert atte Mille John Cross[7]
1404 (Jan) John Gatyn Thomas Brocas[7]
1404 (Oct)
1406 William Gregory Henry Rose[7]
1407 Robert Hull John Wharton[7]
1410
1411
1413 (Feb)
1413 (May) Ralph Wimbledon Richard Eton[7]
1414 (Apr)
1414 (Nov) William Waterman Geoffrey Mudge[7]
1415 Thomas Ingram William Weston[7]
1416 (Mar) John Hipperon Richard Eton[7]
1416 (Oct)
1417 William Walsh John Gregg[7]
1419 John Stoughton William Weston[7]
1420 Richard Woking John Wharton[7]
1421 (May) Thomas Waller John Gregg[7]
1421 (Dec) Thomas Waller Richard Woking[7]
1510-1523 No names known[8]
1529 Sir Thomas Palmer John Dale[8]
1536 ?
1539 ?William Fitzwilliam ?John Bourne[8]
1542 Sir John Baker William Fitzwilliam[8]
1545 Anthony Browne Thomas Elyot[8]
1547 Sir Anthony Browne Thomas Elyot, died
and repl. by Jan 1552 by Thomas Stoughton[8]
1553 (Mar) ?
1553 (Oct) William More William Hammond[8]
1554 (Apr) George Tadlow William Hammond[8]
1554 (Nov) Henry Polsted William More[8]
1555 Henry Polsted William More[8]
1558 Edward Popham William Hammond[8]
1559 Sir Thomas Palmer Thomas Stoughton[9]
1562–3 Thomas Bromley John Austen[9]
1571 Peter Osborne Henry Knollys[9]
1572 William More Thomas Stoughton, died
and repl. Jan 1581 by Lawrence Stoughton[9]
1584 George More Laurence Stoughton[9]
1586 George More Laurence Stoughton[9]
1588 Sir William More George More[9]
1593 George More Laurence Stoughton[9]
1597 Sir William More I Sir Robert Southwell[9]
1601 Robert More William Jackson[9]
1604 Sir George More George Austen
1614 Sir Robert More George Stoughton
1621 Sir Robert More John Murray
1624 Sir Robert More Nicholas Stoughton
1625 Sir Robert More Robert Parkhurst, jnr
1626 Richard Shilton
Shilton did not take his seat, and was replaced by Sir William Morley 		Robert Parkhurst, jnr
1628 Robert Parkhurst Poynings More
1629–1640 No Parliaments summoned

MPs 1640–1868

prior to 1868 the constituency was jointly represented by two MPs

Election 1st Member[10] 1st Party 2nd Member[10] 2nd Party
April 1640 Sir Robert Parkhurst Parliamentarian George Abbotts Parliamentarian
November 1640 Sir Robert Parkhurst Parliamentarian George Abbotts Parliamentarian
1645 Sir Robert Parkhurst Parliamentarian Nicholas Stoughton Recruiter
1648 ? ?
1653 Guildford not represented in Barebones Parliament
1654 Richard Hiller or Hillier One seat only
1656 Colonel John Hewson One seat only
1659 Carew Raleigh Robert Parkhurst
1660 Richard Onslow Arthur Onslow
1664 Thomas Dalmahoy
March 1679 Richard Onslow Whig
October 1679 Morgan Randyll
1685 Heneage Finch Tory
1689 Foot Onslow John Weston Tory
1690 Morgan Randyll
1701 Denzil Onslow Whig
1705 Robert Wroth
1708 Morgan Randyll
1710 Robert Wroth
1711 Morgan Randyll
1713 Sir Richard Onslow, Bt Whig
1714 Denzil Onslow Whig
1717 Robert Wroth
1720 Arthur Onslow Whig
1722 Thomas Brodrick
1727 Colonel Richard Onslow
1728 Henry Vincent
1734 Hon. Richard Onslow
1740 by-election Denzil Onslow
1747 Sir John Elwill, Bt Tory[11]
1760 by-election George Onslow Tory[11]
1768 Sir Fletcher Norton
1782 by-election William Norton
1784 Viscount Cranley Whig[11] Chapple Norton
1790 George Holme Sumner Tory[11]
1796 Chapple Norton Whig[11]
1806 Thomas Cranley Onslow Tory[11] George Holme Sumner [n 4] Tory[11]
March 1807 Chapple Norton Whig[11]
1812 Arthur Onslow Tory[11]
1818 William Best Whig[11]
1819 by-election Charles Baring Wall Tory[11]
1826 George Chapple Norton Whig[11]
1830 Charles Baring Wall Tory[11] George Holme Sumner Tory[11]
1831 Charles Francis Norton Whig[11] James Mangles[12] Whig[11]
1832 Charles Baring Wall Tory[11]
1834 Conservative[11]
1837 James Yorke Scarlett Conservative[11]
1841 Whig[11][13][14] Ross Donnelly Mangles Whig[15][16][11]
1847 Henry Currie Conservative
1852 James Bell Radical[16][17]
1857 William Bovill Conservative
1858 by-election Guildford Onslow Whig[18][19][20]
1859 Liberal
1866 by-election Richard Garth Conservative
1868 Representation reduced to one member

MPs since 1868

Election Member[10] Party
1868 Guildford Onslow[18] Liberal
1874 Denzil Onslow Conservative
1885 St John Brodrick Conservative
1906 Henry Cowan Liberal
Jan 1910 Edgar Horne Conservative
1922 Henry Buckingham Conservative
1931 by-election Charles Rhys Conservative
1935 Sir John Jarvis, Bt Conservative
1950 Richard Nugent Conservative
1966 David Howell Conservative
1997 Nick St Aubyn Conservative
2001 Sue Doughty Liberal Democrat
2005 Anne Milton Conservative
2019 Independent
2019 Angela Richardson Conservative

Elections

Results of the UK House of Commons seat Guildford, created in 1295, since 2001.

Elections in the 2020s

Next general election: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Angela Richardson[21]
Liberal Democrats Zöe Franklin[22]
Reform UK Dennis Saunders[23]
Majority
Turnout

Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Guildford[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Angela Richardson 26,317 44.9 ―9.7
Liberal Democrats Zöe Franklin 22,980 39.2 +15.3
Labour Anne Rouse 4,515 7.7 ―11.3
Independent Anne Milton 4,356 7.4 -47.2
Peace John Morris 483 0.8 +0.4
Majority 3,337 5.7 −25.0
Turnout 58,651 75.5 +1.8
Registered electors 77,729
Conservative hold Swing −12.5
General election 2017: Guildford[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anne Milton 30,295 54.6 ―2.5
Liberal Democrats Zöe Franklin 13,255 23.9 +8.4
Labour Howard Smith 10,545 19.0 +6.9
Green Mark Bray-Parry 1,152 2.1 ―2.6
Peace John Morris 205 0.4 0.0
Independent Semi Essessi 57 0.1 New
Majority 17,040 30.7 ―10.9
Turnout 55,509 73.7 +2.4
Conservative hold Swing ―5.5
General election 2015: Guildford[26][27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anne Milton 30,802 57.1 +3.8
Liberal Democrats Kelly-Marie Blundell 8,354 15.5 ―23.8
Labour Richard Wilson 6,534 12.1 +7.0
UKIP Harry Aldridge 4,774 8.8 +7.0
Green John Pletts 2,558 4.7 New
Guildford Greenbelt Group Susan Parker 538 1.0 New
Peace John Morris 230 0.4 ―0.1
CISTA Gerri Smyth 196 0.4 New
Majority 22,448 41.6 +27.6
Turnout 53,986 71.3 ―0.8
Conservative hold Swing +13.8
General election 2010: Guildford[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anne Milton 29,618 53.3 +9.9
Liberal Democrats Sue Doughty 21,836 39.3 ―4.0
Labour Tim Shand 2,812 5.1 ―4.8
UKIP Mazhar Manzoor 1,021 1.8 +0.6
Peace John Morris 280 0.5 +0.2
Majority 7,782 14.0 +13.3
Turnout 55,567 72.1 +5.0
Conservative hold Swing +5.5

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Guildford[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anne Milton 22,595 43.8 +2.4
Liberal Democrats Sue Doughty 22,248 43.1 +0.5
Labour Karen Landles 5,054 9.8 ―3.9
Green John Pletts 811 1.6 New
UKIP Martin Haslam 645 1.2 ―0.3
Peace John Morris 166 0.3 ―0.5
Independent Victoria Lavin 112 0.2 New
Majority 347 0.7 N/A
Turnout 51,631 68.3 +5.6
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +0.9
General election 2001: Guildford[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Sue Doughty 20,358 42.6 +8.5
Conservative Nick St Aubyn 19,820 41.4 ―1.1
Labour Joyce Still 6,558 13.7 ―3.8
UKIP Sonya Porter 736 1.5 +0.8
Peace John Morris 370 0.8 +0.3
Majority 538 1.2 N/A
Turnout 47,842 62.7 −11.9
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +4.7

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Guildford[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nick St Aubyn 24,230 42.5 ―12.8
Liberal Democrats Margaret Sharp 19,439 34.1 +1.3
Labour Joseph Burns 9,945 17.5 +6.1
Referendum James Gore 2,650 4.7 New
UKIP Robert McWhirter 400 0.7 New
Peace John Morris 294 0.5 New
Majority 4,791 8.4 ―14.1
Turnout 56,958 74.6
Conservative hold Swing ―7.05[n 5]

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: Guildford[32][33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 33,516 55.3 ―0.2
Liberal Democrats Margaret Sharp 20,112 33.1 ―0.8
Labour Howard Mann 6,781 11.2 +0.6
Natural Law Alex Law 234 0.4 New
Majority 13,404 22.2 +0.6
Turnout 60,643 78.5 +3.2
Conservative hold Swing +0.3

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Guildford[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 32,504 55.5 +0.4
SDP Margaret Sharp 19,897 33.9 +0.5
Labour Robert Wolverson 6,216 10.6 ―0.1
Majority 12,607 21.6 ―0.1
Turnout 58,617 75.3 +2.8
Conservative hold Swing ―0.1[n 6]
General election 1983: Guildford[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 30,016 55.1 ―2.2
SDP Margaret Sharp 18,192 33.4 +12.2[n 7]
Labour Keith Chesterton 5,853 10.7 ―10.5
Party of Associates with Licensees Anthony Farrell 425 0.8 New
Majority 11,824 21.7 ―14.4
Turnout 54,486 72.5 ―2.8
Conservative hold Swing ―7.2[n 8]

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 31,595 57.3 +8.1
Labour Paul Blagbrough 11,689 21.2 ―1.4
Liberal Henry Donnelly 11,673 21.2 ―7.0
Independent Rhodesian Front Peter Scott 232 0.4 New
Majority 19,906 36.1 +15.1
Turnout 55,189 75.3 +3.4
Conservative hold Swing +4.75
General election October 1974: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 25,564 49.2 +0.3
Liberal Christopher Fox 14,660 28.2 ―3.5
Labour Robert Harris 11,727 22.6 +3.2
Majority 10,904 21.0 +3.8
Turnout 51,951 71.9 ―8.5
Conservative hold Swing +1.9[n 9]
General election February 1974: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 28,152 48.9 ―6.5
Liberal Christopher Fox 18,261 31.7 +13.7
Labour Jean Crow 11,175 19.4 ―7.3
Majority 9,891 17.2 ―11.5
Turnout 57,588 80.4 +8.4
Conservative hold Swing ―10.1
General election 1970: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 27,203 55.4 +5.0
Labour Patton Smith 13,108 26.7 ―6.2
Liberal Michael Walton 8,822 18.0 +1.3
Majority 14,095 28.7 +11.2
Turnout 49,133 72.0 ―6.7
Conservative hold Swing +5.6

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Howell 24,116 50.4 ―0.5
Labour Cedric Thornberry 15,771 32.9 +4.9
Liberal John R. Buchanan 7,992 16.7 ―4.4
Majority 8,345 17.5 ―5.4
Turnout 47,879 78.7 +0.1
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Nugent 24,277 50.9 ―6.6
Labour Gwilym Emrys H Griffith 13,365 28.0 ―1.1
Liberal Christopher John N Martin 10,052 21.1 +7.7
Majority 10,912 22.9 ―5.5
Turnout 47,694 78.6 ―1.6
Conservative hold Swing ―2.8

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Nugent 27,198 57.5 −5.7
Labour George R. Bellerby 13,756 29.1 −7.7
Liberal Arthur Braybrooke 6,318 13.4 New
Majority 13,442 28.4 +2.0
Turnout 47,272 80.2 +3.8
Conservative hold Swing +1.0[n 10]
General election 1955: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Nugent 27,113 63.20 0.0
Labour George R Bellerby 15,785 36.79 0.0
Majority 11,328 26.41 0.0
Turnout 42,898 76.4 -3.2
Conservative hold Swing 0.0
General election 1951: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Nugent 27,604 63.20 +7.7
Labour Vernon Wilkinson 16,068 36.79 +2.5
Majority 11,536 26.41 +5.2
Turnout 43,672 79.6 -4.5
Conservative hold Swing +5.1
General election 1950: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Nugent 24,983 55.5 +5.5
Labour Vernon Wilkinson 15,443 34.3 +1.4
Liberal Frederick Philpott 4,552 10.12 −7.0
Majority 9540 21.21 +4.1
Turnout 44,978 84.07 +9.2
Conservative hold Swing

Boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1950 general election. From 1918 to 1950 the three parts of western Surrey are set out at the 1918 results below. The next change saw an additional seat duty carved out, to be Woking. As a result, Guildford, now oversized, shrank considerably in area and population. To the south the areas of Godalming, Elstead, Thursley, Whitley, Haslemere and Chiddingford were added to the Farnham seat. To the east Send, Ripley, Wisley, Ockham, St Martha, Albury, Shere, Clandon and Horsley were added to Dorking.[36]

These boundaries centred on the town of Guildford plus an area southwards towards Cranleigh, became, with small changes in later reviews, form the basic shape for Guildford until present.

Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Jarvis 33,091 50.0 −25.0
Labour Vernon George Wilkinson 21,789 32.93 +7.87
Liberal Joseph Gerald Curie Ruston 11,281 17.1 New
Majority 11,302 17.1 -32.8
Turnout 66,161 74.9 +5.6
Conservative hold Swing −16.4

Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Guildford[37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Jarvis 35,384 74.98
Labour FA Campbell 11,833 25.06
Majority 23,551 49.88
Turnout 47,217 69.27
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Guildford[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Charles Rhys 39,008 86.21
Labour Sidney Peck 6,242 13.79
Majority 32,766 72.42
Turnout 45,250 72.26
Conservative hold Swing
1931 Guildford by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Charles Rhys Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Guildford[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Henry Buckingham 20,550 48.3 −14.0
Liberal Somerset Stopford Brooke 15,984 37.6 +21.1
Labour Lawrence Miles Worsnop 5,996 14.1 −7.1
Majority 4,566 10.7 −30.4
Turnout 42,530 72.1 +0.8
Registered electors 58,958
Unionist hold Swing −17.6
General election 1924: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Henry Buckingham 18,273 62.3 +10.0
Labour Frank Markham 6,227 21.2 +1.7
Liberal Samuel Parnell Kerr 4,842 16.5 −11.7
Majority 12,046 41.1 +17.0
Turnout 29,342 71.3 +3.7
Registered electors 41,164
Unionist hold Swing +4.2
General election 1923: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Henry Buckingham 14,117 52.3 −18.3
Liberal Samuel Parnell Kerr 7,601 28.2 New
Labour William Bennett 5,260 19.5 −9.9
Majority 6,516 24.1 −17.1
Turnout 26,978 67.6 +2.2
Registered electors 39,931
Unionist hold Swing −4.2
General election 1922: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Henry Buckingham 18,045 70.6 −1.5
Labour William Bennett 7,514 29.4 +1.5
Majority 10,531 41.2 −3.0
Turnout 25,559 65.4 +15.4
Registered electors 39,087
Unionist hold Swing −1.5

Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Edgar Horne 13,149 72.1 +8.4
Labour William Bennett 5,078 27.9 New
Majority 8,071 44.2 +16.8
Turnout 18,227 50.0 −33.0
Registered electors 36,427
Unionist hold Swing
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

From 1885 to 1918 the west part of Surrey had been represented by two seats - in the north the seat of Chertsey, in the south that of Guildford. Boundaries were redrawn for proper apportionment in time for the 1918 general election such that the same area saw three seats - Farnham in the west, Chertsey in the north east and Guildford in the south east.

As a result, the seat lost the areas of Ash, Normandy, Seale, Frensham and Farnham, towards its west, but to the east gained the areas of Merrow, Send, Ripley, Ockham, Wisley, Clandon and Horsley from Chertsey.[40]

Horne
General election December 1910: Guildford[41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edgar Horne 8,463 63.7 −1.1
Liberal Arthur Jex Davey 4,832 36.3 +1.1
Majority 3,631 27.4 −2.2
Turnout 13,295 83.0 −6.2
Registered electors 16,020
Conservative hold Swing −1.1
Methuen
General election January 1910: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edgar Horne 9,264 64.8 +18.1
Liberal Algernon Methuen 5,033 35.2 −18.1
Majority 4,231 29.6 N/A
Turnout 14,297 89.2 +5.8
Registered electors 16,020
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +18.1

Elections in the 1900s

Cowan
General election January 1906: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Henry Cowan 6,430 53.3 +15.0
Conservative St John Brodrick 5,630 46.7 −15.0
Majority 800 6.6 N/A
Turnout 12,060 83.4 +7.9
Registered electors 14,469
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +15.0
1900 Guildford by-election[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative St John Brodrick Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election 1900: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative St John Brodrick 5,816 61.7 N/A
Liberal AW Chapman 3,609 38.3 New
Majority 2,207 23.4 N/A
Turnout 9,425 75.5 N/A
Registered electors 12,477
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1890s

General election 1895: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative St John Brodrick Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election 1892: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative St John Brodrick 5,191 58.3 N/A
Liberal George Patrick Charles Lawrence[43][44] 3,720 41.7 New
Majority 1,471 16.6 N/A
Turnout 8,911 79.2 N/A
Registered electors 11,248
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative St John Brodrick Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election 1885: Guildford[42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative St John Brodrick 4,485 54.5 −0.8
Liberal Ellis Duncombe Gosling 3,750 45.5 +0.8
Majority 735 9.0 −1.6
Turnout 8,235 82.5 −8.3
Registered electors 9,978
Conservative hold Swing −0.8

Constituency boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1885 general election. From 1868 to 1885 the west part of Surrey had been represented by two constituencies, one known as Guildford (which consisted of the town centre of Guildford and little else) and one constituency known as Surrey Western, which comprised the rest of that part of the county of Surrey. The Guildford constituency was both geographically and in size of electorate significantly smaller than the Surrey Western constituency. The 1885 to 1918 constituency boundaries saw the area of west Surrey divided into two constituencies more equal in size of population and land area. The north part of west Surrey was given the constituency name Chertsey, the south part Guildford.[45]

[46]
General election 1880: Guildford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Denzil Onslow 705 55.3 −5.7
Liberal Thomas R. Kemp [47] 571 44.7 +5.7
Majority 134 10.6 −11.4
Turnout 1,276 90.8 +6.3
Registered electors 1,406
Conservative hold Swing −5.7

Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Guildford[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Denzil Onslow 673 61.0 +12.0
Liberal Guildford Onslow[18] 430 39.0 −12.0
Majority 243 22.0 N/A
Turnout 1,103 84.5 −1.7
Registered electors 1,306
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +12.0

Elections in the 1860s

General election 1868: Guildford[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Guildford Onslow[18] 536 51.0 −12.8
Conservative Richard Garth 515 49.0 +12.8
Majority 21 2.0 +0.3
Turnout 1,051 86.2 −3.5
Registered electors 1,219
Liberal hold Swing −12.8

Constituency boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1868 election.

Prior to the 1868 general election, the constituency of Guildford was represented by two Members of Parliament. That was reduced to one from 1868 onwards.

The 1868 to 1885 constituency known as Guildford was geographically limited to an area around the current centre of Guildford town. This is in marked contrast to the various post-1885 versions of the constituency known as Guildford all of which have had a much greater geographical area. The 1868 constituency was, at its maximum, little over one mile east to west, and just over one mile north to south.[48] (Most of the area which is in the modern constituency of Guildford would in 1868 have been part of the Surrey Western Constituency, rather than the Guildford Constituency.)

By-election, 17 December 1866: Guildford[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Garth 339 53.0 +16.8
Liberal William Willmer Pocock 301 47.0 −16.8
Majority 38 6.0 −4.3
Turnout 640 96.0 +6.3
Registered electors 667
Conservative hold Swing +16.8

The 17 December 1866 by-election was caused by Bovill resigning as an MP following his appointment to judicial office, namely Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

By-election, 11 July 1866: Guildford[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Bovill 316 96.6 +60.4
Liberal Henry Lawes Long[49] 11 3.4 −60.4
Majority 305 93.2 +82.9
Turnout 327 49.0 −40.7
Registered electors 667
Conservative hold Swing +60.4

The 11 July 1866 by-election resulted from the need of Bovill to seek re-election upon his appointment as Solicitor General for England and Wales. Long withdrew from the contest before polling.[50]

General election 1865: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Guildford Onslow[18] 333 37.9 N/A
Conservative William Bovill 318 36.2 N/A
Liberal William Willmer Pocock[51] 228 25.9 N/A
Turnout 599 (est) 89.7 (est) N/A
Registered electors 667
Majority 15 1.7 N/A
Liberal hold Swing N/A
Majority 90 10.3 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1850s

Party designations for many candidates during the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s can be problematic as party ties were not as strong as those that developed, in Britain, in the late 19th century. Therefore, for the 1830s to 1850s election results, listed below, the term Liberal includes Whigs and Radicals; and the term Conservative includes Tories and Peelites, unless otherwise specified.

General election 1859: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Guildford Onslow[18] Unopposed
Conservative William Bovill Unopposed
Registered electors 677
Liberal hold
Conservative hold
By-election, 22 October 1858: Guildford[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Guildford Onslow[18] 268 52.9 +12.0
Conservative William John Evelyn[52] 239 47.1 +7.5
Majority 29 5.8 +4.5
Turnout 507 76.1 +12.0
Registered electors 666
Whig hold Swing +2.3

The 22 October 1858 by-election was caused by RD Mangles resigning as an MP following his appointment as Member of the Council of India.

General election 1857: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Ross Donnelly Mangles 349 40.9 −1.9
Conservative William Bovill 338 39.6 +11.4
Radical James Bell 167 19.6 −9.4
Turnout 427 (est) 64.1 (est) −2.6
Registered electors 666
Majority 11 1.3 −12.5
Whig hold Swing −3.8
Majority 171 20.0 N/A
Conservative gain from Radical Swing +10.4
General election 1852: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Ross Donnelly Mangles 370 42.8 +11.0
Radical James Bell 251 29.0 N/A
Conservative Thomas Lyon Thurlow[53] 244 28.2 −40.0
Turnout 433 (est) 66.7 (est) +1.6
Registered electors 648
Majority 119 13.8 +6.1
Whig hold Swing +15.5
Majority 7 0.8 N/A
Radical gain from Conservative Swing N/A

Elections in the 1840s

General election 1847: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Currie 336 44.1 +24.0
Whig Ross Donnelly Mangles 242 31.8 −26.0
Conservative Thomas Lyon Thurlow[54] 184 24.1 +2.0
Turnout 381 (est) 65.1 (est) −17.4
Registered electors 585
Majority 94 12.3 N/A
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +18.5
Majority 58 7.7 +2.2
Whig hold Swing −26.0
General election 1841: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Ross Donnelly Mangles 242 30.2 +17.0
Whig Charles Baring Wall 221 27.6 +14.4
Conservative James Yorke Scarlett 177 22.1 −9.3
Conservative Henry Currie 161 20.1 −22.0
Majority 44 5.5 N/A
Turnout 401 (est) 82.5 (est) +0.1
Registered electors 486
Whig gain from Conservative Swing +16.3
Whig gain from Conservative Swing +15.0

Elections in the 1830s

General election 1837: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Charles Baring Wall 252 42.1 +25.5
Conservative James Yorke Scarlett 188 31.4 +14.8
Whig James Mangles 159 26.5 −40.2
Majority 29 4.7 −8.2
Turnout 350 82.4 +19.5
Registered electors 425
Conservative hold Swing +22.8
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +17.5
General election 1835: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig James Mangles 299 46.4 −2.1
Conservative Charles Baring Wall 214 33.2 +4.0
Whig Robert Alfred Cloyne Austen[55] 131 20.3 −2.1
Turnout 338 62.9 −25.7
Registered electors 537
Majority 85 13.2 −6.1
Whig hold Swing −2.1
Majority 83 12.9 +6.1
Conservative hold Swing +4.1
General election 1832: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[46][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig James Mangles 299 48.5 +22.0
Tory Charles Baring Wall 180 29.2 −12.2
Whig Charles Francis Norton 138 22.4 −9.6
Turnout 303 88.6 −4.0
Registered electors 342
Majority 119 19.3 +16.4
Whig hold Swing +14.1
Majority 42 6.8 N/A
Tory gain from Whig Swing −12.3

Constituency boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1832 general election.[56]

General election 1831: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[11][57]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig Charles Francis Norton 99 32.0 +20.4
Whig James Mangles 82 26.5 +14.9
Tory George Holme Sumner 73 23.6 −8.1
Tory Charles Baring Wall 55 17.8 −27.4
Majority 9 2.9 N/A
Turnout 162 92.6 +18.6
Registered electors 175
Whig gain from Tory Swing +19.1
Whig gain from Tory Swing +16.3
General election 1830: Guildford (top 2 candidates elected)[11][57]
Party Candidate Votes %
Tory Charles Baring Wall 117 45.2
Tory George Holme Sumner 82 31.7
Whig George Chapple Norton 60 23.2
Majority 22 8.5
Turnout c. 130 c. 74.0
Registered electors c. 175
Tory hold
Tory gain from Whig

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. ^ As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.
  3. ^ To the House of Commons of England until 1708, then to the House of Commons of Great Britain until 1801, and to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom until 1885.
  4. ^ At the 1806 general election, two Tories were returned: Onslow and Sumner. However, a petition was lodged, and on 16 March 1807 Sumner's election was overturned in favour of the 3rd-placed candidate, the Whig Chapple Norton
  5. ^ Due to ward changes somewhat notional (Con-Lib Dem) swing and (Con-Lab) was higher: -9.45
  6. ^ Con to Lib
  7. ^ Notional, based on pact kept here for Liberals to field candidates, pre-merger in forming the Liberal Democrats
  8. ^ Notional Con to SDP swing, most of this swing was Lab and Lib to SDP, shown by the single party swing of -2.2%
  9. ^ Again mostly an opposite sign swing caused by a larger other two-party swing. Here: Lib to Lab
  10. ^ Theoretical Con-Lab swing but wiped out by gains from an additional opponent party, a Liberal

References

  1. ^ "Electorate Figures - Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  2. ^ Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Guildford
  3. ^ Reform Act 1867: representation reduced to one seat with effect from the 1868 general election.
  4. ^ Map Boundary Commission VisionofBritain
  5. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
  6. ^ "Guildford: New Boundaries 2023 Calculation". Electoral Calculus. 23 March 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 29 October 2011.
  10. ^ a b c Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "G" (part 2)
  11. ^ 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 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. 66–68.
  12. ^ For political affiliation see Stoke next Guildford pp57-8, 1999 edition, author Lyn Clark, publisher Phillimore.
  13. ^ "Elections Decided". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser. 10 July 1841. p. 6. Retrieved 5 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  14. ^ "Towns and Cities of England and Wales". Newcastle Journal. 10 July 1841. p. 4. Retrieved 5 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  15. ^ Kinealy, Christine (2013). "Notes". Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland: The Kindness of Strangers. London: Bloomsbury. p. 345. ISBN 978-1-4411-7660-8. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  16. ^ a b "Guildford". London Standard. 2 July 1852. p. 4. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  17. ^ "Guildford Election". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 10 July 1852. pp. 4, 7. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g For political affiliation see Guildford p180, 1982 edition, author ER Chamberlin, publisher Phillimore.
  19. ^ "News of the Week". Hertford Mercury and Reformer. 30 October 1858. p. 4. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. ^ "Town Talk". Usk Observer, Raglan Herald, and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser. 30 October 1858. p. 2. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "Angela Richardson readopted as Conservative candidate". Angela Richardson. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidates". Mark Pack. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  23. ^ "Guildford Constituency". Reform UK. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  24. ^ "Guildford Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  25. ^ "Guildford parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
  26. ^ "Guildford". Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  27. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  29. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  31. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  32. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  33. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  34. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  35. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  36. ^ For 1918 to 1950 constituency see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1917/Surrey_1917, for 1950 to 1955 constituency see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1900s/Great_Britain_Sheet2
  37. ^ "Politicsresources.net - Official Web Site ✔".
  38. ^ "Politicsresources.net - Official Web Site ✔".
  39. ^ 1918-1929 results see British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949 FWS Craig
  40. ^ See http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1917/Surrey_1917 for map of constituencies used in 1918 and compare to http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1885/Surrey_1885 for map of 1885-1918 constituencies.
  41. ^ 1885-1910 results see British Parliamentary Results 1885-1918 FWS Craig
  42. ^ a b c d e f g h Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885-1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
  43. ^ "Sir Horace Davey, Q.C., M.P., has consented to address a Liberal meeting at Guildford on Monday evening". The Morning Post. 27 September 1890. p. 5. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  44. ^ Lythgoe, Darrin. "Horace Davey". Tatham Family History. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  45. ^ For 1868 constituency boundary maps see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 For 1885 to 1918 constituency boundary map see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1885/Surrey_1885
  46. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 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.
  47. ^ "The Pollings". Huddersfield Chronicle. 3 April 1880. p. 7. Retrieved 28 November 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  48. ^ The boundary ran roughly from just west of Guildford Railway Station, to Cross Lanes in the east. See http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 for further details.
  49. ^ "The by-elections". London Evening Standard. 12 July 1866. pp. 5–6. Retrieved 15 February 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  50. ^ "Election Intelligence". Suffolk and Essex Free Press. 19 July 1866. p. 3. Retrieved 15 February 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  51. ^ "To the Electors of the Borough of Guildford". Surrey Advertiser. 22 July 1865. p. 1. Retrieved 15 February 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  52. ^ "Guildford Election". West Surrey Times. 30 October 1858. p. 1. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  53. ^ "West Surrey". Windsor and Eton Express. 24 July 1852. p. 2. Retrieved 13 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  54. ^ "Guildford Election". Sussex Advertiser. 3 August 1847. p. 3. Retrieved 5 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  55. ^ "6 January 1835". London Courier and Evening Gazette. p. 3. Retrieved 13 April 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  56. ^ See http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 for 1832 constituency boundaries.
  57. ^ a b Jenkins, Terry; Spencer, Howard. "Guildford". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 13 April 2020.

Sources

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