South Leicestershire
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of South Leicestershire in Leicestershire
Outline map
Location of Leicestershire within England
CountyLeicestershire
Electorate77,412 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsLutterworth, Whetstone, Braunstone Town, Narborough and Blaby
Current constituency
Created2010
Member of ParliamentAlberto Costa (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromBlaby, Harborough
1832–1885
SeatsTwo
Created fromLeicestershire
Replaced byBosworth, Harborough

South Leicestershire is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Alberto Costa, a member of the Conservative Party.

The current constituency has similar boundaries to the previous Blaby constituency. Historically the "Southern Division of Leicestershire", was a county constituency, less formally known as South Leicestershire. From 1832 to 1885 it elected two Members of Parliament (MPs) by the bloc vote system of election.

Boundaries

Map
Map of current boundaries

Historic

1832–1885: The Hundreds of Gartree (excluding the parishes of Baggrave, Burrough, Knossington, Marefield, Pickwell-cum-Leesthorpe, Ouston, and Newbold-Saucey), Sparkenhoe and Guthlaxton, and the Borough of Leicester and the Liberties thereof.[2]

Boundaries from the 2010 general election

Following its review of parliamentary representation in Leicestershire, the Boundary Commission for England recommended replacing the Blaby constituency with a new South Leicestershire seat, with some boundary changes. This change occurred for the 2010 general election.

The electoral wards used to create the new constituency are;

Proposed

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

The Blaby District wards of Millfield, Ravenhurst and Fosse, and Winstanley (comprising the community of Braunstone Town) will be transferred to the new constituency of Mid Leicestershire. The Harborough District wards of Bosworth and Fleckney will be transferred from Harborough.

Following a local government boundary review in Blaby which came into effect in May 2023,[5][6] the constituency will now comprise the following from the next general election:

Constituency profile

The current South Leicestershire is a slice of Leicestershire to the south west of Leicester, with most of the population in commuter towns and villages clustered close to Leicester itself, both in the suburb of Braunstone Town, including the large modern development of Thorpe Astley, and commuter villages like Whetstone, Blaby and Narborough. Further south it is more rural, with the largest settlement the old market town of Lutterworth. Nearby is the former site of RAF Bitteswell, since redeveloped as Magna Park, one of the largest distribution centres in Europe.[8]

The constituency name of South Leicestershire was new for 2010, but the seat was not massively changed from the old seat of Blaby. Both this and its predecessor are safe Tory seats held by the party since Blaby's creation in 1974. The best known MP to represent the area is the former Chancellor Nigel Lawson.

History

1832-1885

The constituency was created by the Reform Act 1832 for the 1832 general election, when the two-seat Leicestershire constituency was replaced by the Northern and Southern divisions, each of which elected two MPs.

Both divisions of the county were abolished by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 for the 1885 general election, when they were replaced by four new single-seat constituencies: Bosworth, Harborough, Loughborough and Melton.

Prominent members in this period included Thomas Paget (Jnr) (1807–1892) who followed the footsteps of his father in this role (his father having represented Leicestershire) and as partner in Leicester Bank, and Albert Pell, a member of a group of MPs, which included Henry Chaplin, Sir Massey Lopes and Clare Sewell Read, who supported farming interests. He was also a member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1832–1885

Election 1st Member[9] 1st Party 2nd Member[9] 2nd Party
1832 Edward Dawson Whig[10] Sir Henry Halford, Bt Tory[10]
1834 Conservative[10]
1835 Thomas Frewen Turner Conservative[10]
1836 by-election Charles Packe Conservative[10]
1857 Viscount Curzon Conservative
1867 by-election Thomas Paget Liberal Party
1868 Albert Pell Conservative Party
1870 by-election William Unwin Heygate Conservative
1880 Thomas Paget Liberal Party
1885 Redistribution of Seats Act: constituency abolished

MPs since 2010

Election Member[9] Party
2010 Andrew Robathan Conservative
2015 Alberto Costa Conservative

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Next general election: South Leicestershire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa[11]
Liberal Democrats Paul Hartshorn[12]
Green Mike Jelfs[13]
Majority
Turnout

Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: South Leicestershire[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 36,791 64.0 +2.6
Labour Tristan Koriya 12,787 22.3 -6.2
Liberal Democrats Phil Knowles 5,452 9.5 +5.3
Green Nick Cox 2,439 4.2 +2.3
Majority 24,004 41.7 +8.8
Turnout 57,469 71.4 -0.4
Conservative hold Swing +4.5
General election 2017: South Leicestershire[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 34,795 61.4 +8.2
Labour Shabbir Aslam 16,164 28.5 +6.5
Liberal Democrats Greg Webb 2,403 4.2 −3.2
UKIP Roger Helmer 2,235 3.9 −13.5
Green Mary Morgan 1,092 1.9 New
Majority 18,631 32.9 +1.7
Turnout 56,801 71.8 +1.6
Conservative hold Swing +0.8
General election 2015: South Leicestershire[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 28,700 53.2 +3.7
Labour Amanda Hack 11,876 22.0 +1.1
UKIP Barry Mahoney[8] 9,363 17.4 +13.8
Liberal Democrats Geoffrey Welsh 3,987 7.4 −13.6
Majority 16,824 31.2 +2.7
Turnout 53,926 70.2 -1.0
Conservative hold Swing
General election 2010: South Leicestershire[17][18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Robathan* 27,000 49.5 +4.1
Liberal Democrats Aladdin Ayesh 11,476 21.0 +2.0
Labour Sally Gimson 11,392 20.9 -8.8
BNP Peter Preston 2,721 5.0 +1.5
UKIP John Williams 1,988 3.6 +1.2
Majority 15,524 28.5
Turnout 54,577 71.2 +6.0
Conservative win (new seat)
* Served as an MP in the 2005–2010 Parliament

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Paget 3,685 35.7 +6.1
Conservative Albert Pell 3,453 33.5 −3.3
Conservative William Unwin Heygate 3,175 30.8 −2.8
Majority 510 4.9 N/A
Turnout 6,860 (est) 76.0 (est) +1.7
Registered electors 9,022
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +2.9
Conservative hold Swing −3.2

Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Pell 3,583 36.8 +2.9
Conservative William Unwin Heygate 3,269 33.6 −1.3
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,883 29.6 −1.6
Majority 386 4.0 +1.3
Turnout 6,309 (est) 74.3 (est) +1.9
Registered electors 8,489
Conservative hold Swing +1.9
Conservative hold Swing −0.3
By-election, 13 June 1870: South Leicestershire (1 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Unwin Heygate 3,292 56.0 −12.8
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,585 44.0 +12.8
Majority 707 12.0 +9.3
Turnout 5,877 70.7 −1.7
Registered electors 8,308
Conservative hold Swing −12.8

Elections in the 1860s

General election 1868: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe 3,196 34.9 N/A
Conservative Albert Pell 3,111 33.9 N/A
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,861 31.2 N/A
Majority 250 2.7 N/A
Turnout 6,015 (est) 72.4 (est) N/A
Registered electors 8,308
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
By-election, 30 November 1867: South Leicestershire (1 seat)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,302 50.4 New
Conservative Albert Pell 2,263 49.6 N/A
Majority 39 0.8 N/A
Turnout 4,565 72.7 N/A
Registered electors 6,283
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing N/A
General election 1865: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 6,283
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1850s

General election 1859: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,259
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
General election 1857: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,205
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
General election 1852: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,131
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1840s

General election 1847: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,448
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
General election 1841: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19][10][20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Halford 2,638 34.4 N/A
Conservative Charles Packe 2,622 34.2 N/A
Whig Thomas Gisborne 1,213 15.8 New
Whig Edward Hawkins Cheney[21] 1,196 15.6 New
Majority 1,409 18.4 N/A
Turnout 3,835 (est) 78.2 (est) N/A
Registered electors 4,903
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1830s

General election 1837: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 4,603
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
By-election, 18 February 1836: South Leicestershire[19][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election 1835: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Thomas Frewen Turner Unopposed
Registered electors 4,244
Conservative hold
Conservative gain from Whig
General election 1832: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[19][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Tory Henry Halford Unopposed
Whig Edward Dawson Unopposed
Registered electors 4,125
Tory win (new seat)
Whig win (new seat)

See also

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. ^ "The statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 2 & 3 William IV. Cap. XLV: An Act to amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales". London: His Majesty's statute and law printers. 1832. pp. 154–206. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. ^ 2010 post-revision map non-metropolitan areas and unitary authorities of England
  4. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule I Part I.
  5. ^ LGBCE. "Blaby | LGBCE". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  6. ^ "The Blaby (Electoral Changes) Order 2022".
  7. ^ "New Seat Details - Leicestershire South". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b "UK Polling Report".
  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 Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844-1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 192. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  11. ^ Alberto Costa MP [@AlbertoCostaMP] (17 March 2023). "This evening I was delighted to be reselected as the @Conservatives candidate for South Leicestershire. Hugely grateful to all at the @SLConservatives for their faith and support and I look forward to continue doing all I can for the great people of South Leicestershire" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ "South Leicestershire Liberal Democrats are delighted to announce that they have selected local campaigner, Paul Hartshorn, to be the Prospective Parliamentary candidate for South Leicestershire". South Leicestershire Lib Dems. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  13. ^ "Full list of all Green Party candidates at the next general election". Bright Green. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  14. ^ "Leicestershire South Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  15. ^ "General Election 2017: South Leicestershire". The Daily Express. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  16. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  18. ^ Election 2010: South Leicestershire, BBC News
  19. ^ 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. pp. 417–418. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
  20. ^ "South Leicestershire Election". Leicester Journal. 16 July 1841. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 16 May 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. ^ "Leicester Chronicle". 17 July 1841. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 16 May 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.

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