Southampton Test
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Southampton Test in Hampshire
Outline map
Location of Hampshire within England
CountyHampshire
Electorate71,263 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsSouthampton
Current constituency
Created1950
Member of ParliamentAlan Whitehead (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created fromSouthampton

Southampton Test is a constituency[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 1997 by Alan Whitehead, a member of the Labour Party.[n 2]

History

The constituency was created for the 1950 general election, when the previous two-member Southampton constituency was abolished. The boundaries of the seat have changed at most of the Boundary Commissions' periodic reviews.

Horace King, after being the member in the first half of the 1950s, would later become the first Speaker of the House of Commons from the Labour Party.

Southampton Test proved to be a bellwether (mirroring the national result) from 1966 until 2010, with the exception of the minority government of Harold Wilson from February to October 1974 (see third Wilson ministry).

Whitehead for Labour performed better here than John Denham in Southampton Itchen, the other Southampton seat, which the party also held in the 2010 general election. The area from 2010 to 2015 was one of four Labour seats in South East England and since 2017 is among two of eighteen in Hampshire won by Labour candidates.[2] Whitehead was elected in 2017 with a majority of over 10,000 votes, and in 2019 over 6,000, making Southampton Test a relatively comfortable Labour seat. Whitehead has announced that he will not be standing at the next general election.[3]

Constituency profile

The seat covers the western part of the City of Southampton and is named after the River Test, one of the city's two rivers. It covers some of the leafy northern suburbs (though the northernmost Bassett Ward ceased to form part of the constituency in 1997) and the western port areas as well as the social housing estates of the western fringes. It is traditionally the marginally more affluent of the two constituencies in the city, before 2010 having a higher number of Tory representatives than its neighbour Southampton Itchen – named after the other major river. The area includes the University of Southampton, though its halls of residence fall almost entirely within Romsey and Southampton North or Southampton Itchen. Workless claimants, registered jobseekers, were in November 2012 close to but slightly below than the national average of 3.8%, at 3.4% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian, above the average for the South East seats of 2.5% but below, for example, five seats in East Kent.[4]

The seat is home to Southampton FC's football ground at St Mary's.

Boundaries

Map
Map of current boundaries

1950–1955: The County Borough of Southampton wards of All Saints, Banister, Freemantle, Millbrook, St Nicholas, Shirley, and Town; and the (civil) Parish of Millbrook (which was then in the Romsey and Stockbridge Rural District).[5]

1955–1983: The County Borough of Southampton wards of Banister, Bargate, Bassett, Coxford, Freemantle, Millbrook, Portswood, Redbridge, and Shirley.

1983–1997: The City of Southampton wards of Bassett, Coxford, Freemantle, Millbrook, Portswood, Redbridge, and Shirley.

1997–2010: The City of Southampton wards of Coxford, Freemantle, Millbrook, Portswood, Redbridge, St Luke's, and Shirley.[6]

2010–present: The City of Southampton wards of Bevois, Coxford, Freemantle, Millbrook, Portswood, Redbridge, and Shirley.

The constituency is bounded to the east by Southampton Itchen, to the north by Romsey and Southampton North and to the west by New Forest East.

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 unchanged.[7]

Following a review of local authority ward boundaries, which became effective in May 2023,[8][9] the constituency now comprises the following:

Members of Parliament

Election Member[11] Party
1950 Horace King Labour
1955 John Howard Conservative
1964 John Fletcher-Cooke Conservative
1966 Bob Mitchell Labour
1970 James Hill Conservative
October 1974 Bryan Gould Labour
1979 James Hill Conservative
1997 Alan Whitehead Labour

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Next general election: Southampton Test
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform UK John Edwards[12]
Labour Satvir Kaur[13]
Majority
Turnout
Registered electors
Swing

Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Southampton Test[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 22,256 49.5 -9.2
Conservative Steven Galton 16,043 35.7 +1.6
Liberal Democrats Joe Richards 3,449 7.7 +3.7
Brexit Party Philip Crook 1,591 3.5 New
Green Katherine Barbour 1,433 3.2 New
Independent Kev Barry 222 0.5 New
Majority 6,213 13.8 -10.8
Turnout 44,994 64.2 -2.6
Labour hold Swing -5.4
General election 2017: Southampton Test
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 27,509 58.7 +17.4
Conservative Paul Holmes 16,006 34.1 +1.6
Liberal Democrats Thomas Gravatt 1,892 4.0 -0.9
Southampton Independents Andrew Pope 816 1.7 New
Independent Keith Morrell 680 1.4 New
Majority 11,508 24.6 +15.8
Turnout 46,908 66.8 +4.7
Labour hold Swing +7.9
General election 2015: Southampton Test[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 18,017 41.3 +2.8
Conservative Jeremy Moulton 14,207 32.5 -0.5
UKIP Pearline Hingston 5,566 12.8 +8.9
Green Angela Mawle 2,568 5.9 +3.9
Liberal Democrats Adrian Ford 2,121 4.9 -17.4
Independent Chris Davis 770 1.8 New
TUSC Nick Chaffey 403 0.9 New
Majority 3,810 8.8 +3.3
Turnout 43,652 62.1 +0.7
Labour hold Swing +1.7
General election 2010: Southampton Test[17][18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 17,001 38.5 -5.7
Conservative Jeremy Moulton 14,588 33.0 +8.0
Liberal Democrats Dave Callaghan 9,865 22.3 -1.8
UKIP Pearline Hingston 1,726 3.9 +0.9
Green Chris Bluemel 881 2.0 -1.6
Majority 2,413 5.5 -11.3
Turnout 44,187 61.4 +5.4
Labour hold Swing −6.9

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Southampton Test[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 17,845 42.7 −9.8
Conservative Stephen MacLoughlin 10,827 25.9 +0.4
Liberal Democrats Steve Sollitt 10,368 24.8 +6.7
Green John Spottiswoode 1,482 3.5 New
UKIP Peter Day 1,261 3.0 +1.1
Majority 7,018 16.8 -10.2
Turnout 41,783 53.7 −2.6
Labour hold Swing −5.1
General election 2001: Southampton Test[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 21,824 52.5 -1.6
Conservative Richard Gueterbock 10,617 25.5 -2.6
Liberal Democrats John Shaw 7,522 18.1 +4.4
UKIP Garry Rankin-Moore 792 1.9 +1.5
Socialist Alliance Mark Abel 442 1.1 New
Socialist Labour Paramjit Bahia 378 0.9 New
Majority 11,207 27.0 +1.0
Turnout 41,575 56.3 -15.6
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Southampton Test[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Alan Whitehead 28,396 54.1 +11.7
Conservative James Hill 14,712 28.1 −15.3
Liberal Democrats Alan Dowden 7,171 13.7 +0.6
Referendum Peter Day 1,397 2.7 New
Legalise Cannabis Howard Marks 388 0.7 New
UKIP Anthony McCabe 219 0.4 New
Independent Paul Taylor 81 0.2 New
Natural Law John Sinel 77 0.1 New
Majority 13,684 26.0 N/A
Turnout 52,441 71.9 -5.5
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
General election 1992: Southampton Test[22][23][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Hill 24,504 43.4 −2.2
Labour Alan Whitehead 23,919 42.4 +9.1
Liberal Democrats Diana Maddock 7,391 13.1 −8.1
Green Jonathan M. Michaelis 535 0.9 New
Natural Law David Plummer 101 0.2 New
Majority 585 1.0 −11.3
Turnout 56,450 77.4 +1.0
Conservative hold Swing −5.6

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Southampton Test[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Hill 25,722 45.6 +0.4
Labour Alan Whitehead 18,768 33.3 +5.2
Liberal Vivienne Rayner 11,950 21.2 -5.5
Majority 6,954 12.3 -4.8
Turnout 56,440 76.4 +3.3
Conservative hold Swing -2.4
General election 1983: Southampton Test[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Hill 24,657 45.2
Labour Alan Whitehead 15,311 28.1
SDP Adrian Vinson 14,592 26.7
Majority 9,346 17.1
Turnout 54,560 73.1 -3.2
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Southampton Test
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Hill 27,198 46.36
Labour Bryan Gould 25,075 42.74
Liberal D. Hughes 6,393 10.90
Majority 2,123 3.62 N/A
Turnout 58,666 76.30
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
General election October 1974: Southampton Test
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Bryan Gould 22,780 42.17
Conservative James Hill 22,250 41.19
Liberal J.R. Wallis 8,994 16.65
Majority 530 0.98 N/A
Turnout 54,024 73.11
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
General election February 1974: Southampton Test
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Hill 23,742 40.88
Labour Bryan Gould 22,339 38.46
Liberal J.R. Wallis 12,000 20.66
Majority 1,403 2.42
Turnout 58,081 79.21
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Southampton Test[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Hill 24,660 47.54
Labour Bob Mitchell 22,858 44.07
Liberal Jack Wallis 4,349 8.38
Majority 1,802 3.47 N/A
Turnout 51,867 73.33
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Southampton Test[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Bob Mitchell 24,628 48.37
Conservative John Fletcher-Cooke 22,188 43.58
Liberal Graham Cleverley 4,102 8.06 New
Majority 2,440 4.79 N/A
Turnout 51,918 78.13
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
General election 1964: Southampton Test[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Fletcher-Cooke 25,700 50.34
Labour Bob Mitchell 25,352 49.66
Majority 348 0.68
Turnout 51,052 76.69
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Southampton Test[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Howard 30,176 56.31
Labour Shirley Williams 23,410 43.69
Majority 6,766 12.62
Turnout 53,586 79.88
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Southampton Test[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Howard 26,707 51.21
Labour Anthony Crosland 22,865 43.84
Liberal Stanley Little 2,583 4.95 New
Majority 3,842 7.37
Turnout 52,155 78.72
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
General election 1951: Southampton Test[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Horace King 26,430 50.44
National Liberal John Paul 25,965 49.56
Majority 465 0.88
Turnout 52,395 83.52
Labour hold Swing
General election 1950: Southampton Test[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Horace King 25,052 47.08
National Liberal P. Brembridge 23,663 45.15
Liberal Stephen Fry 3,697 7.05
Majority 1,389 1.93
Turnout 52,412 84.39
Labour win (new seat)

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A borough 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.

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. ^ "South East Results after 84 of 84". BBC News.
  3. ^ "Southampton Test Labour MP Alan Whitehead to step down". BBC News. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  4. ^ Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
  5. ^ Representation of the People Act 1948, Sch. 1.
  6. ^ The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995, SI 1995 No 1626
  7. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
  8. ^ LGBCE. "Southampton | LGBCE". lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  9. ^ "The Southampton (Electoral Changes) Order 2023".
  10. ^ "New Seat Details – Southampton Test". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  11. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "T" (part 1)
  12. ^ "Reform UK reveal candidates in city for next general election". 26 September 2023.
  13. ^ "Council leader to fight Southampton Test seat at next general election". 10 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Southampton Test Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "BBC NEWS – Election 2015 – Southampton Test". BBC News.
  17. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  18. ^ "BBC NEWS – Election 2010 – Southampton Test". BBC News.
  19. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  24. ^ This was an unusual election, where an incumbent was challenged by two people who later became MPs.
  25. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  26. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  27. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1970.
  28. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1966.
  29. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1964.
  30. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1959.
  31. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1955.
  32. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1951.
  33. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1950.

50°56′N 1°25′W / 50.933°N 1.417°W / 50.933; -1.417

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