stringtranslate.com

Chelmsford (UK Parliament constituency)

Chelmsford is a constituency in Essex[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Marie Goldman of the Liberal Democrats.

History

Formally named as the Mid or Chelmsford Division of Essex, the seat was one of eight single-member divisions of Essex (later classified as county constituencies) created by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, replacing the three two member divisions of East, South and West Essex. It continued in existence, gradually being reduced in geographic size as additional seats were created in Essex, until it was briefly abolished for the 1997 general election following the Fourth Periodic Review of Westminster Constituencies, when it was abolished and replaced by parts of two new constituencies: Maldon and East Chelmsford and West Chelmsford. It was re-established for the 2010 general election as a Borough Constituency by the Fifth Periodic Review.

During its latter years, the old seat was narrowly won by a Conservative over strong Liberal Democrat performances, including their predecessor party the Liberal Party. Historically, the constituency has on occasion been referred to as 'Mid Essex', especially in the early part of the 20th Century.[3]

At its first contest in 2010, the re-established seat was closely fought by the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats, who finished less than 10% apart, with Conservative candidate Simon Burns (the former MP for West Chelmsford) being elected. Labour polled 11%, despite having been only around 100 votes behind the Liberal Democrats in West Chelmsford in 2005, and even taking second place in 2001. Labour regained second place for the 2015 and 2017 elections but were overtaken again by the Liberal Democrats in 2019.

At the 2024 general election, following the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which resulted in the constituency reducing in size, Marie Goldman of the Liberal Democrats was returned as MP for Chelmsford. Prior to Goldman's election, Chelmsford had been held by the Conservatives since for 74 years, since the 1950 general election.[4]

Boundaries and boundary changes

1885–1918

Formed from parts of the abolished West (Chelmsford), and South Divisions, (Brentwood and Billericay).

1918–1945

Gained eastern part of the Epping Division, including Chipping Ongar. The south-western corner, including Upminster, was transferred to Romford and southernmost parts, including the town of Billericay, to the South-Eastern Division.

Chelmsford in Essex, showing boundaries used from 1918 to 1945

1945–1950

Minor changes following the reorganisation of local authorities, involving the abolition of the Rural District of Billericay and the expansion of the Urban District of Brentwood.

Chelmsford in Essex, showing boundaries used from 1945 to 1950

1950–1955

Brentwood transferred to Romford.

1955–1974

The Rural District of Ongar included in the new constituency of Chigwell.

1974–1983

Northern parts of the Rural District of Chelmsford transferred to the new constituency of Braintree.

1983–1997

Gained the Boreham and Springfield ward from Braintree. Two parishes (Ingatestone and Fryerning, and Mountnessing), included in the District of Brentwood under the Local Government Act 1972, were transferred to Brentwood and Ongar. South-eastern areas, including South Woodham Ferrers, were included in the new constituency of Rochford.

For the 1997 general election the constituency was abolished. Northern and western areas forming the majority of the new constituency of West Chelmsford; eastern areas included in the new constituency of Maldon and East Chelmsford; and a small area in the south included in the constituency of Rayleigh.

Map of boundaries 2010-2024

2010–2024

Following the Boundary Commission's Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies in 2007, Parliament re-established Chelmsford as a borough constituency for the 2010 general election. For the previous three elections the constituency had been split in two halves and included more surrounding rural settlements. A majority of the electorate for this new constituency came from the previous West Chelmsford constituency. A smaller element (Great Baddow and Galleywood) came from the Maldon & East Chelmsford constituency.

The new constituency coincides with the built-up area which comprises the City of Chelmsford.

Current

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency was reduced to meet the electorate size requirements, with the transfer to Maldon of the Galleywood ward in the south of the city.[11] The 2024- seat is made up of 78.9% by area and 95.1% by population of the previous (2010-2014) seat, the remaining part going into Maldon.[12]

Members of Parliament

MPs 1885–1997

West Chelmsford, Maldon & East Chelmsford and Rayleigh prior to 1885

MPs since 2010

West Chelmsford and Maldon & East Chelmsford prior to 2010

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Elections in the 2010s

* Served in the 2005–2010 Parliament as MP for West Chelmsford

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Elections in the 1940s

General Election 1939–40:

Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

Elections in the 1930s

Elections in the 1920s

Elections in the 1910s

Elections in the 1900s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1880s

Boundary changes

See also

Notes

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

References

Specific

Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.

General
  1. ^ "Chelmsford: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  2. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – Eastern". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  3. ^ "Frederick Carne Rasch Alumnus Record". University of Cambridge Alumni Print Records. University of Cambridge. Archived from the original on 24 June 2020. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  4. ^ "Chelmsford election results: Chelmsford votes Lib Dem for first time as former Tory MP Vicky Ford defeated". EssexLive. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  5. ^ Great Britain, Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales. The public general acts. unknown library. Proprietors of the Law Journal Reports, 1884.
  6. ^ Fraser, Hugh (1918). The Representation of the people act, 1918 : with explanatory notes. University of California Libraries. London : Sweet and Maxwell.
  7. ^ a b c Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885-1972;. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN 0900178094. OCLC 539011.
  8. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970". www.legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  9. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983". www.legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 29 January 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  10. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007". www.legislation.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 20 November 2018. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  11. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule I Part 2 Eastern region.
  12. ^ "Chelmsford (13 April 2010 - 30 May 2024) - overlaps". UK Parliament election results. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Chelmsford 1885–1997". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Archived from the original on 6 September 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  14. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "C" (part 3)
  15. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF). Chelmsford City Council. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  16. ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  17. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ "Chelmsford parliamentary constituency - Election 2019". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  19. ^ "Chelmsford City Council". Retrieved 18 May 2017.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ "MEP Vicky Ford to fight for Chelmsford seat in General election". ITV. 29 April 2017. Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  21. ^ "General Election 2017 – Candidate List – (A – M)". labour.org.uk. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 8 May 2017.
  22. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Chelmsford parliamentary constituency - Election 2017". BBC News. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  24. ^ "CHELMSFORD 2015". electionresults.blogspot.co.uk. Archived from the original on 18 February 2016. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
  25. ^ "Mark Gough PPC page". UK Independence Party. Archived from the original on 6 March 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  26. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  28. ^ "UK General Election results April 1992". Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  29. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j British parliamentary election results 1885–1918
  32. ^ "Profile of To-day". Gloucester Citizen. 2 September 1899. p. 4. Retrieved 21 November 2017.

Sources

External links