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City of Durham (UK Parliament constituency)

City of Durham is a constituency[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by Mary Kelly Foy of the Labour Party.[n 2]

Constituency profile

The constituency contains a large minority of students, researchers and academics at the early 19th century founded University of Durham,[n 3] that has a claim towards being the third oldest in England and has elected Labour MPs since 1935, although there have been strong SDP–Liberal Alliance and Liberal Democrat challenges to Labour since the 1980s.

The constituency corresponds to the former City of Durham local government district and as such includes a number of surrounding villages and suburbs as well as Durham itself, the largest of these are Brandon, Coxhoe, Bowburn, Framwellgate Moor, Sherburn and Ushaw Moor. The seat extends as far west as Waterhouses and as far east as Ludworth. The seat has traditionally been dominated by Labour, with support particularly strong in those villages historically connected to County Durham's mining industry. Durham is famous as an educational centre, for Durham University and the feepaying preparatory school, Chorister School where Tony Blair was educated. The city centre is more inclined to the Liberal Democrats. Like many other university cities such as Cambridge and Oxford, in the 2005 election it swung strongly towards the Liberal Democrats, one possible reason being these cities' sizeable student population who were viewed as being hostile to Labour's policies on areas such as top-up fees and the Iraq War. The Liberal Democrats were able to reduce Labour's majority by over 10,000 votes, although they were still unable to gain the seat from Labour, as was the case in the 2010 election. As reflected in throughout the country, the Liberal Democrat vote collapsed in the 2015 election.

History

The parliamentary borough (1678–1918)

The City of Durham was first given the right to return Members to Parliament by an Act of Parliament in 1673, although the first election was not held until 1678 due to drafting errors.[3] It was the last new borough but one to be enfranchised before the Great Reform Act of 1832.[4] It was the only borough in County Durham, the county also having been unrepresented until the same Act of Parliament, which created two MPs for the county and two for the city. Both constituencies were frequently referred to simply as Durham, which can make for some confusion.

The constituency as constituted in 1678 consisted only of the city of Durham itself, though this included its suburbs which were within the municipal boundary. The right to vote was held by the corporation and the freemen of the city, many of whom were not resident within the boundaries. Unlike the situation in many small rotten boroughs, the corporation had no jurisdiction over the creation of freemen: freemen were generally created by connection with companies of trade, either by apprenticeship or by birth (by being the son of an existing freeman), though the common council of the city had a power to create honorary freemen.

The creation of honorary freemen with the specific intention of swaying elections was a common abuse in a number of boroughs in the 18th century, and at the Durham election of 1762 became sufficiently controversial to force a change in the law. The election was disputed because 215 new freemen, most of them not resident in the city, had been made after the writ for the election was issued. The existing freemen petitioned against this dilution of their voting rights, the candidate who had been declared elected was unseated by the Commons committee which heard the case, and the following year an Act of Parliament was passed to prevent any honorary freeman from voting in a borough election within twelve months of their being accorded that status.

Through having a freeman franchise the electorate was comparatively numerous for the period, though comprising only a small fraction of the city's population; at the time of the Reform Act there were between 1,100 and 1,200 freemen in total, of whom 427 were resident and 558 lived within seven miles, while the total population of the borough was 9,269. The Lambton and Tempest families were influential, and were generally able to secure election, but fell far short of the sort of control common in pocket boroughs.

The city retained both its MPs under the 1832 Reform Act, with its boundaries adjusted only very slightly, although as elsewhere the franchise was reformed. The Reform Act 1867 extended the boundaries to include part of Framwellgate parish which had previously been excluded.[5] Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the borough's representation was reduced from the 1885 general election to a single MP.[6] In the boundary changes of 1918, the borough was abolished, but a division of County Durham was named after the city.

County constituency (since 1918)

From 1918, Durham City was included in a county constituency officially called The Durham Division of (County) Durham, consisting of the central part of the county.[7] In the 1983 boundary changes, the constituency officially acquired the unambiguous City of Durham name for the first time and its boundaries were realigned to match the new City of Durham local government district.

Boundaries

1918–1950

  • the Borough of Durham
  • the Urban District of Hetton
  • the Rural District of Durham except the parish of Brancepeth
  • in the Rural District of Houghton-le-Spring, the parishes of East Rainton, Great Eppleton, Little Eppleton, Moor House, Moorsley, and West Rainton.[7]

As well as absorbing the abolished parliamentary borough, the reconstituted seat included Hetton-le-Hole and surrounding rural areas, transferred from Houghton-le-Spring, and northern areas of the abolished Mid Division of Durham.

1950–1974

  • the Borough of Durham
  • the Urban Districts of Hetton and Spennymoor
  • the Rural District of Durham.[8]

Spennymoor and the parish of Brancepeth transferred in from the abolished constituency of Spennymoor. Other minor changes (the Rural District of Houghton-le-Spring had been abolished and absorbed into neighbouring local authorities).

1974–1983

  • the Borough of Durham and Framwelgate
  • the Rural District of Sedgefield and the Rural District of Durham except the parish of Brancepeth.[9]

Hetton transferred back to Houghton-le-Spring, and Spennymoor and Brancepeth now included in Durham North West. Gained the Rural District of Sedgefield from the abolished constituency of Sedgefield.

1983–2024

Map of boundaries 1997–2024
  • The City of Durham.[10][11][12]

Sedgefield returned to the re-established constituency thereof. Gained the area comprising the former Urban District of Brandon and Byshottles which had been absorbed into the District of the City of Durham, previously part of North West Durham.

2024–present

  • The County of Durham electoral districts of: Belmont; Brandon; Deerness; Durham South; Elvet and Gilesgate; Esh and Witton Gilbert; Framwellgate and Newton Hall; Neville's Cross; Sherburn; and Willington and Hunwick.[13]
Coxhoe was transferred to the new constituency of Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, offset by gains from the abolished constituency of North West Durham, including the communities of Esh and Willington.

Members of Parliament

Durham City (borough)

MPs 1678–1885

MPs 1885–1918

Matthew Fowler

Durham, Durham/City of Durham (county constituency)

MPs since 1918

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Election in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

Elections in the 1920s

Elections in the 1910s

Elections in the 1900s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1880s

Elections in the 1870s

Elections in the 1860s

Elections in the 1850s

Elections in the 1840s

Elections in the 1830s

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. ^ In the 2001 Census 14.5% of those aged 16–74 were further education students and 2.4% were students aged 16 or 17 such as at a sixth form or college.
  4. ^ Supported by the local Liberal association
  5. ^ Monck changed his surname to Middleton in 1876

References

  1. ^ "City of Durham: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  2. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North East". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Durham City | History of Parliament Online". www.histparl.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  4. ^ "Constituencies 1660–1690 | History of Parliament Online". www.histparl.ac.uk. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  5. ^ "Boundary Act 1868". p. 131.
  6. ^ "Redistribution of Seats Act 1885". p. 126.
  7. ^ a b "Representation of the People Act 1918". p. 497.
  8. ^ "Representation of the People Act 1948" (PDF). p. 93.
  9. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970" (PDF). p. 43.
  10. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983" (PDF). p. 22.
  11. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995". In the County of Durham.
  12. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007". In Durham and Darlington.
  13. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 4 North East region.
  14. ^ a b c d Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "D" (part 4)
  15. ^ On petition, Gowland's election was declared void and his opponent, Lambton, was seated in his place
  16. ^ 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 Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844–1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 99–102. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  17. ^ Wharton was unseated on petition for illegal practices during the election
  18. ^ On petition, Gresley's election was declared void and a by-election was held
  19. ^ Mosse, Richard Bartholomew (1837). The Parliamentary Guide: A Concise Biography of the Members of Both House of Parliament, Their Connexions, Etc. London: A. H. Baily & Co. p. 173. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  20. ^ Richardson, Moses Aaron (1844). The Local Historian's Table Book of Remarkable Occurrences, Historical Facts, Traditions, Legendary and Descriptive Ballads, &c., &c., Connected With the Counties of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland and Durham. Historical Division. Vol. IV. Newcastle-upon-Tyne: M. A. Richardson. p. 374. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2020.
  21. ^ Froude, James Anthony; Tulloch, John, eds. (1838). Fraser's Magazine, Volume 17. J. Fraser. p. 71. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  22. ^ Radice, Paula Kim Vandersluys (1992). "Identification, interests and influence : voting behaviour in four English constituencies in the decade after the Great Reform Act" (PDF). Durham E-Theses. Durham University. p. 318. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  23. ^ The Spectator, Volume 10. F.C. Westley. 1837. p. 628. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  24. ^ "Electoral Movements". John O'Groat Journal. 18 June 1841. p. 2. Retrieved 7 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. ^ Dungannon's election at the by-election of April 1843 was declared void on petition and a new election held
  26. ^ Dod, Charles Roger; Dod, Robert Phipps (1847). Dod's Parliamentary Companion, Volume 15. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. p. 238. Archived from the original on 4 April 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  27. ^ Ollivier, John (1848). "Alphabetical List of the House of Commons". Ollivier's Parliamentary and Political Directory for the Session 1841, 1848, Volume 1. p. 30. Archived from the original on 3 January 2022. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  28. ^ Sir William Atherton from 1861
  29. ^ "Atherton, William (1806-1864)" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  30. ^ "The Late Sir William Atherton, M.P." The Argus. 1 April 1864. p. 3. Archived from the original on 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  31. ^ Vane's election at the by-election of December 1852 was declared void on petition and a new election held
  32. ^ Henderson and Wharton were re-elected at the general election of 1874, but the election was declared void on petition, and neither stood in the ensuing by-election
  33. ^ a b "Durham (city) 1678-". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  34. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated, Notice of Poll and Situation of Polling Stations" (PDF). Durham Council. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  35. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001211
  36. ^ Collins, Terry. "DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL: Election of a Member of Parliament for City of Durham on Thursday 12 December 2019" (PDF). Durham County Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 September 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  37. ^ "Commons Briefing Paper 8749. General Election 2019: results and analysis" (PDF). London: House of Commons Library. 28 January 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  38. ^ "Durham, City of parliamentary constituency – Election 2017". BBC News. Archived from the original on 25 December 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  39. ^ "Commons Briefing Paper 7979. General Election 2017: results and analysis" (PDF) (Second ed.). House of Commons Library. 29 January 2019 [7 April 2018]. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2019.
  40. ^ "Selections today in Redditch and Exeter – Conservative Home". conservativehome.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 26 April 2018.
  41. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  42. ^ Longbottom, Colette (9 April 2015). "Statement of persons nominated, notice of poll and situation of polling stations. Election of a Member of Parliament for City of Durham Constituency" (PDF). Durham County Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 April 2015. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  43. ^ "Rebecca Coulson, Candidate for City Of Durham". conservatives.com. Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  44. ^ "Craig Martin". Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  45. ^ "County Durham Green Party". durhamgreenparty.org.uk. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
  46. ^ "John Marshall, Durham Independent Candidate". durhamindependent.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2015. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
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  48. ^ http://www.durham.gov.uk/PDFApproved/ParliamentaryElection2010_SoPN_CoD.pdf[permanent dead link]
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  52. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  53. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
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  56. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
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Sources

External links

54°46′N 1°37′W / 54.77°N 1.61°W / 54.77; -1.61