Isle of Wight (UK Parliament constituency)

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Coordinates: 50°41′02″N 1°19′12″W / 50.684°N 1.320°W / 50.684; -1.320

Isle of Wight
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Location of Isle of Wight within England.
County Isle of Wight
Electorate 110,924 (December 2010)[1]
Current constituency
Created 1832 (1832)
Member of Parliament Andrew Turner (Conservative)
Number of members One
Created from Hampshire
Newtown
Yarmouth
Overlaps
European Parliament constituency South East England

Isle of Wight is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Created by the Great Reform Act for the 1832 general election, it covers the whole of the Isle of Wight and elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post voting system.

Contents

[edit] Boundaries

The Isle of Wight forms a single constituency of the House of Commons. The constituency covers exactly the same land area as the ceremonial county of the Isle of Wight, and the area administered by the unitary authority, Isle of Wight Council.

With an electorate of 110,924 (as of 2010),[2] the constituency has by far the largest electorate in the UK, more than 50% above the England average of 71,537.[2] This is five times the size of the smallest electorate (Na h-Eileanan an Iar, formerly known as the Western Isles), despite the Isle of Wight having some of the same problems as an island constituency.[3] Successive Boundary Commissions have considered the possibility of splitting the island into two constituencies (or possibly having a constituency crossing the Solent onto the mainland) but with a distinct lack of local enthusiasm for either option it was felt that the island would be better represented by a single MP. One repeated problem has been the difficulty of dividing the island in two in a way that would be acceptable to all interests.[4]

[edit] Proposed division

Section 11, Clause 6(1) of the Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 states; "There shall be two constituencies in the Isle of Wight.".[5] This ensures the Boundary Commission for England will be unable to attach the Isle with Hampshire or other counties across the Solent. Therefore, from the Next United Kingdom general election the island will be divided into two seats, each containing an electorate far below that of Parliamentary seats on the mainland.

By virtue of the Sixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the Boundary Commission has proposed a north/south split. "Isle of Wight North", as proposed, covers Newport, Cowes, East Cowes and Ryde. "Isle of Wight South", unless amended, would incorporate the remainder of the Island, running the length of the Island from Totland in the West to Bembridge in the East, covering the major settlements of Yarmouth, Ventnor, Sandown, Shaklin and Brading. [6]

[edit] History

Before the Reform Act 1832 the island usually had three Parliamentary boroughs: Newport, Newtown, and Yarmouth, each electing two MPs. In 1654 an Isle of Wight constituency was created for the First Protectorate Parliament but the island subsequently reverted to the three constituencies. Otherwise, the island was represented by the two members for Hampshire. The Reform Act abolished Newtown and Yarmouth parliamentary boroughs, and created a county constituency for the whole of the Isle of Wight. The county electorate included freeholders, qualified by property, in the remaining parliamentary borough. The separate Newport borough constituency was abolished in 1885.

The constituency has traditionally been a battleground between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. Between 1974 and 1987 the seat was a Liberal seat,[7][8][9] then becoming Conservative until 1997 when the Liberal Democrats won on a reduced Conservative vote.[9][10] The seat reverted to the Conservatives in 2001.[10]

[edit] Members of Parliament

[edit] Pre 1832

[edit] Since 1832

Andrew Turner has served as MP since 2001.
Election Member [11] Party
1832 Sir Richard Simeon, Bt Liberal
1837 William Holmes à Court Conservative
1847 John Simeon Liberal
1851 by-election Edward Dawes Liberal
1852 Francis Venables-Vernon-Harcourt Conservative
1857 Charles Cavendish Clifford Liberal
1865 John Simeon Liberal
1870 by-election Alexander Baillie-Cochrane Conservative
1880 Evelyn Ashley Liberal
1885 Richard Webster Conservative
1900 John Seely Conservative
1904 Liberal
1906 Godfrey Baring Liberal
1910 Douglas Hall Conservative
1922 Sir Edgar Chatfeild-Clarke Liberal
1923 John Seely Liberal
1924 Peter Macdonald Conservative
1959 Mark Woodnutt Conservative
1974 Stephen Ross Liberal
1987 Barry Field Conservative
1997 Peter Brand Liberal Democrats
2001 Andrew Turner Conservative

[edit] Elections

[edit] Elections in the 2010s

The Conservative party retained the seat at the 2010 General Election. In his acceptance speech the incumbent Andrew Turner thanked all the electors and candidates, particularly noting the aid which Mark Chiverton, the Labour Party candidate, had given to him in the previous term during an illness. Liberal Democrat candidate Jill Wareham thanked the candidates and voters, and predicted a further election within the near future. The Labour Party candidate Mark Chiverton, union representative for the local council, again thanked voters and candidates returning the warm thanks of Andrew Turner for his help during the period since the previous election.

General Election 2010: Isle of Wight[12][13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Turner 32,810 46.7 -2.3
Liberal Democrat Jill Wareham 22,283 31.7 +2.2
Labour Mark Chiverton 8,169 11.6 -5.6
UKIP Michael Tarrant 2,435 3.5 +0.1
BNP Geoff Clynch 1,457 2.1 N/A
English Democrats Ian Dunsire 1,233 1.8 N/A
Green Bob Keats 931 1.3 N/A
Middle England Party Paul Martin 616 0.9 N/A
Independent Pete Harris 175 0.2 N/A
Independent Paul Randle-Jolliffe 89 0.1 N/A
Independent Edward Corby 66 0.1 -0.7
Majority 10,527 15.0
Turnout 70,258 64.02

[edit] Elections in the 2000s

The general election of 2005 saw an increased lead for the Conservatives, largely at the expense of the Liberal Democrat vote. It is likely that this reflected local anger at the Liberal Democrat dominated local council at this time, primarily arising from local education policy.

The constituency was one of the few in the country to see an increased share of the vote for Labour as Mark Chiverton, the union leader for the local council, represented a strong candidate for the party.

The UKIP had placed second in the 2004 European Parliamentary elections, and a strong performance was expected by some from the party in this election. However, while once again increasing their share of the vote from the last election, Michael Tarrant, the UKIP candidate was unable to retain the deposit, and match the performance of the similarly Eurosceptic Referendum party in 1997.

The final candidate, Edward Corby, presented himself as an independent voice standing up for the rights of pensioners, and representing a green perspective.

General Election 2005:[14] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Turner 32,717 48.9 +9.2
Liberal Democrat Anthony Rowlands 19,739 29.5 -5.8
Labour Mark Chiverton 11,484 17.2 +2.0
UKIP Michael Tarrant 2,352 3.5 +0.2
Independent Edward Corby 551 0.8
Majority 12,978 19.4
Turnout 66,843 61.3 +0.5
Conservative hold Swing +7.5
General Election 2001:[10] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Turner 25,223 39.7 +5.7
Liberal Democrat Peter Brand 22,397 35.3 -7.5
Labour Deborah Gardiner 9,676 15.2 +2.1
UKIP David Lott 2,106 3.3 +1.9
Independent David Holmes 1,423 2.2
Green Paul Scivier 1,279 2.0 +1.3
Isle of Wight Party Philip Murray 1,164 1.8
Socialist Labour James Spensley 214 0.3
Majority 2,826 4.4
Turnout 63,482 60.8 -11.2
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing 6.6

[edit] Elections in the 1990s

General Election 1997: Isle of Wight[10][15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrat Dr Peter Brand 31,274 42.7 -2.9
Conservative Andrew Turner 24,868 34.0 -13.9
Labour Deborah Gardiner 9,646 13.2 +7.2
Referendum Party Tim Bristow 4,734 6.5
UKIP Malcom Turner 2,106 1.5 N/A
Independent Harry Rees 848 1.2 N/A
Green Paul Kevin Scivier 544 0.7 N/A
Natural Law Clive Daly 87 0.1 -0.3
Rainbow Warriors Jonathan Eveleigh 86 0.1 N/A
Majority 6,406 8.6
Turnout 74,193 72.0 -7.8
Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative Swing 6.6
General Election 1992:[9] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Barry Field 38,163 47.9 −3.3
Liberal Democrat Dr Peter Brand 36,336 45.6 +2.7
Labour Ken Pearson 4,784 6.0 +0.1
Natural Law C Daly 350 0.4 N/A
Majority 1,827 2.3 −6.0
Turnout 79,633 79.8 +0.2
Conservative hold Swing −3.0

[edit] Elections in the 1980s

General Election 1987:[9] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Barry Field 40,175 51.2
Liberal Democrat Michael A. Young 33,733 42.9
Labour K. Pearson 4,626 5.9
Majority 6,442 8.3
Turnout 78,560 79.6
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrat Swing
General Election 1983:[9] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Stephen Ross 38,407 51.0
Conservative Virginia Bottomley 34,904 46.3
Labour C. Wilson 1,828 2.4
Isle of Wight Residents Party T.B.J. McDermott 208 0.3
Majority 3,503 4.7
Turnout 80.0
Liberal hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1970s

General Election 1979:[8] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Stephen Ross 35,889 48.2
Conservative J.D. Fishburn 35,537 47.7
Labour C Wilson 3,014 4.0
Majority 352
Turnout 81.8%
Liberal hold Swing
General Election October 1974:[7] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Stephen Ross 29,697 45.1
Conservative J.D. Fishburn 27,657 42.0
Labour L.D. Brooke 8,562 13.0
Majority 2,040
Turnout 76.7
Liberal hold Swing
General Election February 1974:[16] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Stephen Ross 34,808 50.2
Conservative Mark Woodnutt 27,042 39.0
Labour TC Bisson 7,495 10.8
Majority 7,766
Turnout 81.4
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing
General Election 1970:[17] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mark Woodnutt 30,437 52.4
Labour K.W. Boulton 13,111 22.6
Liberal Stephen Ross 12,883 22.2
Vectis National Party R.W.J Cowdell 1,607 2.8
Majority 17,326
Turnout 72.0
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1960s

General Election 1966:[18] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mark Woodnutt 25,862 48.6
Labour P Stephenson 15,411 29.0
Liberal Stephen Ross 11,915 22.4
Majority 75.0
Turnout 10,451
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1964:[19] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Ald. Mark Woodnutt 27,497 53.5
Labour William Mann 16,244 31.6
Liberal Miss. Barbara Bliss 7,666 14.9
Majority 11,253 21.9
Turnout 74.3
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1950s

General Election 1959:[20] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Mark Woodnutt 31,228 62.9
Labour E.C. Amey 18,396 37.1
Majority 12,832 25.9
Turnout 74.1
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1955:[21] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Peter Macdonald 31,335 62.6
Labour S.G. Conbeer 18,698 37.4
Majority 12,637 25.3
Turnout 74.4
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1951:[22] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Peter Macdonald 33,501 61.8
Labour S.G. Conbeer 20,712 38.2
Majority 12,789 23.6
Turnout 80.3
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1950:[23] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Peter Macdonald 32,984 60.5
Labour S.G. Conbeer 21,496 39.5
Majority 11,488 21.1
Turnout 80.61
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1940s

General Election 1945:[24] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Peter Macdonald 22,036 46.6
Labour W.J. Miller 19,252 40.7
Liberal Miss. M. O'Conor 5,967 12.6
Majority 2,784 5.9
Turnout 47,255 76.0
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1930s

General Election 1935:[25] Isle of Wight
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Peter Macdonald 26,748 63.18
Labour W.J. Miller 15,586 36.83
Majority 11,162 26.37
Turnout 42,334 69.44
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ "Electorate Figures - Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. http://www.boundarycommissionforengland.org.uk/electoral-figures/electoral-figures.htm. Retrieved 13 March 2011. 
  2. ^ a b http://www.boundarycommissionforengland.org.uk/electoral-figures/electoral-figures.htm
  3. ^ "Crossbow - 50th Anniversary edition (page 41)". www.bowgroup.org. http://www.bowgroup.org/harriercollectionitems/CrossBowFINAL.pdf. Retrieved 2008-10-27. [dead link]
  4. ^ "Boundary Commission for England - Isle of Wight". www.statistics.gov.uk. http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pbc/review_areas/IsleofWight.asp. Retrieved 2008-10-26. [dead link]
  5. ^ Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011 legislation.gov.uk
  6. ^ http://consultation.boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/whats-proposed/south-east/isle-of-wight/ Initial Review Isle of Wight] Boundary Commission for England
  7. ^ a b "UK General Election results - October 1974". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge74b/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  8. ^ a b "UK General Election results - May 1979". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge79/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  9. ^ a b c d e "British Parliamentary Election Results 1983-1997". www.election.demon.co.uk. http://www.election.demon.co.uk/1983EC.html. Retrieved 2008-10-26. 
  10. ^ a b c d "BBC News - Results and Constituencies - Isle of Wight". www.bbc.co.uk. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/vote2001/results_constituencies/constituencies/339.stm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  11. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "I" [self-published source?][better source needed]
  12. ^ Statement of Persons Nominated, Isle of Wight Council
  13. ^ Island set for race to be next MP
  14. ^ "IWight - Isle of Wight General election results 2005". www.iwight.gov.uk. http://www.iwight.com/election2005/default.asp. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  15. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-06. 
  16. ^ "UK General Election results - February 1974". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge74a/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  17. ^ "UK General Election results - June 1970". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge70/i11.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  18. ^ "UK General Election results - March 1966". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge66/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  19. ^ "UK General Election results - March 1964". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge64/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  20. ^ "UK General Election results - October 1959". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge59/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  21. ^ "UK General Election results - May 1955". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge55/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  22. ^ "UK General Election results - October 1951". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge51/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  23. ^ "UK General Election results - February 1950". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge50/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  24. ^ "UK General Election results - July 1945". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge45/i12.htm. Retrieved 2008-10-27. 
  25. ^ "UK General Election results - 1935". www.politicsresources.net. http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge35/i10.htm. Retrieved 2011-09-16. 
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