Since the split of the City of York seat with effect from the 2010 general election, Lincoln has been the oldest constituency in continuous existence in the UK – established in 1265. Lincoln was a bellwether between October 1974 and 2017. The seat bucked the national Conservative victory in 1970 by electing a Labour MP, as it did in 2017. In 2019 and 2024, Lincoln followed the national result, electing a Conservative MP in 2019 and a Labour MP in 2024.
The seat has been considered, relative to others, an ultra-marginal seat, as well as a swing seat. From 2005 until 2024, its winner's majority had not exceeded 6.9% of the vote since the 12.5% majority won in 2005 and the seat had changed hands three times since then. However, in 2024, Hamish Falconer secured the seat with a majority of 20.8%.
Lincoln is a constituency in Lincolnshire, covering the city of Lincoln and the nearby villages of Bracebridge Heath, Waddington and Skellingthorpe. Lincoln is a historic cathedral city that dates back to at least the Roman era when it was known as Lindum Colonia, from which the modern name originates. The city is known for its cathedral, once the tallest building in the world, and its university which has around 20,000 students.[2] The city has average levels of wealth; there are high levels of deprivation in the St Giles and Ermine estates which have a high quantity of council housing, whilst the west of the city and the outlying villages are more affluent.[3] House prices in Lincoln are lower than the national and East Midlands averages.[4]
In general, residents of Lincoln are young and have average levels of education. Household income and homeownership rates are low,[4] and a high proportion of residents work in the health sector.[5] The city's rate of child poverty is higher than the national figure.[6] The city is politically mixed at the local council level; the west of the city is represented by Labour Party councillors, the east by Liberal Democrats, the south around Bracebridge by Reform UK and the outlying villages mostly by Conservatives. An estimated 58% of voters in Lincoln supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, higher than the nationwide figure of 52%.[4]
1885–1918: The existing parliamentary borough, and the parish of Bracebridge.[7]
1918–1950: The County Borough of Lincoln, and the Urban District of Bracebridge.
1950–1974: The County Borough of Lincoln.
1974–1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1983–1997: The City of Lincoln, and the District of North Kesteven wards of Bracebridge Heath, North Hykeham Central, North Hykeham North, North Hykeham South, Skellingthorpe, and Waddington West.
1997–2010: The City of Lincoln, and the District of North Kesteven ward of Bracebridge Heath.
2010–2023: The City of Lincoln, and the District of North Kesteven wards of Bracebridge Heath and Waddington East, and Skellingthorpe.
Following a local government boundary review in the District of North Kesteven which came into effect in May 2023,[8][9] the constituency now comprises the following:
The City Of Lincoln.
In the District of Kesteven: the Bracebridge Heath ward; the majority of the Skellingthorpe & Eagle ward; and the majority of the Waddington Rural ward.[10]
Lincoln first sent Members to Parliament in 1265, thirty years before the first all-over coverage of cities and qualifying towns was introduced in the Model Parliament, and has done so ever since, although no records exist from before the end of the 13th century. The early elections were held at the Guildhall and the burgesses elected were usually officials of the borough.
The representation, originally two Members ("burgesses"), was reduced to one Member in 1885.
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;
Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
↑Robert Hobart was known as Robert Hobart until 1793, and as Lord Hobart from 1793 until he acceded to the peerage in 1804 as the 4th Earl of Buckinghamshire.
Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832–1885 (2nded.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p.187. ISBN978-0-900178-26-9.
Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1974]. British parliamentary election results 1885–1918 (2nded.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p.137. ISBN978-0-900178-27-6.
Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rded.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p.172. ISBN978-0-900178-06-1.