List of former United Kingdom Parliamentary constituencies
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This is a list of former Parliamentary constituencies in the United Kingdom, organised by date of abolition. It is intended for UK Parliamentary constituencies which have been abolished, including those which were later revived, but does not include constituencies which were merely renamed.
The date of creation of a constituency, in some cases, goes back to English and Welsh seats in the Parliament of England and the Scottish constituencies in the Parliament of Great Britain.
In some cases constituencies in the unreformed House of Commons first received a summons to send representatives to Parliament at a date considerably earlier than the one from which they always received a summoned. Where this state of affairs is apparent it is mentioned in a note.
No account is taken, in this article, of the temporary redistribution of constituencies used for the First and Second Protectorate Parliaments in the 1650s. See First Protectorate Parliament for a list of those constituencies.
The Fifth Periodical Review, conducted by the Boundary Commissions in each nation of the UK, is currently underway, due for completion by 2007. Recommendations for the abolition of some constituencies have already been made, and it is expected that these will be implemented for the next UK general election.
For a list of constituencies recommended for creating during this current review see Constituencies in the next United Kingdom general election
See also: Number of Westminster MPs.
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 2005
The Scottish UK Parliamentary constituencies were reorganised following the creation of the Scottish Parliament, in order to remove the traditional over-representation put in place to compensate for the lack of national representation.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Aberdeen Central | 1997 | |
Ayr | 1950 | |
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley | 1983 | Divided between Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock and Central Ayrshire |
Coatbridge and Chryston | 1997 | |
Clydebank and Milngavie | 1983 | |
Clydesdale | 1983 | |
Cunninghame North | 1983 | |
Cunninghame South | 1983 | |
Dumbarton | 1983 | Divided between Dunbartonshire West and Argyll and Bute |
Dumfriesshire | 1708 | |
Dunfermline East | 1983 | |
Dunfermline West | 1983 | |
Eastwood | 1983 | |
Edinburgh Central | 1885 | |
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh | 1997 | |
Edinburgh Pentlands | 1950 | |
Falkirk East | 1983 | |
Falkirk West | 1983 | |
Fife Central | 1974 | |
Galloway and Upper Nithsdale | 1918 | Galloway 1918 to 1983 Galloway and Upper Nithsdale 1983 to 2005 |
Glasgow Anniesland | 1997 | |
Glasgow Baillieston | 1997 | |
Glasgow Cathcart | 1918 | |
Glasgow Govan | 1885 | |
Glasgow Kelvin | 1997 | |
Glasgow Maryhill | 1918 | |
Glasgow Pollok | 1918 | |
Glasgow Rutherglen | 1918 | Rutherglen 1918 to 1983 Glasgow Rutherglen 1983 to 2005 |
Glasgow Shettleston | 1918 | |
Glasgow Springburn | 1918 | |
Greenock and Inverclyde | 1832 | Greenock 1832 to 1974 Greenock and Port Glasgow 1974 to 1997 Greenock and Inverclyde 1997 to 2005 |
Hamilton North and Bellshill | 1997 | |
Hamilton South | 1997 | |
Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber | 1983 | |
Kirkcaldy | 1832 | |
Linlithgow | 1708 | Linlithgowshire 1708 to 1945 West Lothian 1945 to 1983 Linlithgow 1983 to 2005 |
Paisley North | 1983 | |
Paisley South | 1983 | |
Perth | 1708 | Perth and East Perthshire 1708 to 1950 Perth and Kinross 1983 to 1997 Perth 1997 to 2005 |
Renfrewshire West (1997 to 2005) | 1997 | Second creation: first abolished in 1983 |
Ross, Skye and Inverness West | 1997 | |
Roxburgh and Berwickshire | 1708 | Roxburghshire 1708 to 1918 Roxburgh and Selkirk 1918 to 1955 Roxburgh, Selkirk and Peebles 1955 to 1983 Roxburgh and Berwickshire 1983 to 2005 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1997
The Boundary Commissions' Fourth Periodical Review was completed in 1995. It recommended various changes, although most of the abolitions resulting from these took place in Scotland.
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1992
Due to the rapid expansion the town of Milton Keynes, the Boundary Commission for England exceptionally recommended in 1990, between reviews, that it should be divided between two new constituencies.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Milton Keynes | 1983 | Split between Milton Keynes South West and North East Milton Keynes |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1983
The Boundary Commissions' Third Periodical Review was completed in 1983, fourteen years after the previous review. It proposed wider changes than the two earlier reviews and abolished a large number of constituencies, although many constituencies were simply renamed to conform to local government districts created in 1974.
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1974
The Boundary Commissions' Second Periodical Review was completed in 1969, but not implemented until the February 1974 election. Many of the constituencies it abolished were in inner city areas, which were losing population.
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1955
The Boundary Commissions completed their First Periodical Reviews in 1954, as required by the 1944 Act. These reviews controversially recommended further abolitions and creations, including the abolition of some constituencies created only in 1950.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Beverley | 1950 | 1st creation 1563-1870; 3rd creation 1983-97 |
Birmingham Erdington | 1918 | Revived 1974 |
Blackburn East | 1950 | Reunited as Blackburn |
Blackburn West | 1950 | |
Bradford Central | 1885 | |
Broxtowe | 1918 | Revived 1983 |
Croydon East | 1950 | |
Croydon North | 1918 | |
Croydon West | 1950 | |
Droylsden | 1950 | |
Fulham East | 1918 | Divided between Fulham and Barons Court |
Fulham West | 1918 | |
King's Norton | 1918 | |
Glasgow Camlachie | 1885 | |
Glasgow Tradeston | 1885 | |
Hackney South | 1885 | |
Hammersmith South | 1918 | |
Hull Central | 1885 | Strictly Kingston-upon-Hull Central. Revived 1974-1983 |
Leeds Central | 1885 | Revived 1983 |
Leeds North | 1885 | |
Manchester Clayton | 1918 | |
Midlothian and Peebles | 1950 | |
Mile End | 1885 | |
Nottingham East (1950 to 1955) | 1885 | Revived 1974 |
Nottingham North West | 1950 | |
Reading North (1950 to 1955) | 1950 | Revived 1974 to 1983 |
Reading South (1950 to 1955) | 1950 | Revived 1974 to 1983 |
Sheffield Neepsend | 1950 | |
Walsall | 1832 | Split into Walsall North and Walsall South |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1950
The Boundary Commissions completed their Initial Review of Parliamentary Constituencies in 1947. This recommended a number of changes in order that the populations of constituencies ordinarily varied no more than 25% from an electoral quota.
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1945
The House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1944 established four Boundary Commissions. Their first tasks was to review the largest constituencies in the country and recommend division as appropriate. Many of these constituencies were in the population growth areas around London.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Blackpool | 1885 | Split into Blackpool North and Blackpool South |
Coventry | 1470 | First represented 1298 |
Ealing | 1885 | |
Harrow | 1885 | Split into Harrow East and Harrow West |
Hendon | 1918 | Split into Hendon North and Hendon South. Reunited 1997 |
Ilford | 1918 | Split into Ilford North and Ilford South |
Tamworth | 1563 | Revived 1997 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1922
The Government of Ireland Act, 1920 provided for a reduced representation from the whole of Ireland. As a result of the Anglo-Irish Treaty and subsequent legislation Southern Ireland became the Irish Free State and ceased to have representation in the House of Commons and only the complete reworking of constituencies in Northern Ireland took effect.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Antrim East | 1885 | Merged to form Antrim |
Antrim Mid | 1885 | |
Antrim North | 1885 | |
Antrim South | 1885 | |
Armagh Mid | 1885 | Merged to form Armagh |
Armagh North | 1885 | |
Armagh South | 1885 | |
Belfast Cromac | 1918 | Redistributed between: Belfast North Belfast East Belfast South and Belfast West |
Belfast Duncairn | 1918 | |
Belfast Falls | 1918 | |
Belfast Ormeau | 1918 | |
Belfast Pottinger | 1918 | |
Belfast St Anne's | 1918 | |
Belfast Shankill | 1918 | |
Belfast Victoria | 1918 | |
Belfast Woodvale | 1918 | |
Cavan East | 1885 | Left Union |
Cavan West | 1885 | Left Union |
Clare East | 1885 | Left Union |
Clare West | 1885 | Left Union |
Connemara | 1885 | Left Union |
Cork City | 1801 | Left Union |
County Carlow | 1801 | Left Union |
County Cork East | 1885 | Left Union |
County Cork Mid | 1885 | Left Union |
County Cork North | 1885 | Left Union |
County Cork North East | 1885 | Left Union |
County Cork South | 1885 | Left Union |
County Cork South East | 1885 | Left Union |
County Cork West | 1885 | Left Union |
County Dublin North | 1885 | Left Union |
County Dublin South | 1885 | Left Union |
County Galway East | 1885 | Left Union |
County Galway North | 1885 | Left Union |
County Galway South | 1885 | Left Union |
County Kilkenny North | 1885 | Left Union |
County Kilkenny South | 1885 | Left Union |
County Limerick East | 1885 | Left Union |
County Limerick West | 1885 | Left Union |
County Londonderry North | 1885 | Merged with Londonderry City to form Londondery |
County Londonderry South | 1885 | |
County Sligo North | 1885 | Left Union |
County Sligo South | 1885 | left Union |
County Waterford | 1918 | 2nd creation - previously 1801-85. Left Union |
County Wexford North | 1885 | Left Union |
County Wexford South | 1885 | Left Union |
County Louth | 1918 | Left Union |
Donegal East | 1885 | Left Union |
Donegal North | 1885 | Left Union |
Donegal South | 1885 | Left Union |
Donegal West | 1885 | Left Union |
Down East | 1885 | Merged to form Down |
Down Mid | 1918 | |
Down North | 1885 | |
Down South | 1885 | |
Down West | 1885 | |
Dublin Clontarf | 1918 | Left Union |
Dublin College Green | 1885 | Left Union |
Dublin Harbour | 1885 | Left Union |
Dublin St James's | 1918 | Left Union |
Dublin St Michan's | 1918 | Left Union |
Dublin St Patrick's | 1885 | Left Union |
Dublin St Stephen's Green | 1885 | Left Union |
Dublin University | 1801 | Left Union |
Fermanagh North | 1885 | Merged with Tyrone North-East, Tyrone North-West and Tyrone South to form Fermanagh and Tyrone |
Fermanagh South | 1885 | |
Kerry East | 1885 | Left Union |
Kerry North | 1885 | Left Union |
Kerry South | 1885 | Left Union |
Kerry West | 1885 | Left Union |
Kildare North | 1885 | Left Union |
Kildare South | 1885 | Left Union |
King's County | 1918 | 2nd creation - previously 1801-85. Left Union |
Leitrim | 1918 | 2nd creation - previously 1801-85. Left Union |
Limerick City | 1801 | Left Union |
Londonderry City | 1801 | Merged with County Londonderry North and County Londonderry South to form Londondery |
Longford | 1918 | 2nd creation - previously 1801-85. Left Union |
Mayo East | 1885 | Left Union |
Mayo North | 1885 | Left Union |
Mayo South | 1885 | Left Union |
Mayo West | 1885 | Left Union |
Meath North | 1885 | Left Union |
Meath South | 1885 | Left Union |
Monaghan North | 1885 | Left Union |
Monaghan South | 1885 | Left Union |
National University of Ireland | 1918 | Left Union |
Pembroke (Co Dublin) | 1918 | Left Union |
Queen's County | 1918 | 2nd creation - previously 1801-85. Left Union |
Rathmines | 1918 | Left Union |
Roscommon North | 1885 | Left Union |
Roscommon South | 1885 | Left Union |
Tipperary East | 1885 | Left Union |
Tipperary Mid | 1885 | Left Union |
Tipperary South | 1885 | Left Union |
Tyrone North-East | 1918 | Merged with Fermanagh North and Fermanagh South to form Fermanagh and Tyrone |
Tyrone North-West | 1918 | |
Tyrone South | 1885 | |
Waterford City | 1801 | Left Union |
Westmeath | 1918 | 2nd creation - previously 1801-85. Left Union |
Wicklow East | 1885 | Left Union |
Wicklow West | 1885 | Left Union |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1918
The Representation of the People Act 1918, in addition to finally enfranchising women, provided for a redistribution of seats with the aim of equalising electorates, particularly where these had changed significantly since 1885. Many smaller seats were abolished, while some larger ones were divided.
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1885
The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 disenfranchised boroughs with populations of less than 15,000, while several large towns and counties were subdivided into single member constituencies.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Aberdeen | 1832 | Split into Aberdeen North and Aberdeen South |
Antrim | 1801 | Split into East Antrim, Mid Antrim, North Antrim and South Antrim. 2nd creation 1922-50. |
City of Armagh | 1801 | Merged into County Armagh |
County Armagh | 1801 | Split into Mid Armagh, North Armagh and South Armagh. 2nd creation 1922-83. |
Athlone | 1801 | Merged into Westmeath |
Bandon | 1801 | Merged into County Cork |
Beaumaris | 1553 | Merged into Anglesey |
Bedfordshire | 1290 | Split into Biggleswade and Luton |
Belfast | 1801 | Split into Belfast East, Belfast North, Belfast South and Belfast West |
Berkshire | 1290 | Split into Abingdon, Newbury, Windsor and Wokingham |
Birmingham | 1832 | Split into Birmingham Bordesley, Birmingham Central, Birmingham East, Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham North, Birmingham South and Birmingham West |
Bradford (Yorkshire) | 1832 | Split into Bradford Central, Bradford East and Bradford West |
Brecon | 1542 | Merged into Breconshire |
Bridgnorth | 1295 | |
Bridport | 1295 | |
Bristol | 1295 | Split into Bristol East, Bristol North, Bristol South and Bristol West |
Buckinghamshire | 1290 | Split into Aylesbury, Buckingham and Wycombe |
Caernarvonshire | 1542 | Split into Arfon and Eifion. 2nd creation 1918-50. |
Calne | 1295 | |
Cambridgeshire | 1290 | Split into Chesterton, Newmarket and Wisbech. 2nd creation 1918-83. |
Cardigan | 1542 | Merged into Cardiganshire. 2nd creation 1974-83 |
Borough of Carlow | 1801 | Merged into County Carlow |
Carmarthenshire | 1542 | Split into Carmarthenshire East and Carmarthenshire West |
Carrickfergus | 1801 | |
Cavan | 1801 | Split into East Cavan and West Cavan |
East Cheshire | 1868 | |
Mid Cheshire | 1868 | |
West Cheshire | 1868 | |
Clare | 1801 | Split into East Clare and West Clare |
Clonmel | 1801 | |
Coleraine | 1801 | |
County Cork | 1801 | |
East Cornwall | 1832 | |
West Cornwall | 1832 | |
East Cumberland | 1832 | |
West Cumberland | 1832 | |
Denbighshire | 1542 | |
East Derbyshire | 1868 | |
North Derbyshire | 1832 | |
East Devon | 1868 | 2nd creation from 1997 |
North Devon | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1950 |
South Devon | 1832 | |
Donegal | 1801 | |
Dorchester | 1295 | |
Dorset | 1290 | |
Down | 1801 | 2nd creation 1922-50. |
Downpatrick | 1801 | |
Drogheda | 1801 | |
City of Dublin | 1801 | |
County Dublin | 1801 | |
Dundalk | 1801 | |
Dungannon | 1801 | |
Dungarvan | 1801 | |
North Durham | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1983 |
South Durham | 1832 | |
East Retford | 1571 | 1st creation 1316-by 1327 |
East Riding of Yorkshire | 1832 | |
Edinburgh | 1708 | Split into Edinburgh Central, Edinburgh East, Edinburgh South and Edinburgh West |
Ennis | 1801 | |
Enniskillen | 1801 | |
East Essex | 1868 | |
South Essex | 1832 | |
West Essex | 1868 | |
Fermanagh | 1801 | |
Fife | 1708 | Split into East Fife and West Fife |
Finsbury | 1832 | 2nd creation 1918-50 |
County Galway | 1801 | |
Glamorganshire | 1542 | |
Glasgow | 1832 | Divided into Glasgow Blackfriars and Hutchesontown, Glasgow Bridgeton, Glasgow Camlachie, Glasgow College, Glasgow Central, Glasgow St Rollox and Glasgow Tradeston |
East Gloucestershire | 1832 | |
West Gloucestershire | 1832 | 2nd creation 1950-97 |
Great Marlow | 1625 | 1st creation 1301-by 1307 |
Hackney | 1868 | |
Haddington | 1708 | |
North Hampshire | 1832 | |
South Hampshire | 1832 | |
Haverfordwest | 1545 | Merged into Pembroke and Haverfordwest |
Helston | 1298 | |
Herefordshire | 1290 | |
Hertfordshire | 1290 | |
Huntingdonshire | 1290 | 2nd creation 1918-83 |
East Kent | 1832 | |
Mid Kent | 1868 | 2nd creation 1983-97 |
West Kent | 1832 | |
Kerry | 1801 | |
Kildare | 1801 | |
County Kilkenny | 1801 | |
King's County | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Kingston-upon-Hull | 1334 | 1st creation 1305-by 1327 |
Kinsale | 1801 | |
Knaresborough | 1553 | |
Lambeth | 1832 | |
North Lanarkshire | 1868 | Split into Lanarkshire North-East, Lanarkshire North-West, Lanarkshire Mid, Govan and Partick. 2nd creation 1918-83. |
North Lancashire | 1832 | |
North East Lancashire | 1868 | |
South East Lancashire | 1868 | |
South West Lancashire | 1868 | |
Leeds | 1832 | |
North Leicestershire | 1832 | |
South Leicestershire | 1832 | |
Leitrim | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Limerick (County) | 1801 | |
Mid Lincolnshire | 1868 | |
North Lincolnshire | 1868 | |
South Lincolnshire | 1868 | |
Lisburn | 1801 | |
Liskeard | 1295 | |
Liverpool | 1545 | 1st creation 1295-by 1442 |
Londonderry (County) | 1801 | 2nd creation 1922-83 |
Longford | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Louth (County) | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Lymington | 1584 | |
Mallow | 1801 | |
Malmesbury | 1295 | |
Malton | 1641 | 1st creation 1295 |
Manchester | 1832 | |
Marlborough | 1295 | |
Marylebone | 1832 | |
Mayo | 1801 | |
Meath | 1801 | |
Middlesex | 1290 | Split into Tottenham, Hornsey, Harrow, Uxbridge, Brentford and Ealing. |
Midhurst | 1311 | |
Monaghan | 1801 | |
Monmouthshire | 1542 | Split into East Monmouthshire, North Monmouthshire and South Monmouthshire |
Much Wenlock | 1472 | |
Newport (Isle of Wight) | 1584 | Merged into Isle of Wight |
New Ross | 1801 | |
New Shoreham | 1295 | (for the 1974-1997 constituency, see Shoreham) |
West Norfolk | 1832 | |
Northallerton | 1641 | 1st creation 1298 |
North Riding of Yorkshire | 1832 | Split into Richmond, Cleveland, Whitby, and Thirsk and Malton |
North Northumberland | 1832 | |
South Northumberland | 1832 | |
Nottingham | 1295 | Split into 3 divisions |
North Nottinghamshire | 1832 | |
South Nottinghamshire | 1832 | |
Oxfordshire | 1290 | |
Pembroke (Pembrokeshire) | 1542 | Merged into Pembroke and Haverfordwest. 2nd creation 1974-83. |
Perthshire | 1708 | |
Poole | 1453 | 1st creation 1362-by 1377 |
Portarlington | 1801 | |
Queen's County | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Radnor | 1542 | Also known as New Radnor. Merged into Radnorshire. |
Renfrewshire | 1708 | Split into 2 divisions |
Roscommon | 1801 | Split into 2 divisions |
Salford | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1997 |
Sandwich | 1366 | |
Shaftesbury | 1295 | |
Sheffield | 1832 | |
North Shropshire | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1983 |
South Shropshire | 1832 | |
County Sligo | 1801 | |
Mid Somerset | 1868 | |
West Somerset | 1832 | |
Southwark | 1295 | 2nd creation 1983-97 |
East Staffordshire | 1868 | |
North Staffordshire | 1832 | |
East Suffolk | 1832 | |
West Suffolk | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1997 |
East Surrey | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1918 |
Mid Surrey | 1868 | |
West Surrey | 1832 | |
East Sussex | 1832 | |
West Sussex | 1832 | |
Swansea | 1832 | |
Thirsk | 1547 | 1st creation 1295 |
Tipperary | 1801 | |
Tower Hamlets | 1832 | |
Tralee | 1801 | |
Tynemouth and North Shields | 1832 | |
Tyrone | 1801 | |
Wallingford | 1295 | |
Wareham | 1302 | |
Warwick | 1295 | |
North Warwickshire | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1983 |
South Warwickshire | 1832 | |
County Waterford | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Westmeath | 1801 | 2nd creation 1918-22 |
Westmorland | 1290 | Split into Appleby and Kendal. 2nd creation 1918-83. |
West Riding of Yorkshire East | 1865 | |
West Riding of Yorkshire North | 1865 | |
West Riding of Yorkshire South | 1865 | |
Borough of Wexford | 1801 | Merged into County Wexford |
County Wexford | 1801 | Split into North Wexford and South Wexford |
Weymouth and Melcombe Regis | 1572 | |
Wicklow | 1801 | |
Wigtown | 1708 | |
North Wiltshire | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1983 |
South Wiltshire | 1832 | |
Wolverhampton | 1832 | Split into 3 divisions |
Worcestershire West | 1832 | 2nd creation from 1997 as West Worcestershire |
Youghal | 1801 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1870
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Beverley | 1563 | Disenfranchised for corruption. 1st creation 1295-by 1307. 3rd creation 1950-55. 4th creation 1983-97. |
Bridgwater | 1295 | Disenfranchised for corruption. 2nd creation from 1885. |
Cashel | 1801 | Disenfranchised for corruption |
Sligo (Borough) | 1801 | Disenfranchised for corruption |
[edit] Constituencies abolished in 1868
The 1867 Reform Act disenfranchised the remaining boroughs with populations under 10,000 and subdivided some county constituencies.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Aberdeenshire | 1708 | Divided into East Aberdeenshire and West Aberdeenshire |
Arundel | 1295 | 2nd creation 1974-97 |
Ashburton | 1640 | 1st creation 1298. 3rd creation 1885-1918. |
Ayrshire | 1708 | Divided into North Ayrshire (abolished 1918) and South Ayrshire (abolished 1983) |
North Cheshire | 1832 | With South Cheshire, redistributed to form East Cheshire, Mid Cheshire and West Cheshire |
South Cheshire | 1832 | With North Cheshire, redistributed to form East Cheshire, Mid Cheshire and West Cheshire |
Dartmouth | 1351 | 1st creation 1298 |
North Essex | 1832 | Split into East Essex and West Essex. 2nd creation from 1997. |
Great Yarmouth | 1298 | Also known as Yarmouth (Norfolk). 2nd creation from 1885. |
Honiton | 1640 | 1st creation 1301-by 1307. 3rd creation from 1885. |
South Lancashire | 1832 | |
Lancaster | 1523 | 1st creation 1295-by 1376. 3rd creation 1885-1997. |
Lanarkshire | 1708 | Divided into North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire |
Lyme Regis | 1295 | |
East Norfolk | 1832 | |
Peeblesshire | 1708 | United with Selkirkshire to form Peebles and Selkirk |
Reigate | 1295 | 2nd creation from 1885. |
Selkirkshire | 1708 | United with Peeblesshire to form Peebles and Selkirk |
South Staffordshire | 1832 | Split into East Staffordshire and West Staffordshire. Reestablished 1983 |
Thetford | 1529 | |
Totnes | 1295 | 2nd creation 1885-1983. 3rd creation from 1997. |
Wells | 1295 | 2nd creation from 1885. |
[edit] Constituencies abolished between 1832 and 1867
St Albans and Sudbury were both disenfranchised for corruption. After some delay, their seats were redistributed by a special Act of Parliament. Two were given to create new Parliamentary boroughs, while the other two were given to the West Riding of Yorkshire, which was thereafter divided into two constituencies.
Year | Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|
1865 | West Riding of Yorkshire | 1832 | two divisions |
1852 | St Albans | 1553 | Disenfranchised for corruption. 1st created 1311-by 1326. 3rd creation from 1885. |
1844 | Sudbury | 1559 | Disenfranchised for corruption. 2nd creation 1885-1950. |
[edit] Constituencies abolished by the 1832 Reform Act
The 1832 Reform Act saw the abolition of a wide range of rotten boroughs in England. There were also a few changes to Scottish constituencies.
Created | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Aberdeen Burghs | 1708 | Components split into Aberdeen and part of Montrose Burghs |
Aldborough | 1558 | |
Aldeburgh | 1571 | |
Amersham | 1625 | 1st creation 1300-by 1307 |
Anstruther Easter Burghs | 1708 | Components became part of St Andrews Burghs |
Appleby | 1295 | |
Bere Alston | 1584 | |
Bishop's Castle | 1584 | |
Bletchingley | 1295 | |
Boroughbridge | 1553 | |
Bossiney | 1547 | |
Brackley | 1547 | |
Bramber | 1467 | 1st creation 1295-by 1441 |
Buteshire or Caithness | 1708 | Were paired as alternating constituencies until 1832 Then became separate constituencies (both abolished 1918) |
Callington | 1584 | |
Camelford | 1547 | |
Castle Rising | 1558 | |
Cheshire | 1545 | two divisions |
Corfe Castle | 1572 | |
Cornwall | 1290 | two divisions |
Cromartyshire or Nairnshire | 1708 | Were paired as alternating constituencies until 1832 Then Cromartyshire merged with Ross-shire to form Ross and Cromarty (abolished 1983) and Nairnshire merged with Elginshire to form Elginshire and Nairnshire (abolished 1918) |
Cumberland | 1290 | two divisions |
Derbyshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Devon | 1290 | two divisions |
Downton | 1467 | 1st creation 1295-by 1441 |
Dunwich | 1298 | |
County Durham | 1675 | two divisions |
Dysart Burghs | 1708 | Components became part of Kirkcaldy Burghs |
East Grinstead | 1307 | |
East Looe | 1571 | |
Elginshire | 1708 | Merged with Nairnshire to form Elginshire and Nairnshire (abolished 1918) |
Essex | 1290 | two divisions |
Fowey | 1571 | |
Gatton | 1450 | |
Glasgow Burghs | 1708 | Also known as Clyde Burghs. Components split into Glasgow and part of Kilmarnock Burghs |
Gloucestershire | 1290 | two divisions |
Great Bedwyn | 1295 | |
Hampshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Haslemere | 1584 | |
Hedon | 1547 | 1st creation 1295 |
Heytesbury | 1449 | |
Higham Ferrers | 1558 | |
Hindon | 1449 | |
Ilchester | 1621 | 1st creation 1298 |
Kent | 1290 | two divisions |
Lanark Burghs | 1708 | Strictly Linlithgow Burghs |
Lancashire | 1290 | two divisions |
Leicestershire | 1290 | two divisions |
Lincolnshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Lostwithiel | 1305 | |
Ludgershall | 1295 | |
Milborne Port | 1628 | 1st creation 1298-by 1307 |
Minehead | 1563 | |
Mitchell | 1547 | Also known as St Michael's |
New Romney | 1371 | |
Newport (Cornwall) | 1529 | |
Newton (Lancashire) | 1559 | |
Newtown (Isle of Wight) | 1584 | |
Norfolk | 1290 | two divisions |
Northamptonshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Northumberland | 1290 | two divisions |
Nottinghamshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Okehampton | 1640 | 1st creation 1301-by 1307 |
Old Sarum | 1360 | 1st creation 1295 |
Orford | 1512 | 1st creation 1298-by 1307 |
Plympton Erle | 1295 | |
Queenborough | 1571 | |
Ross-shire | 1708 | Merged with Cromartyshire to form Ross and Cromarty (abolished 1983) |
St Germans | 1563 | |
St Mawes | 1563 | |
Saltash | 1547 | |
Seaford | 1641 | 1st creation 1298-by 1307 |
Shropshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Somerset | 1290 | two divisions |
Staffordshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Steyning | 1467 | 1st creation 1298-by 1307. 2nd creation by 1327-1442. |
Stockbridge | 1563 | |
Suffolk | 1290 | two divisions |
Surrey | 1290 | two divisions |
Sussex | 1290 | two divisions |
Tain Burghs | 1708 | Enlarged and renamed Wick Burghs, also known as Northern Burghs (abolished 1918) |
Tregony | 1559 | 1st creation 1295 |
Warwickshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Wendover | 1625 | 1st creation 1301-by 1307 |
Weobley | 1628 | 1st creation 1295 |
West Looe | 1547 | |
Whitchurch | 1584 | |
Wiltshire | 1290 | two divisions |
Winchelsea | 1366 | |
Wootton Bassett | 1447 | |
Worcestershire | 1290 | two divisions |
Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) | 1584 | |
Yorkshire | 1290 | three divisions |
[edit] Constituencies abolished 1529-1821
The disenfranchisement of boroughs was almost unknown in the unreformed House of Commons. Apart from a few special cases in the sixteenth century and the temporary redistribution of constituencies for the First and Second Protectorate Parliaments in the 1650s, no borough was disenfranchised until Grampound. The Cornish borough was abolished in 1821 in an effort to avoid the more sweeping reforms which later occurred in the 1832 Reform Act.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Grampound | 1547 | Disenfranchised for corruption 1821. Its two seats were transferred and added to Yorkshire from 1826. |
Melcombe Regis | 1319 | Merged with Weymouth to form Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in 1572 |
Weymouth | 1348 | Merged with Melcombe Regis to form Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in 1572 |
Calais | 1372 | Borough in France, re-conquered by the French in 1558 |
Newborough | 1542 | Borough constituency in Anglesey, altered to Beaumaris from 1553 |
Tournai | 1513 | Borough in France (now Belgium), returned to French rule in 1519 |
[edit] Constituency abolished 1472
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments before 1467 but which were not enfranchised in that year.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Grantham | 1467 | 2nd creation 1484-1997 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished 1467
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments before 1467 but which were not enfranchised in that year.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Derby | 1295 | 2nd creation 1472-1950 |
Great Grimsby | 1295 | Sometimes known as Grimsby. 2nd creation from 1472. |
Southampton | 1295 | 2nd creation 1472-1950 |
Winchester | 1295 | 2nd creation from 1472 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished between 1378 and 1441
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments before 1378 but which were not enfranchised by 1442. They were seldom if at all represented afterwards, until they were restored to the list of those regularly in receipt of writs of summons in later years.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bramber | 1295 | 2nd creation 1467-1832 |
Downton | 1295 | 2nd creation 1467-1832 |
Liverpool | 1295 | 2nd creation 1545-1885 |
Steyning | By 1327 | 1st creation 1298-by 1307. 3rd creation 1467-1832. |
[edit] Constituencies abolished between 1328 and 1376
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments before 1328 but which were not enfranchised by 1377. They were seldom if at all represented afterwards, until they were restored to the list of those regularly in receipt of writs of summons in later years.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Hertford | By 1327 | 1st creation 1298-by 1307. 3rd creation 1624-1974. |
Lancaster | 1295 | 2nd creation 1523-1868. 3rd creation 1885-1997. |
New Windsor | 1302 | Also known as Windsor. 2nd creation 1447-1974. 3rd creation from 1997. |
Poole | 1362 | 2nd creation 1453-1885. 3rd creation from 1950. |
Preston | 1295 | 2nd creation 1529-1950. 3rd creation from 1983. |
Ravensrodd | 1295 | Represented intermittently until 1337. |
St Albans | 1311 | 2nd creation 1553-1852. 3rd creation from 1885. |
[edit] Constituencies abolished between 1308 and 1327
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments before 1308 but which were not enfranchised by 1327. They were seldom if at all represented afterwards, until they were restored to the list of those regularly in receipt of writs of summons in later years.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Droitwich | 1295 | 2nd creation 1554-1918 |
Kingston-upon-Hull | 1305 | 2nd creation 1334-1885 |
Petersfield | 1307 | 2nd creation 1547-1983 |
Wigan | 1295 | 2nd creation from 1545 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished between 1302 and 1307
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments before 1302 but which were not enfranchised by 1307. They were seldom if at all represented afterwards, until they were restored to the list of those regularly in receipt of writs of summons in later years.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Amersham | 1300 | 2nd creation 1625-1832 |
Beverley | 1295 | 2nd creation 1563-1870. 3rd creation 1950-55. 4th creation 1983-97. |
Evesham | 1295 | 2nd creation 1604-1950 |
Great Marlow | 1301 | 2nd creation 1625-1885 |
Hertford | 1298 | 2nd creation by 1327-by 1377. 3rd creation 1624-1974. |
Honiton | 1301 | 2nd creation 1640-1868. 3rd creation from 1885. |
Milborne Port | 1298 | 2nd creation 1628-1832 |
Okehampton | 1301 | 2nd creation 1640-1832 |
Orford | 1298 | 2nd creation 1512-1832 |
Seaford | 1298 | 2nd creation 1641-1832 |
Stamford | 1295 | 2nd creation 1467-1918 |
Steyning | 1298 | 2nd creation by 1327-1442. 3rd creation 1467-1832. |
Torrington | 1295 | 2nd creation 1950-74 |
Wendover | 1301 | 2nd creation 1625-1832 |
[edit] Constituencies abolished 1298
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Parliaments of 1298, which were seldom if at all represented afterwards, until they were restored to the list of those regularly in receipt of writs of summons in later centuries.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Ashburton | 1298 | 2nd creation 1640-1868. 3rd creation 1885-1818. |
Coventry | 1298 | 2nd creation 1470-1945 |
Dartmouth | 1298 | 2nd creation 1351-1868 |
Ilchester | 1298 | 2nd creation 1621-1832 |
Northallerton | 1298 | 2nd creation 1641-1885 |
Plymouth | 1298 | 2nd creation 1442-1918 |
Pontefract | 1298 | 1st creation 1295. 3rd creation 1621-1918. 4th creation 1950-74. |
[edit] Constituencies abolished 1295
There were a number of boroughs known to have been represented in the Model Parliament of 1295, which were seldom if at all represented afterwards.
Some boroughs originally included in the 1295 Parliament, were restored to the list of those always summoned in later centuries or the same name was used for a constituency after 1832.
Constituency | Created | Notes |
---|---|---|
Alresford | 1295 | |
Alton | 1295 | |
Andover | 1295 | 2nd creation 1586-1918 |
Axbridge | 1295 | |
Bamborough | 1295 | |
Basingstoke | 1295 | 2nd creation from 1885 |
Bradford (Wiltshire) | 1295 | |
Bromsgrove | 1295 | 2nd creation 1950-74. 3rd creation from 1983. |
Cockermouth | 1295 | 2nd creation 1640-1918 |
Corbridge | 1295 | |
Dudley | 1295 | 2nd creation 1832-1974 |
Egremont | 1295 | 2nd creation 1885-1918 |
Ely | 1295 | Part of Isle of Ely 1918-83. |
Hedon | 1295 | 2nd creation 1547-1832 |
Kidderminster | 1295 | 2nd creation 1832-1983 |
Ledbury | 1295 | |
Malton | 1295 | 2nd creation 1641-1885 |
Old Sarum | 1295 | 2nd creation 1360-1832 |
Overton | 1295 | |
Pershore | 1295 | |
Pickering | 1295 | |
Pontefract | 1295 | 2nd creation 1298. 3rd creation 1621-1918. 4th creation 1950-74. |
Ripon | 1295 | 2nd creation 1553-1983 |
Tavistock | 1295 | 2nd creation 1330-1974 |
Thirsk | 1295 | 2nd creation 1547-1885 |
Tickhill | 1295 | |
Tregony | 1295 | 2nd creation 1559-1832. |
Tunbridge | 1295 | 2nd creation 1885-1918. |
Weobley | 1295 | 2nd creation 1628-1832 |
Yarmouth and Newport (Isle of Wight) | 1295 | Split into Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) 1584-1832 & Newport (Isle of Wight) 1584-1885. |
Yarum | 1295 |
[edit] See also
- List of Parliamentary constituencies in the United Kingdom
- Irish House of Commons
- Wikipedia:WikiProject UK Parliament constituencies/Historic constituencies
- Wikipedia:WikiProject UK Parliament constituencies/Historic constituency names
[edit] References
- The House of Commons 1509-1558, by S.T. Bindoff (Secker & Warburg 1982)
- F. W. S. Craig, British Electoral Facts: 1832-1987
- F. W. S. Craig, Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885-1972 (ISBN 0-900178-09-4), Political Reference Publications, Chichester, Sussex, 1972
- Frederic A Youngs, jr, Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England (London: Royal Historical Society - Volume I 1979, Volume II 1991).
- Leigh Rayment's Peerage Page - constituencies and their MPs since 1660
- Administration and Cost of Elections Project - The United Kingdom Redistribution Process