Orkney and Shetland (UK Parliament constituency)

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Orkney and Shetland
County constituency
Orkney and Shetland shown within Scotland
Created: 1708
MP: Alistair Carmichael
Party: Liberal Democrats
Type: House of Commons
Council areas: Orkney/Shetland
EP constituency: Scotland

Orkney and Shetland is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. In the Scottish Parliament, Orkney and Shetland are separate constituencies.

The constituency was known as Orkney and Zetland - an alternative name for Shetland.

Contents

[edit] Boundaries

The constituency is made up of the two island groups Orkney, and Shetland. A constituency of this name has existed continuously since 1708, which may be a record. However before 1918 the town of Kirkwall (the capital of Orkney) formed part of the Northern Burghs constituency.

Uniquely, the constituencies boundaries are protected by legislation, as rule 3a of the Boundary Commission rules states: "A constituency which includes the Orkney Islands or the Shetland Islands shall not include the whole or any part of a local government area other than the Orkney Islands and the Shetland Islands." [1] This rule was added in the late 90s as a by-product of the legislation establishing the Scottish parliament.

[edit] Member of Parliament

The constituency has elected only Liberal and Liberal Democrat MPs since 1950, the longest run of any UK constituency. In each general election from 1955 until 1979, and again in 1987, it was the safest Liberal seat in the UK.

[edit] Election results

[edit] Elections in the 2000s

General Election 2005: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Alistair Carmichael 9,138 51.5 +10.1
Labour Richard Meade 2,511 14.2 −6.4
Conservative Frank Nairn 2,357 13.3 −5.4
Scottish National Party John Mowat 1,833 10.3 −4.5
Scottish Socialist John Aberdein 992 5.6 +1.0
UKIP Scott Dyble 424 2.4 +2.4
Legalise Cannabis Paul Cruickshank 311 1.8 +1.8
Free Scotland Party Brian Nugent 176 1.0 +1.0
Majority 6,627 37.4
Turnout 17,742 53.7 +1.7
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +8.3
General Election 2001: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Alistair Carmichael 6,919 41.3 −10.6
Labour Robert Mochrie 3,444 20.6 +2.3
Conservative John Firth 3,121 18.7 +6.4
Scottish National Party John Mowat 2,473 14.8 +2.1
Scottish Socialist Peter Andrews 776 4.6 +4.6
Majority 3,475 20.7
Turnout 16,733 52.4 −11.5
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1990s

General Election 1997: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace 10,743 52.0
Labour James Paton 3,775 18.3
Scottish National Party Willie Ross 2,624 12.7
Conservative Hope Vere Anderson 2,527 12.2
Referendum Party F. Adamson 820 4.0
Natural Law C. Wharton 116 0.6
Independent A. Robertson 60 0.3
Majority 6,968
Turnout 64.0
Liberal Democrats hold Swing
General Election 1992: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Jim Wallace 9,575 46.4
Conservative Paul McCormick 4,542 22.0
Labour John Aberdein 4,093 19.8
Scottish National Party Frances McKie 2,301 11.2
Natural Law C. Wharton 115 0.6
Majority 5,033
Turnout 65.5
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1980s

General Election 1987: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jim Wallace 8,881 41.7
Conservative R. W. A. Jenkins 4,959 23.3
Labour John Aberdein 3,995 18.7
Orkney and Shetland Movement John Goodlad 3,095 14.5
Green G. K. Collister 389 1.8
Majority 3,922 18.4
Turnout 68.7
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1983: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jim Wallace 9,374 45.9
Conservative David Myles 5,224 25.6
Scottish National Party Winifred Ewing 3,147 15.4
Labour Robina Goodlad 2,665 13.1
Majority 4,150 20.3
Turnout 67.8
Liberal hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1970s

General Election 1979: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 10,950 56.4
Conservative C. Donaldson 4,140 21.3
Labour Robina Goodlad 3,385 17.4
Scottish National Party M. Spens 935 4.8
Majority 6,810 35.1
Turnout 67.2
Liberal hold Swing
General Election October 1974: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 9,877 56.2
Scottish National Party H. Firth 3,025 17.2
Conservative C. Donaldson 2,495 14.2
Labour W. J. G. Wills 2,175 12.4
Majority 6,852 39.0
Turnout 66.8
Liberal hold Swing
General Election February 1974: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 11,491 62.0
Conservative J. L. Firth 4,186 22.6
Labour W. J. G. Wills 2,865 15.5
Majority 7,305 39.4
Turnout 71.1
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1970: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 7,896 47.0
Conservative J. L. Firth 5,364 31.9
Labour W. McP. Reid 3,552 21.1
Majority 2,532 15.1
Turnout 65.6
Liberal hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1960s

General Election 1966: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 9,605 59.1
Conservative J L Firth 3,630 22.3
Labour H Lynch 3,021 18.6
Majority 5,975 36.8
Turnout 16,256 65.2
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1964: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 11,604 62.6
Conservative J L Firth 3,704 20.0
Labour I MacInnes 3,232 17.4
Majority 7,900 42.6
Turnout 18,540 72.7
Liberal hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1950s

General Election 1959: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 12,099 64.1
Conservative G H W Bruce 3,487 18.5
Labour R S McGowan 3,275 17.4
Majority 8,612 45.7
Turnout 18,861 71.3
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1955: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 11,753 63.8
Conservative J Eunson 3,760 20.4
Labour E Ramsay 2,914 15.8
Majority 7,993 43.4
Turnout 18,427 66.1
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1951: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 11,745 57.5
Conservative A Tennant 5,354 26.2
Labour M A Fairnie 3,335 16.2
Majority 6,391 31.3
Turnout 20,434 69.0
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1950: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Jo Grimond 9,237 46.8
Conservative Basil Neven-Spence 6,281 31.9
Labour H R Leslie 3,335 21.3
Majority 2,956 15.0
Turnout 19,716 67.7
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1940s

General Election 1945: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Basil Neven-Spence 6,304 36.0 -21.6
Liberal Jo Grimond 5,975 34.2 -8.2
Labour P J L Smith 5,208 29.8
Majority 329 1.8 -13.4
Turnout 17,487 55.5 +9.2
Conservative hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1930s

General Election 1935: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Basil Neven-Spence 8,406 57.6
Liberal Robert William Hamilton 6,180 42.4
Majority 2,226 15.2
Turnout 1,586 46.3
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing
General election of 1931

In the 1931 UK general election, Robert William Hamilton was elected unopposed.

[edit] Elections in the 1920s

General Election 1929: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert William Hamilton 8,256 60.4
Conservative Basil Neven-Spence 5,404 39.6
Majority 2,852 20.6
Turnout 13,660 43.1
Liberal hold Swing
General election of 1924

In the 1924 UK general election, Robert William Hamilton was elected unopposed.

General Election 1923: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert William Hamilton 5,129 54.3 +0.8
Conservative Robert Boothby 4,318 45.7
Majority 811 8.6 +1.6
Turnout 9,447 39.1 +1.7
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1922: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Robert William Hamilton 4,814 53.5
National Liberal Malcolm Smith 4,189 46.5
Majority 625 7.0
Turnout 9,003 37.4
Liberal hold Swing


Orkney and Shetland By-Election 17th May 1921

In the 1921 Orkney and Shetland by-election, Malcolm Smith was elected unopposed.

[edit] Elections in the 1910s

General election of 1918

In the 1918 UK general election, Cathcart Wason was elected unopposed.

General election of December 1910

In the December 1910 UK general election, Cathcart Wason was elected unopposed.

General Election January 1910: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Cathcart Wason 4,117 80.6 +1.6
Liberal Unionist T W Hemsley 994 19.4 -1.6
Majority 3,123 61.2 +3.2
Turnout 5,111 71.8 +8.5
Liberal hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1900s

General Election 1906: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Cathcart Wason 3,837 79.0 +29.5
Conservative C J Dunlop 1,021 21.0 -29.5
Majority 2,816 58.0
Turnout 4,858 63.3 +8.4
Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist Swing
By-election: 18-19th Nov 1902: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Independent Liberal Cathcart Wason 2,412 46.8 +46.8
Liberal T M Wood 2,001 38.8 -10.7
Liberal Unionist T V S Angier 740 14.4 -36.1
Majority 411 8.0
Turnout 5,153 68.1 +13.2
Independent gain from Liberal Unionist Swing
General Election 1900: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Unionist Cathcart Wason 2,057 50.5 +10.4
Liberal Leonard Lyell 2,017 49.5 -10.4
Majority 40 1.0
Turnout 4,074 54.9 -1.0
Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1890s

General Election 1895: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Leonard Lyell 2,361 59.9 -2.0
Liberal Unionist R W M Fullarton 1,580 40.1 +2.0
Majority 781 19.8 -4.0
Turnout 3,941 55.9 -4.0
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1892: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Leonard Lyell 2,624 61.9 -1.1
Liberal Unionist W Younger 1,617 38.1 +1.1
Majority 1,007 23.8 -2.2
Turnout 4,241 59.9 +8.4
Liberal hold Swing

[edit] Elections in the 1880s

General Election 1886: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Leonard Lyell 2,353 63.0 -0.3
Liberal Unionist H Hoare 1,382 37.0 +0.3
Majority 971 26.0 -0.6
Turnout 3,735 50.5 -21.1
Liberal hold Swing
General Election 1885: Orkney and Shetland
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Leonard Lyell 3,352 63.3
Conservative C T Dundas 1,940 36.7
Majority 1,412 26.6
Turnout 5,292 71.6

[edit] Sources

[edit] See also

UK Parliament constituencies in Scotland
Labour

Aberdeen North | Aberdeen South | Airdrie and Shotts | Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock | Central Ayrshire | Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill | Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East | Dumfries and Galloway | Dundee West | East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow | East Lothian | East Renfrewshire | Edinburgh East | Edinburgh North and Leith | Edinburgh South | Edinburgh South West | Falkirk | Glasgow Central | Glasgow East | Glasgow North | Glasgow North West | Glasgow South | Glasgow South West | Glenrothes | Inverclyde | Kilmarnock and Loudoun | Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath | Lanark and Hamilton East | Linlithgow and East Falkirk | Livingston | Midlothian | Motherwell and Wishaw | North Ayrshire and Arran | Ochil and South Perthshire | Paisley and Renfrewshire North | Paisley and Renfrewshire South | Rutherglen and Hamilton West | Stirling | West Dunbartonshire
Liberal Democrat

Argyll and Bute | Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk | Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross | Dunfermline and West Fife | East Dunbartonshire | Edinburgh West | Gordon | Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey | North East Fife | Orkney and Shetland | Ross, Skye and Lochaber | West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
SNP

Angus | Banff and Buchan | Dundee East | Moray | Na h-Eileanan an Iar | Perth and North Perthshire
Conservative and Unionist

Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Speaker

Glasgow North East
Scotland European constituency: Labour (2) | SNP (2) | Conservative and Unionist (2) | Liberal Democrats (1)
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