Bristol West (UK Parliament constituency)

Bristol West
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons

Outline map

Boundary of Bristol West in Avon.

Outline map

Location of Avon within England.
County City of Bristol
Electorate 82,503 (December 2010)[1]
Current constituency
Created 1885
Member of parliament Stephen Williams (Liberal Democrat)
Number of members One
Overlaps
European Parliament constituency South West England

Bristol West is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It covers the central and western parts of Bristol.

Boundaries

Following the review into parliamentary representation in Bristol by the Boundary Commission for England, Bristol West was subject to significant boundary changes at the 2010 general election.[2] The constituency is now formed from the following electoral wards: Ashley, Bishopston, Cabot, Clifton, Clifton East, Cotham, Easton, Lawrence Hill, Redland. Easton and Lawrence Hill were transferred from Bristol East, while the wards of Henleaze, Stoke Bishop and Westbury-on-Trym were lost to Bristol North West.

During the review, a proposal to rename the constituency as "Bristol Central" was rejected.[2]

During the boundary review in 2012, the Conservatives insisted that all constituencies should comprise roughly similar populations. As a larger than average constituency, Bristol West is therefore likely to lose the ward of Easton to the constituency of Bristol East.

History

Traditionally this was the safest Conservative seat in Bristol, covering its most middle-class areas. It was held by the party continuously for a century and was represented by a series of Conservative cabinet ministers including Michael Hicks-Beach, Oliver Stanley, Walter Monckton and William Waldegrave. The seat was held by the Conservatives for 112 years before Labour's Valerie Davey won it at the 1997 general election; Labour had been third in 1992.

At the 2005 election the seat was Liberal Democrat target number 18, and Conservative target number 50; it had been frequently described in the media as a "three-way marginal", and all parties fought hard for the constituency. The seat was taken by Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams with a large majority, thought to have been aided by the large student electorate, hostile to Labour's top-up fees policy. This Liberal Democrat success was similar to those in other seats with a large student population, such as Cambridge, Manchester Withington, Leeds North West and Cardiff Central. In the 2010 election, Stephen Williams held the seat with an increased majority.[3]

Members of Parliament

George Gibbs, MP for the area from 1906-28
ElectionMember[4] Party
1885 Michael Hicks-Beach Conservative
1906 George Abraham Gibbs Conservative
1928 Cyril Thomas Culverwell Conservative
1945 Oliver Stanley Conservative
1951 Sir Walter T. Monckton Conservative
1957 Robert Cooke Conservative
1979 William Waldegrave Conservative
1997 Valerie Davey Labour
2005 Stephen Williams Liberal Democrats

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

General Election 2015: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams [5]
Labour Thangam Debbonaire [5]
UKIP Paul Turner[5]
Green Darren Hall [5]
Conservative Claire Hiscott [5]
Left Unity Stewart Weston [5]
Independent Dawn Parry [6]

In 2015, Class War Party announced Jan McDonald as its candidate,[7] but he failed to stand.

General Election 2010: Bristol West[3][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams 26,593 48.0 +8.9
Labour Paul Smith 15,227 27.5 −9.0
Conservative Nick Yarker 10,169 18.4 +2.0
Green Ricky Knight 2,090 3.8 −1.8
UKIP Christopher Lees 655 1.2 −0.1
Independent Danny Kushlick 343 0.6
English Democrats Jon Baker 270 0.5
Majority 11,366 20.5 +11.6
Turnout 55,347 66.9 +3.3
Liberal Democrat hold Swing

Elections in the 2000s

General Election 2005: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams 21,987 38.3 +9.4
Labour Valerie Davey 16,859 29.4 −7.4
Conservative David Martin 15,429 26.9 −1.9
Green Justin M. Quinnell 2,163 3.8 +0.3
UKIP Simon D. Muir 439 0.8 −0.1
Socialist Labour Bernard J. Kennedy 329 0.6 −0.5
Save Bristol North Baths Party Douglas J. Reid 190 0.3 +0.3
Majority 5,128 8.9
Turnout 57,396 70.5 +4.9
Liberal Democrat gain from Labour Swing +8.4

General Election 2001: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Valerie Davey 20,505 36.8 +1.6
Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams 16,079 28.9 +0.9
Conservative Pamela Chesters 16,040 28.8 −4.0
Green John F.L. Devaney 1,961 3.5 +2.2
Socialist Labour Bernard J. Kennedy 590 1.1 +0.7
UKIP Simon D. Muir 490 0.9 N/A
Majority 4,426 7.9
Turnout 55,665 65.6 −7.8
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General Election 1997: Bristol West[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Valerie Davey 22,068 35.2 +10.5
Conservative William Waldegrave 20,575 32.8 −9.4
Liberal Democrat Charles R. Boney 17,551 28.0 −2.7
Referendum Party Lady R.E. Margot Beauchamp 1,304 2.1 N/A
Green Justin M. Quinnell 852 1.4 +0.4
Socialist Labour Roy C.M.T. Nurse 244 0.4 N/A
Natural Law Jai J. Brierley 47 0.1 −0.1
Majority 1,493 2.4
Turnout 61,789 73.8
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
General Election 1992: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Waldegrave 22,169 42.2 −3.3
Liberal Democrat Charles R. Boney 16,098 30.7 −0.6
Labour Headley Bashforth 12,992 24.7 +3.8
Green Alastair Sawday 906 1.7 −0.3
Natural Law David J. Cross 104 0.2 N/A
Revolutionary Communist Ben Brent 92 0.2 N/A
Struck off Doctors Alliance Phil J. Hammond 87 0.2 N/A
Anti-Federalist League Tim P.E. Hedges 42 0.1 N/A
Majority 6,071 11.5 −2.7
Turnout 52,490 74.0 −1.0
Conservative hold Swing −1.4

Elections in the 1980s

General Election 1987: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Waldegrave 24,695 45.5 −3.6
Liberal George Robin Paget Ferguson 16,992 31.3 +1.9
Labour Mrs. Mary Caroline Georghiou 11,337 20.9 +1.4
Green Mrs. Gundula Audrey Dorey 1,096 2.0 N/A
Communist Miss Veronica Ralph 134 0.3 N/A
Majority 7,703 14.2 −5.5
Turnout 54,254 75.0 +4.3
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1983: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Waldegrave 25,400 49.1
Liberal George Robin Paget Ferguson 15,222 29.4
Labour Mrs. P.R. Tatlow 10,094 19.5
Ecology J.F.K. Scott 872 1.7
Independent S. Boyle 142 0.3
Majority 10,178 19.7
Turnout 51,730 70.7
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s

General Election 1979: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Waldegrave 22,257 52.6
Labour V. Bath 9,691 22.9
Liberal B. Silver 8,881 21.0
Ecology J.K. Ingham 1,154 2.7
National Front M. Jones 246 0.6
Independent R.R. Redmore 93 0.2
Majority 12,566 29.7
Turnout 71.6
Conservative hold Swing
General Election October 1974: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 18,555 46.9
Liberal R.G.R. Stacey 11,598 29.3
Labour J. Malos 9,372 23.7
Majority 6,957 17.6
Turnout 65.4
Conservative hold Swing
General Election February 1974: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 21,141 48.3
Liberal R.G.R. Stacey 13,076 29.9
Labour J. Malos 9,526 21.8
Majority 8,065 18.4
Turnout 72.7
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1970: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 20,110 60.2
Labour D.J. Blackman 8,175 24.5
Liberal R.G.R. Stacey 5,108 15.3
Majority 11,935 35.7
Turnout 66.3
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General Election 1966: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 19,783 56.7
Labour L.W. Bosisto 8,265 23.7
Liberal R.G.R. Stacey 6,850 19.6
Majority 11,518 33.0
Turnout 72.2
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1964: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 21,230 58.0
Liberal K.B. Wedmore 7,366 20.1
Labour D. McLaren 7,306 20.0
Taxpayers' Coalition Party P.M. Kingston 709 1.9
Majority 13,864 37.9
Turnout 73.2
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General Election 1959: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 27,768 67.3
Labour Michael Cocks 7,651 18.6
Liberal Colin Allen Hart-Leverton 5,835 14.1
Majority 20,117 48.7
Turnout 73.6
Conservative hold Swing
Bristol West by-election 7 March 1957
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert G. Cooke 24,585 70.2
Labour William Rodgers 10,423 29.8
Majority 14,162 40.4
Turnout 61.1
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1955: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Walter T. Monckton 32,767 75.3
Labour Walter Hamlet Johnson 10,766 24.7
Majority 22,001 50.6
Turnout 74.6
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1951: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Walter T. Monckton 25,858 63.6
Labour H. Lawrance 11,716 28.8
Liberal David Goldblatt 3,115 7.7
Majority 14,142 34.8
Turnout 80.6
Conservative hold Swing
Bristol West by-election 15 February 1951
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Sir Walter T. Monckton 22,216 81.4
Labour H. Lawrance 5,072 18.6
Majority 17,144 62.8
Turnout 53.6
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1950: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Oliver F.G. Stanley 24,920 58.9
Labour E.S. Bishop 12,677 30.0
Liberal Miss Hilda Nuttall 4,688 11.1
Majority 12,243 28.9
Turnout 82.4
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1940s

General Election 1945: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Oliver F.G. Stanley 32,149 48.6
Labour William Edward Balmer 25,163 38.0
Liberal Desmond Allhusen 8,849 13.4
Majority 6,986 10.6
Turnout 74.7
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1930s

General Election 1935: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cyril Thomas Culverwell 36,820 71.0
Labour Percy Williams 15,058 29.0
Majority 21,762 42.0
Turnout 70.8
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1931: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cyril Thomas Culverwell 43,264 83.0
Labour F.E. White 8,875 17.0
Majority 34,389 66.0
Turnout 79.3
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s

General Election 1929: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cyril Thomas Culverwell 25,416 53.7
Labour Lady Clare Annesley 11,961 25.3
Liberal W. Nichols Marcy 9,909 21.0
Majority 13,455 28.4
Turnout 77.7
Conservative hold Swing
Bristol West by-election February 1928
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cyril Thomas Culverwell 16,970 57.2
Labour Lady Clare Annesley 7,702 26.0
Liberal W. Nichols Marcy 4,996 16.8
Majority 9,268 31.2
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1924: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Col. George A. Gibbs 23,574 79.0
Labour M. Giles 6,276 21.0
Majority 17,298 58.0
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1923: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Col. George A. Gibbs Unopposed - -
Majority - -
Conservative hold Swing
General Election 1922: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Col. George A. Gibbs 18,124 62.0
Liberal Frank Walter Raffety 11,100 38.0
Majority 7,024 24.0
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1910s

General Election 1918: Bristol West
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Coalition Conservative Col. George A. Gibbs Unopposed -
Majority - -
Coalition Conservative hold Swing

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "Electorate Figures - Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Fifth Periodical Report" (PDF) 1. Boundary Commission for England. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 23 October 2010.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Election 2010: Bristol West". BBC News (BBC). 7 May 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  4. ↑ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 6)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 "UK ELECTION RESULTS". electionresults.blogspot.co.uk.
  6. ↑ "UK Polling Report". ukpollingreport.co.uk.
  7. ↑ http://www.classwarparty.org.uk/the-candidates/
  8. ↑ McNamara, Stephen (20 April 2010). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF). Acting Returning Officer, Bristol City Council. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  9. ↑ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 2010-12-06.

Coordinates: 51°27′47″N 2°36′30″W / 51.46301°N 2.60827°W