Windsor /ˈwɪnzə/ is a constituency[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2005 by Adam Afriyie of the Conservative Party.[n 2]
Boundaries
The constituency covers the town of Windsor and various portions of the surrounding area, in Berkshire.[n 3]
Before 1868: The parliamentary borough of Windsor[n 4] was based upon the easternmost town in Berkshire in South East England, which grew up around Windsor Castle and the narrowly defined electorate could also vote for the county representatives.
1868–1918: The boundaries of the parliamentary borough were extended by the Parliamentary Boundaries Act 1868 (31 & 32 Vict., c. 46). The north boundary of the constituency was on the River Thames, which was then the border between Buckinghamshire which had a seat of the same name and Berkshire, likewise the rest of the borough adjoined the Berkshire county constituency. Between 1885–1918 the seat to the north of the Thames was the Wycombe division of Buckinghamshire and the other neighbouring constituency was the Wokingham division of Berkshire.
1918–1950: The parliamentary borough was abolished and replaced by a county division named Windsor. The local government areas (as they existed in 1918) which comprised the constituency were the Municipal Boroughs of New Windsor, and Maidenhead, with the Rural Districts of Cookham, Easthampstead, Windsor and a part of Wokingham.
1950–1974: The constituency was reduced in size by the Representation of the People Act 1948, so it comprised the Municipal Boroughs of New Windsor and Maidenhead, with the Rural Districts of Cookham and Windsor. In 1974 the same area less Eton and Bracknell was included in a new constituency named Windsor and Maidenhead; this area plus Eton became the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead established in 1974.
1997–2010: In 1997 the Windsor constituency was recreated to sever off the expanded town of Maidenhead to the northwest and with it Cookham. Instead Windsor was joined by Eton and part of Slough Borough Council north of the Thames. Wards were: from the Borough of Bracknell Forest: Ascot, Cranbourne and St Mary's; from the Borough of Slough : Foxborough ward. The remainder of the seat, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, comprised the wards of Bray, Castle, Clewer North, Clewer South, Datchet, Eton North and South, Eton West, Horton and Wraysbury, Old Windsor, Park, Sunningdale and South Ascot, Sunninghill and Trinity.[2]
In 1998 there was a small re-alignment of county boundaries in the north east corner of Berkshire. This transferred to Slough a small polling district from Surrey and another from Buckinghamshire to form Colnbrook and Poyle[3] This new Slough ward of (since renamed Colnbrook with Poyle) was selected for the Windsor constituency, though involved two polling districts (the typically three-four subdivisions of wards).
2010–present: the constituency has the electoral wards:-
- Ascot, Binfield with Warfield, Warfield Harvest Rise, and Winkfield and Cranbourne from the Borough of Bracknell Forest:
- Colnbrook with Poyle from the Borough of Slough:
- Ascot and Cheapside, Castle Without, Clewer East, Clewer North, Clewer South, Datchet, Eton and Castle, Eton Wick, Horton and Wraysbury, Old Windsor, Park, Sunningdale, Sunninghill and South Ascot wards.[4]from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Constituency profile
The re-created constituency, from 1997, has continued a trend of large Conservative Party majorities. In local elections the major opposition party has been the Liberal Democrats, who have had councillors particularly in the town of Windsor itself. Affluent villages and small towns along the River Thames and around the Great Park have continued to contribute to large Conservative majorities, from Wraysbury to Ascot.
Containing one of the least social welfare-dependent demographics and among the highest property prices, the seat has the third highest Conservative share of the vote in the country. At the 2010 election, only two areas voted more strongly towards the Conservative Party: Richmond (Yorks) foremost followed by Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire.[5]
History
Windsor has had parliamentary representation for centuries, first sending a member in 1301, and continuously from 1424. It elected two members of parliament until 1868, when the constituency was reformed and its representation reduced to one MP. In 1974, the constituency was abolished and a similar one, Windsor and Maidenhead was created. However, in 1997 the constituency was recreated.
The early political history of the area was strongly influenced by the monarch and members of his or her family. Windsor Castle has been an important royal residence throughout the history of the constituency.
17th Century
The pre-1832 franchise of the borough was held by inhabitants paying scot and lot (a local tax). On 2 May 1689 the House of Commons had decided that the electorate should be limited to the members of Windsor Corporation. This was disputed after the next election, in 1690, when the Mayor submitted two returns of different members. The House of Commons reversed the decision of the previous Parliament and confirmed the scot and lot franchise.
18th Century
There were 278 electors in 1712. Namier and Brooke estimated that, in 1754–1790, there were about 300 electors.
During part of the 18th century the Duke of Cumberland (son of King George II) and the Beauclerk family (descended from King Charles II) had political interests in the borough.
King George III became personally involved in the hotly contested 1780 general election. George encouraged local landowner Peniston Portlock Powney to stand by paying him £2,500 from the King's personal account. The King wished to defeat Admiral Keppel (later Viscount Keppel), an incumbent. The monarch went so far as to canvass tradesmen who dealt with the royal household. After this royal interference in the election, Keppel lost by a narrow 16 votes. Namier and Brooke suggest the Windsor electorate had an independent streak and were difficult to manage.
19th Century
In 1832 a new property based franchise replaced the scot and lot qualification. Under the new system, there were 507 registered electors in 1832. The borough representatives before the Reform Act 1832 included soldiers and people connected with the Royal Household, such as Sir Richard Hussey Vivian (MP 1826–1831) and Sir Herbert Taylor (MP 1820–1823). The constituency also returned politicians prominent in national politics, like the Duke of Wellington's elder brother the Earl of Mornington in the 1780s and 1790s or the future Prime Minister Edward Stanley (subsequently the Earl of Derby) in the early 1830s).
The Ramsbottom family filled one seat from 1806 until 1845. The borough had been loyal to the King's Pittite/Tory ministers in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, but became more favourable to the Whig interest after John Ramsbottom (MP 1810–1845) was elected.
By the 1860s the monarch had ceased to interfere in local affairs. The borough fell under the patronage of Colonel R. Richardson-Gardner. Richardson-Gardner was a local landowner, who caused some animosity when following the 1868 general election he evicted tenants who did not support him at the polls. This was the last Parliamentary election the Conservatives lost in Windsor.
Despite (or perhaps because of) his methods, Richardson-Gardner was elected to Parliament in 1874.
20th Century
Successive Conservative MPs, before the First World War, had considerable influence in the constituency; especially when they subscribed generously to local institutions such as a hospital.
The county division created in 1918 combined the town of Windsor, with territory to its west, south and east which had formerly been in the Wokingham division. The incumbent MP for Wokingham up to 1918, Ernest Gardner, was the first representative of the expanded Windsor constituency. The Conservative Party retained the seat continuously, until 1974 when a Windsor constituency temporarily disappeared from the House of Commons.
Members of Parliament
Burgesses in the English Parliament 1510–1707
As there were sometimes significant gaps between Parliaments held in this period, the dates of first assembly and dissolution are given. Where the name of the member has not yet been ascertained or (in the 16th century) is not recorded in a surviving document, the entry unknown is entered in the table.
The Roman numerals after some names are those used in The House of Commons 1509–1558 and The House of Commons 1558–1603 to distinguish a member from another politician of the same name.
MPs 1707–1868
MPs 1868–1974
MPs 1997–present
Elections
Elections 1997–2017
| Election |
Political result |
Candidate |
Party |
Votes |
% |
±% |
General Election 2015 [37][38]
Electorate: 71,554
Turnout: 50,160 (70.1%) -1.2 | | Conservative hold
Majority: 25,083 (50.0%) +11.6 | | Adam Afriyie | Conservative | 31,797 | 63.4 | +2.6 |
| Fiona Dent | Labour | 6,714 | 13.4 | +3.5 |
| Tariq Malik | UKIP | 4,992 | 10.0 | +7.7 |
| George Fussey | Liberal Democrat | 4,323 | 8.6 | -13.8 |
| Derek Wall | Green | 1,834 | 3.7 | +2.4 |
| Wisdom Da Costa | Independent | 500 | 1.0 | N/A |
General Election 2010 [39]
Turnout: 49,588 (71.3%) +7.2 | | Conservative hold
Majority: 19,054 (38.4%) +16.1
Swing: 8.1% from Lib Dem to Con | | Adam Afriyie | Conservative | 30,172 | 60.8 | +11.4 |
| Julian Tisi | Liberal Democrat | 11,118 | 22.4 | −4.7 |
| Amanjit Jhund | Labour | 4,910 | 9.9 | −8.0 |
| John-Paul Rye | UKIP | 1,612 | 3.3 | +0.6 |
| Peter Phillips | BNP | 950 | 1.9 | N/A |
| Derek Wall | Green | 628 | 1.3 | −1.1 |
| Peter Hooper | Independent | 198 | 0.4 | N/A |
General Election 2005 [40][41]
Turnout: 43,691 (65.4%) +8.4 | | Conservative hold
Majority: 10,292 (23.6%) +2.5
Swing: 1.2% from Lib Dem to Con | | Adam Afriyie | Conservative | 21,646 | 49.5 | +2.2 |
| Antony Wood | Liberal Democrat | 11,354 | 26.0 | −0.1 |
| Mark Muller | Labour | 8,339 | 19.1 | −5.0 |
| David Black | UKIP | 1,098 | 2.5 | +0.0 |
| Derek Wall | Green | 1,074 | 2.5 | N/A |
| Peter Hooper | Independent | 182 | 0.4 | N/A |
General Election 2001 [42][43]
Turnout: 42,096 (57.0%) −16.5 | | Conservative hold
Majority: 8,889 (21.1%) +1.6
Swing: 0.8% from Lib Dem to Con | | Michael Trend | Conservative | 19,900 | 47.3 | −0.9 |
| Nick Pinfield | Liberal Democrat | 11,011 | 26.1 | −2.6 |
| Mark Muller | Labour | 10,137 | 24.1 | +5.8 |
| John Fagan | UKIP | 1,062 | 2.5 | +1.9 |
General Election 1997 [44][45][46][47]
Electorate: 69,132
Turnout: 50,781 (73.5%) N/A | | Conservative win
Majority: 9,917 (19.5%) −7.7
Swing: 3.9% from Con to Lib Dem | | Michael Trend | Conservative | 24,476 | 48.2 | −8.1 |
| Chris Fox | Liberal Democrat | 14,559 | 28.7 | −0.4 |
| Amanda Williams | Labour | 9,287 | 18.3 | +5.9 |
| James McDermott | Referendum | 1,676 | 3.3 | N/A |
| Paul Bradshaw | Liberal | 388 | 0.8 | N/A |
| E. Bigg | UKIP | 302 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Ronald Parr | Dynamic | 93 | 0.2 | N/A |
Elections 1950-73
Elections in the 1970s
Elections in the 1960s
Elections in the 1950s
Elections 1910-1945
Elections in the 1940s
Elections in the 1930s
General Election 1939/40
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 and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;
Elections in the 1920s
Elections in the 1910s
General Election 1914/15
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 the July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
- Unionist: James Francis Mason
- Liberal: James Alexander Browning
Elections 1885-1909
Elections in the 1900s
Elections in the 1890s
Barry
Elections in the 1880s
Elections 1868–1880
The bloc vote electoral system was used in two seat elections and first past the post for single member by-elections and general elections from 1868. Each voter had up to as many votes as there were seats to be filled. Votes had to be cast by a spoken declaration, in public, at the hustings (until the secret ballot was introduced in 1872).
Elections 1690–1866
Note on percentage change calculations: Where there was only one candidate of a party in successive elections, for the same number of seats, change is calculated on the party percentage vote. Where there was more than one candidate, in one or both successive elections for the same number of seats, then change is calculated on the individual percentage vote.
Note on sources: The information for the election results given below is taken from Cruickshanks et al. 1690–1715, Sedgwick 1715–1754, Namier and Brooke 1754–1790, Stooks Smith 1790–1832 and from Craig thereafter. Where Stooks Smith gives additional information or differs from the other sources this is indicated in a note after the result. When a candidate is described as Non Partisan for an election this means that the sources used do not give a party label. This does not necessarily mean that the candidate did not regard himself as a member of a party or acted as such in Parliament. Craig's party labels have been varied to take account of the development of parties. Tory candidates are classified as Conservative from the United Kingdom general election, 1835. Whig and Radical candidates are classified separately until the formal establishment of the Liberal Party shortly after the United Kingdom general election, 1859.
Elections in the 1860s
- Note (1865): Turnout is estimated, in the same way as for 1857. This election was declared void on petition.
- Note (1863): The full names of Richard Vyse were Richard Henry Richard Howard Vyse.
Elections in the 1850s
- Note (1859): Turnout estimated as in 1857. A petition was presented after this election, but it was withdrawn before a formal decision was made upon it.
- Note (1857): As the number of electors who voted is unascertained, the minimum turnout is calculated by dividing the number of votes by two. To the extent that voters did not use both their votes the turnout figure will be an underestimate.
- Note (1852): A petition was presented against Wellesley only, but it was dismissed.
Elections in the 1840s
- Note (1841): Later in his career Ralph Neville became known as Ralph Neville Grenville. A petition was presented challenging this election, but it was withdrawn before a decision was obtained.
Elections in the 1830s
- On petition de Beauvoir was unseated and Elley was seated on 6 April 1835, following a scrutiny.
- Note (1835): John Walter was a candidate, but he retired from the contest before the election.
Note (1832): Stooks Smith classified Ramsbottom as a Radical candidate from this election. However as Stenton, editing a book composed of Parliamentary biographies published by a contemporary after the Reform Act 1832, described Ramsbottom as being 'of Whig principles' he continues to be classified as a Whig in this article.
- Seat vacated on the appointment of Vivian as Commander of the Forces in Ireland
Elections in the 1820s
- Note (1820): From this election Stooks Smith does not append junior to the name of John Ramsbottom.
Elections in the 1810s
- Resignation of Ramsbottom
Elections in the 1800s
By-Election 1804: Windsor
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Tory |
Arthur Vansittart |
200 |
55.10 |
N/A |
|
Tory |
Anthony Bacon |
163 |
44.90 |
N/A |
| Majority |
37 |
10.19 |
N/A |
| Turnout |
363 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Tory hold |
Swing |
N/A |
|
- Seat vacated when Williams was declared not duly elected
- Seat vacated on the appointment of Greville as a Groom of the Bedchamber
Elections in the 1790s
By-Election February 1797: Windsor
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Tory |
Sir William Johnson, Bt |
141 |
81.50 |
N/A |
|
Non Partisan |
William Vining Perry |
32 |
18.50 |
N/A |
| Majority |
109 |
63.01 |
N/A |
| Turnout |
173 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Tory hold |
Swing |
N/A |
|
Elections in the 1780s
By-Election 1 July 1788: Windsor
| Party |
Candidate |
Votes |
% |
± |
|
Tory |
Peniston Portlock Powney |
Unopposed |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Tory hold |
Swing |
N/A |
|
- Seat vacated on the appointment of Powney as Ranger of the Little Park.
- Death of Hussey-Montagu
- Note (1787): Lord John Russell was a candidate, but declined going to the poll.
- Note (1784): The Lord Penrhyn was proposed, but declined going to the poll.
Elections in the 1770s
- Death of Tonson.
- Note (1772): Both Stooks Smith and Napier & Brooke refer to this MP as the Hon. John Montagu.
Elections in the 1760s
- Seat vacated on the appointment of Keppel to an office.
Elections in the 1750s
Elections in the 1740s
- Seat vacated on the appointment of Fox to an office.
Elections in the 1730s
- Seat vacated after the appointment of Lord Vere Beauclerk to an office.
- A double return was made. The House of Commons decided the correct result was Beauclerk 240 (60.00%) and Oldfield 160 (40.00%); a majority of 80 (20.00%). Beauclerk was declared duly elected on 27 March 1738.
- Seat vacated on the appointment of Beauclerk as a Commissioner of the Navy.
Elections in the 1720s
Elections in the 1710s
- On petition, Wren and Gayer were unseated and Ashurst and Travers were seated on 14 April 1715.
Elections in the 1700s
Elections in the 1690s
- Death of Adderley, in June 1693
- Note: There is a discrepancy between sources, as The House of Common 1690–1715 indicates that Wren was elected at this election; whereas Leigh Rayment indicates Sir Algernon May was re-elected; both with Baptist May.
- On petition, Wren and May were unseated and Porter and Adderley were seated on 17 May 1690.
See also
Notes and references
- Notes
- ↑ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
- ↑ As with all constituencies in their modern form, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years, until 1868 the constituency as a parliamentary borough had the right to send two to most Parliaments.
- ↑ From 1974 the local government county boundary changed to add to Berkshire part of the territory north of the Thames. Eton, Horton and Wraysbury were put into Windsor's borough. Currently Colnbrook in Slough Borough Council is in the seat but the Commission intend to add this to Spelthorne and exchange it for another Slough ward
- ↑ Sometimes known as New Windsor to distinguish it from the adjoining settlement of Old Windsor which was at the time still in Surrey
- ↑ Date of Pride's Purge, which converted the Long Parliament into the Rump Parliament
- ↑ Date when Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament by force.
- ↑ Date when the members of the nominated or Barebones Parliament were selected. The parliamentary borough of Windsor was not represented in this body.
- ↑ Date when the members of the First Protectorate Parliament were elected. The parliamentary borough of Windsor was not represented in this body. Windsor formed part of the county constituency of Berkshire for this Parliament.
- ↑ Date when the members of the Second Protectorate Parliament were elected. The parliamentary borough of Windsor was not represented in this body. Windsor formed part of the county constituency of Berkshire for this Parliament.
- ↑ The Rump Parliament was recalled and subsequently Pride's Purge was reversed, allowing the full Long Parliament to meet until it agreed to dissolve itself.
- ↑ The MPs of the last Parliament of England and 45 members co-opted from the former Parliament of Scotland, became the House of Commons of the 1st Parliament of Great Britain which assembled on 23 October 1707 (see below for the members in that Parliament).
- References
- ↑ "Electorate Figures – Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
- ↑ Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995 (SI 1995/1626)
- ↑ The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) (Miscellaneous Changes) Order 1998 (SI 1998/3152).
- ↑ Legislation Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007 (SI 2007/1681)
- ↑ Electoral Calculus columns
- ↑ "Legh, Thomas (LH526T)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- 1 2 Died.
- ↑ Chose to sit for Sussex
- ↑ Died, April 1676.
- ↑ Died, June 1693.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "W" (part 4)
- ↑ Died in office, May 1711
- ↑ To the House of Lords as Lord Masham, January 1712
- 1 2 Not duly elected
- ↑ To the House of Lords, having succeeded to a dukedom, May 1726
- ↑ To the House of Lords, having succeeded to an earldom, May 1730
- ↑ Died November 1744
- ↑ Died May 1768
- ↑ Died 1772
- ↑ Died 1787
- ↑ Died in office, January 1794
- 1 2 A peer of Ireland
- ↑ Died in office, February 1796
- ↑ Declared not duly elected
- ↑ Died in office, February 1819
- ↑ Resigned, March 1810
- ↑ Resigned, February 1823
- ↑ Resigned on appointment as Commander of Forces in Ireland, February 1831
- ↑ Unseated on petition
- ↑ Seated after a scrutiny
- ↑ Died 1852
- ↑ Resigned 1850
- ↑ Resigned 1855
- ↑ Contested the 1865 general election as a Liberal candidate.
- ↑ Died 1863
- 1 2 Election declared void on petition
- ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001042
- ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ↑ http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge05/i21.htm
- ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ↑ http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/272.htm
- ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ↑ "Politics Resources". Election 1997. Politics Resources. 1 May 1997. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
- ↑ C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies, p.177 (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)
- ↑ The 1997 election result is calculated relative to a notional 1992 result, as the constituency was re-established in 1997.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 British Parliamentary Election Results 1950-1973, FWS Craig
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Times House of Commons, 1950-70
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949, FWS Craig
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918, FWS Craig
- ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
- ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 The Liberal Year Book, 1907
- ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
- ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
- ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
- ↑ Constituency reduced to one seat and electorate expanded by the Reform Act 1867, with the constituency boundaries changed by the Parliamentary Boundaries Act 1868, to take effect from the next general election.
Sources
- A Chronological Register of Both Houses of the British Parliament. Robert Beatson, 1807.
- Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885–1972, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Parliamentary Reference Publications 1972)
- British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1977)
- British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1974)
- British Parliamentary Election Results 1918–1949, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press, revised edition 1977)
- British Parliamentary Election Results 1950–1973, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Parliamentary Research Services 1983).
- The House of Commons 1690–1715, by Eveline Cruickshanks, Stuart Handley and D.W. Hayton (Cambridge University Press 2002)
- The House of Commons 1715–1754, by Romney Sedgwick (HMSO 1970)
- The House of Commons 1754–1790, by Sir Lewis Namier and John Brooke (HMSO 1964)
- Social Geography of British Elections 1885–1910, by Henry Pelling (Macmillan 1967)
- The Parliaments of England by Henry Stooks Smith (1st edition published in three volumes 1844–50), second edition edited (in one volume) by F.W.S. Craig (Political Reference Publications 1973))
- Who's Who of British members of parliament: Volume I 1832–1885, edited by M. Stenton (The Harvester Press 1976)
- Who's Who of British members of parliament, Volume II 1886–1918, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1978)
- Who's Who of British members of parliament, Volume III 1919–1945, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1979)
- Who's Who of British members of parliament, Volume IV 1945–1979, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1981)
