Exeter ( EK-sit-ər) is a constituency composed of the cathedral city and county town of Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Steve Race of the Labour Party.
History
The constituency existed continuously as a parliamentary borough/borough constituency, electing two MPs from 1295 (the Model Parliament) until 1885, when its representation was reduced to one MP by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.
The constituency has had a history of representatives from 1900 of Conservative, Liberal Party, Independent and Labour representation. Since 1997, it has been held by the Labour Party, which currently has a majority of over 10,000, suggesting this is a safe seat for the party.
Constituency profile
The constituency covers the majority of the city, including the University and the Met Office which are significant employers. As of 2022, median gross weekly in pay for full-time workers is below the figure for Great Britain as a whole but above that for South West England. Median hourly pay, however, is below that for both the region and for Great Britain. There are a large number of students for a small city.
Boundaries
1918–1950: The County Borough of Exeter.
1950–1974: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1974–1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1983–2010: The City of Exeter.
2010–2024: The City of Exeter wards of Alphington, Cowick, Duryard, Exwick, Heavitree, Mincinglake, Newtown, Pennsylvania, Pinhoe, Polsloe, Priory, St David's, St James, St Leonard's, St Thomas, and Whipton and Barton.
2024–present: The following wards of the City of Exeter (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
- Alphington, Duryard & St James, Exwick, Heavitree, Mincinglake & Whipton, Newtown & St Leonard's, Pennsylvania, Priory, St David's, and St Thomas.
The constituency currently covers most of the city of Exeter in Devon. It covered the entire city until 2010, when, under the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which increased the number of seats in the county from 11 to 12, two wards of the City of Exeter (St Loyes and Topsham) were transferred to the neighbouring East Devon constituency.
The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies concluded that the electoral wards of Pinhoe, St Loyes and Topsham (which incorporates part of the Countess Wear area) would be included in the new constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East.
Members of Parliament
MPs 1295–1660
MPs 1660–1885
Two members
MPs since 1885
Elections
Elections in the 2020s
Elections in the 2010s
Elections in the 2000s
Elections in the 1990s
Elections in the 1980s
Elections in the 1970s
Elections in the 1960s
Elections in the 1950s
Election 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;
- Conservative: Arthur Reed
- Labour: William Robert Robins
- Liberal: Henry Gebhardt
- British Union: Rafe Temple Cotton
Elections in the 1920s
Election results 1885–1918
Elections in the 1880s
Elections in the 1890s
Elections in the 1900s
Elections in the 1910s
Upon petition, this election was subject to a recount due to the closeness of the results. On the first count, St. Maur led with 4,786 votes to Duke's 4,782. On a second count, St. Maur again led with 4,782 votes to Duke's 4,778. Closer scrutiny led to the above count, allowing Duke to retain the seat.
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 July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
- Unionist: Henry Duke
- Liberal:
Duke is appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, prompting a by-election.
Duke is appointed Lord Justice of Appeal and resigns, prompting a by-election.
Election results 1868–1880
Elections in the 1860s
Coleridge was appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Elections in the 1870s
Coleridge resigned after being appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
Elections in the 1880s
Election results 1832–1868
Elections in the 1830s
Elections in the 1840s
Follett was appointed Solicitor General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Follett was appointed Attorney General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Follett's death caused a by-election.
Elections in the 1850s
Elections in the 1860s
Divett's death caused a by-election.
Elections before 1832
See also
- List of parliamentary constituencies in Devon
Notes
References
External links
- Exeter UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
- Exeter UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
- Exeter UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK
