Lewes (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Lewes
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Lewes (UK Parliament constituency)
Boundaries since 2024
South East England - Lewes constituency.svg
Boundary of Lewes in South East England
County East Sussex
Electorate 75,091 (2023) [1]
Major settlements
Current constituency
Created1295
Member of Parliament James MacCleary (Liberal Democrats)

Lewes is a constituency [n 1] in East Sussex represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by James MacCleary, a Liberal Democrat.

Contents

Constituency profile

The constituency includes the town of Lewes, most of the Lewes District, including the coastal towns of Seaford and Newhaven, Polegate and Alfriston all in outer parts of the London Commuter Belt, though with a high number of people who have retired from across the country. [2] The constituency excludes the District of Lewes District wards of East Saltdean and Telscombe Cliffs, Peacehaven East, Peacehaven North, and Peacehaven West (which since 1997 have been in the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency (formerly Brighton, Kemptown), and instead includes part of neighbouring Wealden District.

Boundaries

Historic

Lewes (UK Parliament constituency)
Map of 2010–2024 boundaries

1885–1918: The Borough of Brighton, the Sessional Divisions of Hove and Worthing, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Lewes and Steyning.

1918–1950: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Newhaven, Portslade-by-Sea, and Seaford, and the Rural Districts of Chailey, Newhaven, and Steyning East.

1950–1955: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Burgess Hill, Newhaven, and Seaford, the Rural District of Chailey, and parts of the Rural Districts of Cuckfield and Hailsham.

1955–1974: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Burgess Hill, Newhaven, and Seaford, the Rural District of Chailey, and part of the Rural District of Cuckfield.

1974–1983: The Borough of Lewes, the Urban Districts of Newhaven and Seaford, the Rural District of Chailey, and part of the Rural District of Hailsham.

1983–1997: The District of Lewes, and the District of Wealden wards of Alfriston, Arlington, and East Dean.

1997–2010: The District of Lewes wards of Barcombe, Chailey, Ditchling, Hamsey, Kingston, Lewes Bridge, Lewes Castle, Lewes Priory, Newhaven Denton, Newhaven Meeching, Newhaven Valley, Newick, Ouse Valley, Plumpton, Ringmer, Seaford Central, Seaford East, Seaford North, Seaford West, and Wivelsfield.

2010–2024: The District of Lewes wards of Barcombe and Hamsey, Chailey and Wivelsfield, Ditchling and Westmeston, Kingston, Lewes Bridge, Lewes Castle, Lewes Priory, Newhaven Denton and Meeching, Newhaven Valley, Newick, Ouse Valley and Ringmer, Plumpton, Streat, East Chiltington and St John Without, Seaford Central, Seaford East, Seaford North, Seaford South, and Seaford West. With the District of Wealden wards of Alfriston, Arlington, East Dean, Polegate North, and Polegate South.

Current

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

Three small rural District of Lewes wards were included in the newly created constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield, offset by the addition of parts of the District of Wealden, including the communities of Willingdon (from Eastbourne) and Stone Cross (from Bexhill and Battle).

History

The constituency of Lewes has existed since commoners were first summoned to Parliament in 1295, the Model Parliament. This is the county town, though less significant in population today, far surpassed by the City of Brighton and Hove — it has nonetheless been continuously represented since that date.

Until 1885, Lewes was a Parliamentary Borough; until 1868, it was represented by two MPs in the House of Common. This was reduced to one by the Reform Act 1867. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the seat was converted to a division of the county of Sussex.

From 1874 until 1997, the constituency's electorate returned only Conservative MPs. In the 1997 general election, the seat was won by Norman Baker for the Liberal Democrats. He retained the seat at the subsequent three elections until he was defeated at the 2015 general election by the Conservative's Maria Caulfield. She won again in 2017 and 2019, but was defeated at the 2024 general election by James MacCleary of the Liberal Democrats.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1295–1660

ParliamentFirst memberSecond member
1295 Gervasius de Wolvehope Ricardus le Palmere [4]
1297No return [4]
1298 Gervasius de Wolvehope Williemus Serverleg [4]
1300/1 Reginaldus de Combe Rogerus Coppyng [4]
1302 Gervasius de Wolvehope Ricardus le Palmere [4]
1304/5 Galfridus de Wolvehope Walterus Nyng [4]
1307 Robertus le Bynt Walterus le Fust [4]
1309 Simon Tring Johannes Arnald [4]
1311 Simon Tring Ricardus le Hurt [4]
1313 (Jul) Willielmus de la Chapele Galfridus de Wolvehope [4]
1313 (Sep) Simon Tring Johannes Gouman [4]
1319 Willielmus Walewere Henricus de Rudham [4]
1320 Thomas atte Novene Radulphus atte Lote [4]
1322 (May) Philippus le Mareschal Thomas de Lofelde [4]
1322 (Nov) Robertus le Spicer Ricardus le Poleter [4]
1323 Willielmus Walewere Robertus le Spicer [4]
1327No return [4]
1328 Willielmus Darnel Johannes le Bake [4]
1329/30 Walterus atte Markette Ricardus le Hurt [4]
1330 Thomas Comyn Stephanus le Boche [4]
1331/2 Thomas Comyn Johannes Scoteryld [4]
1333/4 Robertus ? [4]
1334–1347No names known [4]
1348 Ricardus Ploket Johannes Payn [4]
1350 Willielmus Gardyner Willielmus Darnel [4]
1354 Willielmus Darnel Willielmus Gardiner [4]
1355 Willielmus Darnel Willielmus Gardiner [4]
1357/8 Robertus atte Brouke Ricardus Crompe [4]
1360 Thomas Lyndefelde Willielmus Bocher [4]
1360/1 Ricardus Ferour de Lewes Thomas Lyndefeld [4]
1362 Robertus Norton Willielmus Swon [4]
1363 Willielmus Spicer Thomas Norays [4]
1366 Willielmus Boteller Stephanus Holte [4]
1368 Robertus de York Robertus Norton [4]
1369 Robertus de York Jacobus Ferrour [4]
1371 Henricus Werkeman [4]
1372 Jacobus Ferour Thomas Norays [4]
1373 Robertus de York Stephanus Holte [4]
1376/7 Willielmus Spicer Jacobus Ferour [4]
1378 Jacobus Ferour Johannes Shereve [4]
1379/80 Robertus de York Johannes Peyntour [4]
1381 Henricus Werkeman Robertus Norton [4]
1382 Henricus Werkeman Thomas Norrys [4]
1382/3 Stephanus Holte Johannes Goderyk [4]
1383 Robertus de York Willielmus Spicer [4]
1384 Thomas Norrys Willielmus Spicer [4]
1385 Thomas Norris Stephen Holt [4]
1388 (Feb) Stephen Holt Thomas Norris [5]
1388 (Sep) Richard atte Gate Walter Gosselyn [5]
1390 (Jan)
1390 (Nov)
1391 John Bedford Thomas Norris [5]
1393 William Chepelond John Godeman [5]
1394
1395 John Maryot John Sadeler [5]
1397 (Jan) John Godeman John Plomer [5]
1397 (Sep) John Godeman John Maryot [5]
1399 William Chepelond John Maryot [5]
1401 John Mason John Maryot [5]
1402 Robert Bynt John Maryot [5]
1404 (Jan)
1404 (Oct)
1406 Roger Forster William Green [5]
1407 Roger Forster William Hyde [5]
1410
1411
1413 (Feb)
1413 (May) Andrew Blake John Maryot [5]
1414 (Apr)
1414 (Nov) John Hert Robert Lytcombe [5]
1415
1416 (Mar) William Chepelond William Northampton [5]
1416 (Oct)
1417 John Gosselyn John Parker [5]
1419 Andrew Blake William Fagger [5]
1420 John Gosselyn Thomas White [5]
1421 (May) William Fagger William Northampton [5]
1421 (Dec) Thomas White William Wodefold [5]
1422 William Vaggere Andreas Mauffay [4]
1423 William Wodefold Andreas Mafay [4]
1425 William Fagger John Gosselyn [4]
1425/6 William Penbrugge William Feret [4]
1427 John Godeman Roger Forster [4]
1429 Thomas White John Gosselyn [4]
1430/1 John Rodys Richard Brasier [4]
1432 Thomas White William Penbrygge [4]
1433 John Rodys William Penbrygge [4]
1435 Thomas White John Wody [4]
1436/7 William Thwaytes John Hanmere [4]
1441/2 Edward Mylle Giles Wodefold [4]
1446/7 Robert Wodefold Thomas Best [4]
1448/9 (Feb) Giles Wodefold William Godeman [4]
1449 (Nov) John Southwell William Delve [4]
1450 John Southwell John Beckwith [4]
1452/3John Parker John Southwell [4]
1459 Richard Fairegoo Thomas Sherman [4]
1460John BeckwithThomas Best [4]
1467 Thomas Lewknor John Sherman [4]
1472 Christopher Furnes William Cook [4]
1477/8William Cooke John Baker [4]
1510–1523No names known [6]
1529 Sir Edward Bray John Batenore [6]
1536 ?
1539 ?
1542 John Kyme  ? [6]
1545 ?
1547 Sir Walter Mildmay Sir Anthony Cooke [6]
1553 (Mar) John Southcote Thomas Gravesend [6]
1553 (Oct) Sir Henry Hussey George Darrell [6]
1554 (Apr) Robert Gage George Darrell [6]
1554 (Nov) John Stempe John Morley [6]
1555 William Devenish Thomas Gravesend [6]
1558 John Gage William Peterson [6]
1558/9 George Goring I Thomas Saunder [7]
1562/3 George Goring I William Cantrell [7]
1571 William Morley Edward Fenner [7]
1572 Edward Bellingham John Shirley [7]
1584 Richard Browne Thomas Pelham [7]
1586 Richard Browne Francis Alford [7]
1588 Robert Sackville John Shirley [7]
1593 Sir Henry Glemham George Goring II [7]
1597 Sir Henry Glemham John Shirley [7]
1601 George Goring II Goddard Pemberton, sat for Peterborough
and replaced by
Sir Percival Hart [7]
1604 John Shirley Sir Henry Nevill
1614 Christopher Neville Richard Amhurst
1621 Sir George Goring Richard Amhurst
1624 Sir George Goring Christopher Neville
1625 Sir George Goring Sir George Rivers
1626 Sir George Goring Sir George Rivers
Feb 1628 Anthony Stapley Sir George Goring
Jul 1628 Anthony Stapley Jerome Weston
1629–1640No Parliaments summoned
1640 (Apr) Anthony Stapley, sat for Sussex
replaced by
Herbert Morley [8]
James Rivers
1641 Herbert Morley Henry Shelley
1645 Herbert Morley Henry Shelley
1648 Herbert Morley Henry Shelley
1653Lewes not represented in Barebones Parliament
1654 Henry Shelley (one seat only)
1656 Anthony Stapley (one seat only)
1659 Herbert Morley Richard Boughton

MPs 1660–1868

ElectionFirst member [9] First partySecond member [9] Second party
1660 Nizel Rivers Sir John Stapley
1661 Sir Thomas Woodcock
Feb 1679 William Morley Richard Bridger
Aug 1679 Thomas Pelham
1695 Henry Pelham
Jan 1701 Sir Thomas Trevor
Nov 1701 Henry Pelham
Jul 1702 Richard Payne
Nov 1702 Sir Nicholas Pelham
1705 Thomas Pelham
May 1708 Peter Gott
Dec 1708 Samuel Gott
1710 Peter Gott
1712 John Morley Trevor
1719 Philip Yorke
1722 Henry Pelham
1726 Sir Nicholas Pelham
1727 Thomas Pelham
1738 John Trevor
1741 Thomas Pelham
1743 Sir John Shelley Sir Francis Poole
1747 Thomas Sergison
1763 William Plumer
1766 Lord Edward Bentinck
1768 Thomas Hampden Whig Thomas Hay
1774 Sir Thomas Miller, Bt
1780 Henry Pelham Thomas Kemp
1796 John Cressett-Pelham
1802 Henry Shelley Tory [10] Lord Francis Osborne Tory [10]
1806 Thomas Kemp Whig [10]
1811 Thomas Read Kemp Whig [10]
1812 Sir George Shiffner Tory [10]
1816 John Shelley Tory [10]
1826 Thomas Read Kemp Whig [10]
1831 Sir Charles Blunt, Bt Whig [10] [11] [12]
1837 Henry FitzRoy Conservative [10] [11]
1840 Viscount Cantelupe Conservative [10]
1841 Summers Harford Radical [13] [14] Sir Howard Elphinstone Radical [13] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19]
1842 Henry FitzRoy Conservative
1847 Peelite [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] Robert Perfect Whig [25] [26]
1852 Henry Brand Whig [20]
1859 Liberal Liberal
1860 John Blencowe Liberal
1865 Lord Pelham Liberal
1868 Representation reduced to one

MPs since 1868

ElectionMember [9] Party
1868 Walter Pelham Liberal
1874 William Christie Conservative
1885 Sir Henry Aubrey-Fletcher Conservative
1910 by-election William Campion Conservative
1924 by-election Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish Conservative
1931 John Loder Conservative
1936 by-election Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish Conservative
1945 Tufton Victor Hamilton Beamish Conservative
February 1974 Tim Rathbone Conservative
1997 Norman Baker Liberal Democrat
2015 Maria Caulfield Conservative
2024 James MacCleary Liberal Democrat

Elections since 1918

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Lewes [27]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats James MacCleary 26,895 50.6 +9.5
Conservative Maria Caulfield 14,27126.8−21.7
Reform UK Bernard Brown6,33511.9+11.7
Labour Danny Sweeney3,5746.7−0.4
Green Paul Keene1,8693.5+0.6
SDP Rowena Mary Easton2290.4N/A
Majority12,62423.8N/A
Turnout 53,17369.8–4.2
Registered electors 76,166
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing Increase2.svg15.6

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result [28]
PartyVote %
Conservative 26,97748.5
Liberal Democrats 22,85141.1
Labour 3,9307.1
Green 1,5872.9
Brexit Party 1220.2
Others1130.2
Turnout55,58074.0
Electorate75,091
Results of UK House of Commons seat Lewes, from 2005 to 2017. Lewes 2005 to date.svg
Results of UK House of Commons seat Lewes, from 2005 to 2017.
General election 2019: Lewes [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Maria Caulfield 26,268 47.9 −1.6
Liberal Democrats Oli Henman23,81143.4+4.1
Labour Kate Chappell3,2065.8−5.4
Green Johnny Denis1,4532.6N/A
Independent Paul Cragg1130.2N/A
Majority2,4574.5−5.7
Turnout 54,85176.7+0.3
Conservative hold Swing −2.8
General election 2017: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Maria Caulfield 26,820 49.5 +11.5
Liberal Democrats Kelly-Marie Blundell21,31239.3+3.4
Labour Daniel Chapman6,06011.2+1.3
Majority5,50810.2+8.1
Turnout 54,32876.4+3.7
Conservative hold Swing +4.0
General election 2015: Lewes [30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Maria Caulfield 19,206 38.0 +1.3
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 18,12335.9−16.1
UKIP Ray Finch 5,42710.7+7.3
Labour Lloyd Russell-Moyle 5,0009.9+4.9
Green Alfie Stirling2,7845.5+4.0
Majority1,0832.1N/A
Turnout 50,54072.7−0.2
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +8.7
General election 2010: Lewes [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 26,048 52.0 −0.5
Conservative Jason Sugarman18,40136.7+2.1
Labour Hratche Koundarjian2,5085.0−4.3
UKIP Peter Charlton1,7283.4+1.2
Green Susan Murray7291.5−0.8
BNP David Lloyd5941.2N/A
Independent Ondrej Soucek800.2N/A
Majority7,64715.3−2.9
Turnout 50,08872.9+3.1
Liberal Democrats hold Swing −0.8

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Lewes [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 24,376 52.4 −3.9
Conservative Rory Love15,90234.2−0.7
Labour Richard Black4,1699.0+1.7
Green Susan Murray1,0712.3N/A
UKIP John Petley1,0342.2+0.8
Majority8,47418.2−3.2
Turnout 46,55269.4+0.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing −1.6
General election 2001: Lewes [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 25,588 56.3 +13.1
Conservative Simon Sinnatt15,87834.9−5.7
Labour Paul Richards3,3177.3−3.3
UKIP John Harvey6501.4+0.9
Majority9,71021.4+18.8
Turnout 45,43368.5−7.9
Liberal Democrats hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Lewes [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 21,250 43.2 +4.1
Conservative Tim Rathbone 19,95040.6−10.8
Labour Mark Patton5,23210.6+2.4
Referendum Lucille Butler2,4815.0N/A
UKIP John Harvey2560.5N/A
Majority1,3002.6N/A
Turnout 49,16976.4−5.4
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

This constituency underwent boundary changes between the 1992 and 1997 general elections and thus change in share of vote is based on a notional calculation.

General election 1992: Lewes [35] [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 33,042 54.6 −2.2
Liberal Democrats Norman Baker 20,86734.5+1.8
Labour Alison Chapman5,7589.5+0.7
Green A. E. Beaumont7191.2−0.5
Natural Law N. F. Clinch870.2N/A
Majority12,17520.1−4.0
Turnout 60,47381.8+4.8
Conservative hold Swing −2.0

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Lewes [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 32,016 56.8 −1.6
Alliance David Bellotti 18,39632.7+2.0
Labour Ralph Taylor4,9738.8+0.3
Green Andrew Sherwood9701.7−0.7
Majority13,62024.1−3.6
Turnout 56,35577.0+2.7
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1983: Lewes [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 29,261 58.4
Alliance David Bellotti 15,35730.7
Labour Debbie Sander4,2448.5
Ecology Reginald Mutter1,2212.4N/A
Majority13,90427.7
Turnout 50,08374.3
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 33,992 58.42
Liberal G. Hook12,27921.10
Labour Tom Forrester11,15219.17
National Front B. Webb7641.31N/A
Majority21,71337.32
Turnout 58,18776.32
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 27,588 51.87
Liberal G. Hook13,74125.84
Labour Co-op James Little11,85722.29
Majority13,84726.03
Turnout 53,18673.81
Conservative hold Swing

New constituency boundaries.

General election February 1974: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Rathbone 30,423 52.94
Liberal Malcolm Holt16,16628.13
Labour Co-op James Little10,87518.92
Majority14,25724.81
Turnout 57,46480.30
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 33,592 58.34
Labour Quintin Barry14,90425.88
Liberal Malcolm Holt9,08315.77
Majority18,68832.46
Turnout 57,57972.79
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 27,529 53.44
Labour Roy Ellison Manley14,56128.32
Liberal Gerald Arthur Dowden9,32818.14
Majority12,96825.12
Turnout 51,41876.27
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 26,818 55.30
Labour Reginald Edgar Fitch12,75726.30
Liberal Gerald Arthur Dowden8,92418.40N/A
Majority14,06129.00
Turnout 48,49976.43
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 29,642 69.41
Labour William Reay13,06530.59
Majority16,57738.82
Turnout 42,70775.80
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 24,938 66.80
Labour John Lloyd-Eley12,39233.20
Majority12,54633.60
Turnout 37,33074.83
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 34,345 66.78
Labour Albert William Briggs17,08233.22
Majority17,26333.56
Turnout 51,47878.26
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 30,430 58.50
Labour Albert William Briggs15,02328.88
Liberal Florinda Kingdon-Ward6,56512.62
Majority15,40729.62
Turnout 52,01880.99
Conservative hold Swing

Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Beamish 26,176 51.26
Labour Co-op Albert Oram 18,51136.25
Liberal Peter Cadogan6,37412.48N/A
Majority7,66515.01
Turnout 51,06171.87
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1930s

1936 Lewes by-election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish 14,646 65.96
Labour Alban Gordon 7,55734.04
Majority7,08931.92
Turnout 22,203
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1935: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Loder 24,644 70.01
Labour Frank Rivers Hancock10,55929.99
Majority14,08540.02
Turnout 35,20364.41
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Lewes
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Loder 25,181 81.29
Labour Frank Rivers Hancock5,79518.71
Majority19,38662.58
Turnout 30,97670.87
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Lewes [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist Tufton Beamish 15,230 53.7 19.0
Labour Alban Gordon 7,69827.10.2
Liberal Henry Plunket Woodgate5,45219.2N/A
Majority7,53226.618.8
Turnout 28,38070.4+5.7
Registered electors 40,291
Unionist hold Swing 9.4
General election 1924: Lewes [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist Tufton Beamish 13,399 72.7 +13.1
Labour Basil Hall 5,04327.313.1
Majority8,35645.4+26.2
Turnout 18,44264.7+6.6
Registered electors 28,517
Unionist hold Swing +13.1
1924 Lewes by-election [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist Tufton Beamish 9,584 52.0 7.6
Labour Basil Hall 6,11233.27.2
Liberal Howard Williams2,71814.8N/A
Majority3,47218.80.4
Turnout 18,41467.3+9.2
Registered electors 27,361
Unionist hold Swing 0.2
General election 1923: Lewes [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist William Campion 9,474 59.6 8.4
Labour Basil Hall 6,42240.4+8.4
Majority3,05219.216.8
Turnout 15,89658.16.5
Registered electors 27,361
Unionist hold Swing 8.4
General election 1922: Lewes [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist William Campion 11,345 68.0 +5.2
Labour Hugh Millier Black5,32832.01.6
Majority6,01736.0+6.8
Turnout 16,67364.6+9.5
Registered electors 25,801
Unionist hold Swing +3.4

Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Lewes [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
C Unionist William Campion 7,79262.8N/A
Labour Tom Pargeter4,16433.6N/A
Independent and Silver BadgeAlbert Edward Gardiner4523.6N/A
Majority3,62829.2N/A
Turnout 12,40855.1N/A
Registered electors 22,500
Unionist hold Swing N/A
Cindicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Election results 1868–1918

Elections in the 1860s

General election 1868: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Walter Pelham 601 50.6 4.7
Conservative William Christie 58749.4+4.7
Majority141.21.5
Turnout 1,18888.0+1.2
Registered electors 1,350
Liberal hold Swing 4.7

Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Christie 772 60.7 +11.3
Liberal Arthur Cohen 50039.311.3
Majority27221.4N/A
Turnout 1,27289.0+1.0
Registered electors 1,430
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +11.3

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Christie 717 55.3 5.4
Liberal William Codrington 58044.7+5.4
Majority13710.610.8
Turnout 1,29788.90.1
Registered electors 1,459
Conservative hold Swing 5.4
General election 1885: Lewes [41] [42] [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 5,312 62.5 +7.2
Liberal William Egerton Hubbard3,18137.57.2
Majority2,13125.0+14.4
Turnout 8,49380.28.7
Registered electors 10,586
Conservative hold Swing +7.2
General election 1886: Lewes [41] [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Lewes [41] [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 5,621 70.8 N/A
Liberal Henry Prince2,32229.2New
Majority3,29941.6N/A
Turnout 7,94367.1N/A
Registered electors 11,832
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General election 1895: Lewes [41] [42] [44]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Lewes [41] [42] [44]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher Unopposed
Conservative hold
Morison Hector Morison.jpg
Morison
General election 1906: Lewes [41] [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 7,172 56.8 N/A
Liberal Hector Morison 5,45843.2New
Majority1,71413.6N/A
Turnout 12,63081.2N/A
Registered electors 15,560
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Lewes [41] [45]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Fletcher 9,168 66.7 +9.9
Liberal Basil Williams 4,57233.3−9.9
Majority4,59633.4+19.8
Turnout 13,74079.51.7
Registered electors 17,277
Conservative hold Swing +9.9
1910 Lewes by-election [41] [45]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Campion Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election December 1910: Lewes [41] [45]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative William Campion Unopposed
Conservative hold

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;

Election results 1832–1868

Elections in the 1830s

General election 1832: Lewes [10] [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Whig Thomas Read Kemp Unopposed
Whig Charles Blunt Unopposed
Registered electors 878
Whig hold
Whig hold
General election 1835: Lewes [10] [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Whig Charles Blunt 511 40.8
Whig Thomas Read Kemp 382 30.5
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 35928.7
Majority231.8
Turnout 71594.0
Registered electors 761
Whig hold
Whig hold

Kemp resigned, causing a by-election.

By-election, 21 April 1837: Lewes [10] [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 397 51.7 +23.0
Whig John Easthope 37148.323.0
Majority263.4N/A
Turnout 76891.22.8
Registered electors 7,842
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +23.0
General election 1837: Lewes [10] [40] [46]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Whig Charles Blunt 413 26.6 14.2
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 401 25.8 +11.5
Whig Thomas Brand39825.64.9
Conservative William Lyon34322.1+7.8
Turnout 78893.60.4
Registered electors 842
Majority120.81.0
Whig hold Swing 11.9
Majority30.2N/A
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +10.5

Elections in the 1840s

Blunt's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 9 March 1840: Lewes [10] [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative George West Unopposed
Registered electors 881
Conservative gain from Whig
General election 1841: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Radical Summers Harford 411 25.4 N/A
Radical Howard Elphinstone 409 25.3 N/A
Conservative Henry FitzRoy 40725.20.6
Conservative George West 38824.0+1.9
Majority20.1N/A
Turnout 81091.91.7
Registered electors 881
Radical gain from Whig Swing
Radical gain from Conservative Swing

On petition, Harford was unseated, due to bribery and corruption, [47] and Fitzroy was declared elected on 21 March 1842. Fitzroy was then appointed a Civil Lord of the Admiralty, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 17 February 1845: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Conservative gain from Radical

Elphinstone resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.

By-election, 17 March 1847: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Whig Robert Perfect Unopposed
Whig gain from Radical
General election 1847: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Peelite Henry FitzRoy 457 37.8 +12.6
Whig Robert Perfect 402 33.3 N/A
Conservative John Bellingham Godfrey Hudson [48] 20717.1N/A
Conservative Henry Loftus14311.8−12.2
Turnout 605 (est)69.8 (est)22.1
Registered electors 866
Majority554.5N/A
Peelite gain from Radical Swing
Majority19516.2N/A
Whig gain from Radical Swing

Elections in the 1850s

General election 1852: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Whig Henry Brand Unopposed
Peelite Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Registered electors 713
Whig hold
Peelite hold

Brand was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 5 April 1855: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Whig Henry Brand Unopposed
Whig hold
General election 1857: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Whig Henry Brand Unopposed
Peelite Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Registered electors 724
Whig hold
Peelite hold
General election 1859: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Henry FitzRoy 339 31.8 N/A
Liberal Henry Brand 338 31.7 N/A
Conservative Richard Amphlett 20018.8N/A
Conservative Charles Blunt 18917.7N/A
Majority13812.9N/A
Turnout 533 (est)76.5 (est)N/A
Registered electors 697
Liberal hold Swing N/A
Liberal hold Swing N/A

FitzRoy was appointed First Commissioner of Works and Public Buildings, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 27 June 1859: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Henry FitzRoy Unopposed
Liberal hold

Elections in the 1860s

FitzRoy's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 16 January 1860: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Blencowe Unopposed
Liberal hold
General election 1865: Lewes [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Henry Brand 325 27.7 4.1
Liberal Walter Pelham 32427.64.1
Conservative William Christie 29224.9+6.1
Conservative Sir Alfred Slade, 3rd Baronet23219.8+2.1
Majority322.710.2
Turnout 587 (est)86.8 (est)+10.3
Registered electors 676
Liberal hold Swing 4.1
Liberal hold Swing 4.1

Elections before 1832

General election 1831: Lewes [10] [49]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Whig Thomas Read Kemp Unopposed
Whig Charles Blunt Unopposed
Registered electors 784
Whig hold
Whig gain from Tory
General election 1830: Lewes [10] [49]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Whig Thomas Read Kemp 479 42.6
Tory John Shelley 372 33.1
Whig Alexander Donovan27424.4
Turnout 626c.79.8
Registered electors c.784
Majority1079.5
Whig hold Swing
Majority988.7
Tory hold Swing

See also

Notes

  1. A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)

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50°51′N0°04′E / 50.85°N 0.06°E / 50.85; 0.06