The county of Somerset is currently divided into 5 parliamentary constituencies, which are all county constituencies.
† Conservative ‡ Labour ¤ Liberal Democrat
Constituency [nb 1] | Electorate [1] | Majority [2] [nb 2] | Member of Parliament [2] | Nearest opposition [2] | Electoral wards [3] [4] | Map | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgwater and West Somerset CC | 85,327 | 24,439 | Ian Liddell-Grainger† | Oliver Thornton | Sedgemoor District Council: Bridgwater Bower, Bridgwater Eastover, Bridgwater Hamp, Bridgwater Quantock, Bridgwater Sydenham, Bridgwater Victoria, Cannington and Quantocks, East Poldens, Huntspill and Pawlett, King's Isle, North Petherton, Puriton, Sandford, West Poldens, Woolavington. West Somerset District Council: Alcombe East, Alcombe West, Aville Vale, Brompton Ralph and Haddon, Carhampton and Withycombe, Crowcombe and Stogumber, Dulverton and Brushford, Dunster, Exmoor, Minehead North, Minehead South, Old Cleeve, Porlock and District, Quantock Vale, Quarme, Watchet, West Quantock, Williton. | |||
Somerton and Frome CC | 85,866 | 19,217 | Sarah Dyke¤ | Faye Purbrick | Mendip District Council: Beacon, Beckington and Rode, Coleford, Creech, Frome Berkley Down, Frome Fromefield, Frome Keyford, Frome Park, Frome Welshmill, Mells, Nordinton, Postlebury, Stratton, Vale. South Somerset District Council: Blackmoor Vale, Bruton, Burrow Hill, Camelot, Cary, Curry Rivel, Islemoor, Langport and Huish, Martock, Milborne Port, Northstone, Tower, Turn Hill, Wessex, Wincanton. | |||
Taunton Deane CC | 88,676 | 11,700 | Rebecca Pow† | Gideon Amos | Taunton Deane Borough Council: Bishop's Hull, Bishop's Lydeard, Blackdown, Bradford-on-Tone, Comeytrowe, Milverton and North Deane, Monument, Neroche, North Curry, Norton Fitzwarren, Ruishton and Creech, Staplegrove, Stoke St.Gregory, Taunton Blackbrook and Holway, Taunton Eastgate, Taunton Fairwater, Taunton Halcon, Taunton Killams and Mountfield, Taunton Lyngford, Taunton Manor and Wilton, Taunton Pyrland and Rowbarton, Trull, Wellington East, Wellington North, Wellington Rockwell Green and West, West Monkton, Wiveliscombe and West Deane. | |||
Wells CC | 84,124 | 9,991 | James Heappey† | Tessa Munt | Mendip District Council: Ashwick and Ston Easton, Avalon, Chilcompton, Glastonbury St Benedict's, Glastonbury St Edmund's, Glastonbury St John's, Glastonbury St Mary's, Knowle, Moor, Nedge, Pylcombe, Rodney and Priddy, St Cuthbert (Out) North and West, Shepton East, Shepton West, Street North, Street South, Street West, Wells Central, Wells St Cuthbert's, Wells St Thomas’. Sedgemoor District Council: Axbridge, Axe Vale, Berrow, Brent North, Burnham North, Burnham South, Cheddar and Shipham, Highbridge, Knoll, Wedmore and Mark. | |||
Yeovil CC | 82,468 | 16,181 | Marcus Fysh† | Mick Clark | South Somerset District Council: Blackdown, Brympton, Chard Avishayes, Chard Combe, Chard Crimchard, Chard Holyrood, Chard Jocelyn, Coker, Crewkerne, Eggwood, Hamdon, Ilminster, Ivelchester, Neroche, Parrett, St Michael's, South Petherton, Tatworth and Forton, Windwhistle, Yeovil Central, Yeovil East, Yeovil South, Yeovil West, Yeovil Without. |
Under the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the Boundary Commission for England decided to retain Somerset's constituencies for the 2010 election, making minor changes to realign constituency boundaries with the boundaries of current local government wards, and to reduce the electoral disparity between constituencies. In two cases the changes meant that the constituencies were renamed. [5]
Former name | Boundaries 1997-2010 | New name | Boundaries 2010–present |
---|---|---|---|
Following the abandonment of the Sixth Periodic Review (the 2018 review), the Boundary Commission for England formally launched the 2023 Review on 5 January 2021. [6] Initial proposals were published on 8 June 2021 and, following two periods of public consultation, revised proposals were published on 8 November 2022. The final proposals were published on 28 June 2023.
The commission has proposed that Somerset be combined with Avon and Devon as a sub-region of the South West Region, resulting in significant change to the existing pattern of constituencies. In Somerset, only the constituency of Yeovil retains its name with relatively minor changes. The proposals include the cross-county boundary constituencies of Frome and East Somerset, Wells and the Mendips, and Tiverton and Minehead. [7] [8]
The following seats are proposed:
Containing electoral wards from Mendip
Containing electoral wards from Sedgemoor
Containing electoral wards from Somerset West and Taunton
Containing electoral wards from South Somerset
1Also contains electoral wards in the District of Bath and North East Somerset
2Also contains electoral wards in the District of North Somerset
3Also contains electoral wards in the Devon District of Mid Devon
Below shows the final proposals recommended by the Boundary Commission for England and due to be enacted for the next general election.
Current name | Boundaries 2010–present | Proposed name | Proposed boundaries |
---|---|---|---|
Constituency [nb 3] | Electorate | Electoral wards | Map |
---|---|---|---|
Bridgwater CC | 71,418 | Sedgemoor District Council: Berrow, Bridgwater Dunwear, Bridgwater Eastover, Bridgwater Fairfax, Bridgwater Hamp, Bridgwater Victoria, Bridgwater Westover, Bridgwater Wyndham, Burnham Central, Burnham North, Cannington and Wembdon, Highbridge and Burnham Marine, Huntspill and Pawlett, King's Isle, North Petherton, Puriton and Woolavington, Quantocks. | |
Frome and East Somerset CC | 70,177 | Bath and North East Somerset Council: Bathavon South, Midsomer Norton North, Midsomer Norton Redfield, Peasedown, Radstock, Westfield. Mendip District Council: Ammerdown, Ashwick, Chilcompton and Stratton, Beckington and Selwood, Coleford and Holcombe, Cranmore, Doulting and Nunney, Creech, Frome Berkley Down, Frome College, Frome Keyford, Frome Market, Frome Oakfield, Frome Park, Postlebury, Rode and Norton St. Philip, The Pennards and Ditcheat. | |
Glastonbury and Somerton CC | 70,015 | Mendip District Council: Butleigh and Baltonsborough, Glastonbury St. Benedict's, Glastonbury St. Edmund's, Glastonbury St. John's, Glastonbury St. Mary's, Street North, Street South, Street West. South Somerset District Council: Blackmoor Vale, Bruton, Burrow Hill, Camelot, Cary, Curry Rivel, Huish & Langport, Hamdon, Islemoor, Martock, Milborne Port, Northstone, Ivelchester & St. Michael's, Tower, Turn Hill, Wessex, Wincanton. | |
Taunton and Wellington CC | 76,059 | Somerset West and Taunton Council: Blackbrook & Holway, Comeytrowe & Bishop's Hull, Creech St. Michael, Halcon & Lane, Hatch & Blackdown, Manor & Tangier, Monument, North Curry & Ruishton, North Town, Norton Fitzwarren & Staplegrove, Priorswood, Rockwell Green, Trull, Pitminster & Corfe, Victoria, Vivary, Wellington East, Wellington North, Wellington South, Wellsprings & Rowbarton, West Monkton & Cheddon Fitzpaine, Wilton & Sherford. | |
Tiverton and Minehead CC | 70,829 | Mid Devon District Council: Canonsleigh, Castle, Clare and Shuttern, Cranmore, Halberton, Lower Culm, Lowman, Upper Culm, Westexe. Somerset West and Taunton Council: Alcombe, Cotford St. Luke & Oake, Dulverton & District, Exmoor, Milverton & District, Minehead Central, Minehead North, Old Cleeve & District, Periton & Woodcombe, Porlock & District, Quantock Vale, South Quantock, Watchet & Williton, Wiveliscombe & District. | |
Wells and Mendip Hills CC | 69,843 | Mendip District Council: Chewton Mendip and Ston Easton, Croscombe and Pilton, Moor, Rodney and Westbury, Shepton East, Shepton West, St. Cuthbert Out North, Wells Central, Wells St. Cuthbert's, Wells St. Thomas', Wookey and St. Cuthbert Out West. North Somerset Council: Banwell & Winscombe, Blagdon & Churchill, Congresbury & Puxton, Yatton. Sedgemoor District Council: Axevale, Cheddar and Shipham, East Polden, Knoll, Wedmore and Mark, West Polden. | |
Yeovil CC | 76,056 | South Somerset District Council: Blackdown & Tatworth, Brympton, Chard Avishayes, Chard Combe, Chard Crimchard, Chard Holyrood, Chard Jocelyn, Coker, Crewkerne, Eggwood, Ilminster, Neroche, Parrett, South Petherton, Windwhistle, Yeovil College, Yeovil Lyde, Yeovil Summerlands, Yeovil Westland, Yeovil without. |
Primary data source: House of Commons research briefing - General election results from 1918 to 2019 [9]
The number of votes cast for each political party who fielded candidates in constituencies comprising Somerset in the 2019 general election were as follows:
Party | Votes | % | Change from 2017 | Seats | Change from 2017 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | 174,145 | 56.7% | 2.8% | 5 | 0 |
Liberal Democrats | 89,038 | 29.0% | 3.6% | 0 | 0 |
Labour | 32,522 | 10.6% | 6.4% | 0 | 0 |
Greens | 6,801 | 2.2% | 0.4% | 0 | 0 |
Others | 4,600 | 1.5% | 0.4% | 0 | 0 |
Total | 307,106 | 100.0 | 5 |
Note that before 1983 Somerset was analysed under its Ceremonial definition (including the southern part of what became analysed at boundary reviews as Avon, see Avon's list of seats).
Election year | 1918 | 1922 | 1923 | 1924 | 1929 | 1931 | 1935 | 1945 | 1950 | 1951 | 1955 | 1959 | 1964 | 1966 | 1970 | 1974(F) | 1974(O) | 1979 | 1983 | 1987 | 1992 | 1997 | 2001 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | 61.5 | 51.1 | 47.4 | 52.9 | 45.4 | 66.6 | 55.4 | 45.5 | 47.0 | 55.0 | 54.8 | 51.4 | 45.9 | 45.8 | 53.2 | 44.7 | 43.8 | 52.3 | 51.2 | 50.6 | 45.3 | 36.5 | 40.9 | 41.4 | 41.5 | 47.2 | 53.9 | 56.7 |
Labour | 24.3 | 19.3 | 10.6 | 16.6 | 22.3 | 19.7 | 25.4 | 39.8 | 38.3 | 43.2 | 40.6 | 34.4 | 33.3 | 38.1 | 35.0 | 27.0 | 28.6 | 24.0 | 11.7 | 11.7 | 12.9 | 17.4 | 16.5 | 14.9 | 7.7 | 9.5 | 17.0 | 10.6 |
Liberal Democrat 1 | 13.5 | 29.6 | 42.0 | 30.5 | 32.3 | 13.7 | 19.2 | 8.8 | 12.7 | 1.8 | 4.6 | 14.2 | 20.2 | 16.1 | 11.6 | 28.1 | 26.9 | 22.7 | 37.0 | 37.6 | 40.2 | 40.6 | 39.6 | 40.1 | 45.1 | 23.9 | 25.4 | 29.0 |
Green Party | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | * | * | * | * | * | 0.5 | 5.3 | 1.8 | 2.2 | |
UKIP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | * | * | * | 3.7 | 12.9 | 1.2 | * | |
Other | 0.8 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 5.9 | 2.0 | - | - | - | 0.7 | - | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 1.0 | 0.1 | - | 1.5 | 5.4 | 2.9 | 3.6 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 1.5 |
1pre-1979: Liberal Party; 1983 & 1987: SDP-Liberal Alliance
* Included in Other
Election year | 1950 | 1951 | 1955 | 1959 | 1964 | 1966 | 1970 | 1974(F) | 1974(O) | 1979 | 1983 | 1987 | 1992 | 1997 | 2001 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Liberal Democrat 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
11983 & 1987 - SDP-Liberal Alliance
A cell marked → (with a different colour background to the preceding cell) indicates that the previous MP continued to sit under a new party name.
Conservative Liberal Liberal Unionist
Constituency | 1885 | 1886 | 87 | 1892 | 1895 | 96 | 99 | 1900 | 1906 | 09 | Jan 1910 | Dec 1910 | 11 | 12 | 18 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bath | Blaine | Laurie | Murray | Maclean | A. Thynne | Foxcroft | |||||||||
Wodehouse | → | Gooch | Hunter | ||||||||||||
Bridgwater | Stanley | Montgomery | Sanders | ||||||||||||
Frome | Baker | T. Thynne | Barlow | T. Thynne | Barlow | ||||||||||
Somerset Eastern | Hobhouse | → | Thompson | Jardine | → | ||||||||||
Somerset Northern | Llewellyn | Warner | Llewellyn | Hope | King | ||||||||||
Somerset Southern | Lambart | Strachey | Herbert | ||||||||||||
Taunton | S. Allsopp | A. Allsopp | Welby | Boyle | Peel | Wills | |||||||||
Wellington | Dyke Acland | Elton | Fuller-Acland-Hood | Boles | |||||||||||
Wells | Paget | Jolliffe | Dickinson | Silcock | Sandys |
Common Wealth Conservative Independent Progressive Labour Liberal
Constituency | 1918 | 21 | 1922 | 23 | 1923 | 1924 | 29 | 1929 | 1931 | 34 | 1935 | 38 | 39 | 42 | 1945 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bath | Foxcroft | Raffety | Foxcroft | Baillie-Hamilton | Guinness | Pitman | |||||||||
Bridgwater | Sanders | Morse | Wood | Croom-Johnson | Bartlett | → | → | ||||||||
Frome | Hurd | Gould | Peto | Gould | Thynne | Tate | Farthing | ||||||||
Taunton | Boles | Griffith-Boscawen | Simpson | Gault | Wickham | Collins | |||||||||
Wells | Greer | Bruford | Hobhouse | Sanders | Muirhead | Boles | |||||||||
Weston-super-Mare | Wills | Erskine | Murrell | Erskine | Orr-Ewing | ||||||||||
Yeovil | Herbert | Davies | Kingsmill |
Constituency | 1950 | 1951 | 1955 | 56 | 58 | 1959 | 1964 | 1966 | 69 | 70 | 1970 | Feb 74 | Oct 74 | 1979 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bath | Pitman | Brown | Patten | |||||||||||
Bridgwater | Wills | King | ||||||||||||
Somerset North | Leather | Dean | ||||||||||||
Taunton | Hopkinson | du Cann | ||||||||||||
Wells | Boles | Maydon | Boscawen | |||||||||||
Weston-super-Mare | Orr-Ewing | Webster | Wiggin | |||||||||||
Yeovil | Kingsmill | Peyton |
Conservative Liberal Liberal Democrats
Constituency | 1983 | 1987 | 88 | 1992 | 1997 | 2001 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2017 | 2019 | 23 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bridgwater / Bridgwater and West Somerset (2010-) | King | Liddell-Grainger | ||||||||||
Somerton and Frome | Boscawen | Robinson | Heath | Warburton | Dyke | |||||||
Taunton / Taunton Deane (2010-) | du Cann | Nicholson | Ballard | Flook | Browne | Pow | ||||||
Wells | Heathcoat-Amory | Munt | Heappey | |||||||||
Yeovil | Ashdown | → | Laws | Fysh |
Somerton and Frome is a constituency in Somerset represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2023 by Sarah Dyke of the Liberal Democrats.
The region of South West England has, since the 2010 general election, 55 parliamentary constituencies which is made up of 15 borough constituencies and 40 county constituencies. At that election the Conservative Party held the largest number of constituencies, with 36. The Liberal Democrats had 15 and Labour had 4. At the 2015 general election the Liberal Democrats lost all of their seats, while the Conservatives gained one seat from Labour, leaving the Conservatives with 51 and Labour with 4. In the 2017 general election, the Conservatives remained, by far, the largest party with 47 seats, though losing three to Labour, who won 7, and one to the Liberal Democrats, who won 1. In the 2019 general election, the Conservatives increased their number of seats to 48 by regaining Stroud from Labour, who held their other six seats, while the Liberal Democrats retained their sole seat in Bath.
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