Southend West (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Southend West
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
SouthendWest2007Constituency.svg
Boundary of Southend West in Essex
EnglandEssex.svg
Location of Essex within England
County Essex
Electorate 66,780 (December 2010) [1]
Major settlements Southend-on-Sea, Leigh-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea
Current constituency
Created 1950
Member of Parliament Anna Firth (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created from Southend

Southend West is a constituency [n 1] in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. The seat is currently held by Anna Firth who won the 2022 by-election, [2] following the murder of the incumbent MP, David Amess. [3] [n 2]

Contents

Under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the constituency is to be renamed Southend West and Leigh - to be first contested at the next general election. [4]

Constituency profile

Registered jobseekers were in November 2012 close to the national average of 3.8%, at 3.5% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian . [5]

Leigh-on-Sea has a number of Liberal Democrat councillors, whilst Eastwood Park has voted for the Lib Dems on occasion, and there is some Labour strength in Westborough (their strongest ward in the constituency), Blenheim Park and St Laurence, however the remaining areas are predominantly Conservative.

History

The constituency was created for the 1950 general election under the Representation of the People Act 1948, when the Parliamentary Borough of Southend-on-Sea was split in two.

Since creation, the seat has been held every election by the Conservative Party, with majorities ranging from 5.7% during the Labour Landslide of 1997 to 43.4% in 1955. It has historically been seen by pundits as a safe Conservative seat.

Because four members of the Guinness family have held the seat (or its predecessor, Southend) it has been dubbed in political analyses in the media as "Guinness-on-Sea". [6]

The seat was represented by David Amess for 24 years, from 1997 to 15 October 2021, when he was murdered. [3] Amess was previously the MP for Basildon from 1983. A by-election was held to elect a replacement MP. In a similar vein to the subsequent by-election following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, all major contender parties stated they would not field candidates in opposition to the Conservative nominee. [7]

Boundaries and boundary changes

1950–1955

Formed primarily from western parts of the abolished Parliamentary Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

1955–1983

Realignment of boundary with Southend East.

1983–2010

Marginal changes following the redistribution of wards in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

Southend West (UK Parliament constituency)
Map of current boundaries

2010–present

Further marginal changes were due to a redistribution of local authority wards.

The constituency comprises a small part of the west of Southend-on-Sea, and includes Leigh-on-Sea and Westcliff-on-Sea. It is bounded to the north and east by Rochford and Southend East, to the north by Rayleigh and Wickford, to the west by Castle Point, and to the south by the very end of the Thames estuary.

Proposed

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, the Southend West and Leigh constituency will comprise the whole of the current Southend West seat with the addition of St Luke's ward from Rochford and Southend East). [12]

Members of Parliament

ElectionMember [13] Party
1950 Sir Henry Channon Conservative
1959 by-election Paul Channon Conservative
1997 Sir David Amess Conservative
2022 by-election Anna Firth Conservative

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Next general election: Southend West and Leigh
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Anna Firth [14]
Green Tilly Hogrebe [15]
Majority
Turnout
2022 Southend West by-election [16] [17] [18] [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Anna Firth 12,792 86.1 +26.9
Psychedelic MovementJason Pilley5123.4New
UKIP Steve Laws4002.7New
English Democrat Catherine Blaiklock 3202.2New
Independent Jayda Fransen 2992.0New
Heritage Ben Downton2361.6New
Freedom AllianceChristopher Anderson1611.1New
English ConstitutionGraham Moore860.6New
No description Olga Childs520.3New
Majority12,28082.7+51.6
Turnout 15,94224.0-43.4
Rejected ballots1,084
Registered electors 66,354
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Southend West [20]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 27,555 59.2 +4.0
Labour Aston Line13,09628.1-5.9
Liberal Democrats Nina Stimson5,31211.4+6.9
Independent 77 Joseph5741.2New
Majority14,45931.1+9.9
Turnout 46,53767.4-2.3
Conservative hold Swing +4.9
General election 2017: Southend West [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 26,046 55.2 +5.4
Labour Julian Ware-Lane16,04634.0+15.7
Liberal Democrats Lucy Salek2,1104.5-4.8
UKIP John Stansfield1,6663.5-14.0
Green Dominic Ellis8311.8-2.9
Southend Independent AssociationTino Callaghan3050.6New
Independent Jason Pilley1870.4New
Majority10,00021.2-10.3
Turnout 47,19169.7+3.1
Conservative hold Swing -5.2

Jack Monroe had previously been standing [22] for the National Health Action Party, before withdrawing their candidacy on 11 May 2017, citing death threats and concern for their health. [23] [24]

General election 2015: Southend West [25]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 22,175 49.8 +3.8
Labour Julian Ware-Lane8,15418.3+4.9
UKIP Brian Otridge [26] 7,80317.5+13.6
Liberal Democrats Paul Collins [27] 4,1299.3-20.1
Green Jon Fuller [28] 2,0834.7+3.2
English Democrat Jeremy Moss1650.4-0.9
Majority14,02131.5+14.8
Turnout 44,50966.6+1.5
Conservative hold Swing -0.5
General election 2010: Southend West [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 20,086 46.1 -0.1
Liberal Democrats Peter Welch [30] 12,81629.4+5.4
Labour Thomas Flynn [31] 5,85013.4-9.2
UKIP Garry Cockrill [32] 1,7143.9+0.5
BNP Tony Gladwin1,3333.1New
Green Barry Bolton [33] 6441.5New
Independent Vel (Marimutu Velmurgan)6171.4New
English Democrat Terry Phillips [34] 5461.3-0.5
Majority7,27016.7-5.8
Turnout 43,60665.1+4.0
Conservative hold Swing −2.8

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Southend West [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 18,408 46.2 −0.1
Liberal Democrats Peter Wexham9,44923.7−1.2
Labour Jan Etienne9,07222.8−2.3
UKIP Carole Sampson1,3493.4−0.3
Independent Marimutu Velmurgan7451.9New
English Democrat Jeremy Moss7011.8New
Max Power PartyDan Anslow1060.3New
Majority8,95922.5+1.3
Turnout 39,83061.9+3.9
Conservative hold Swing +0.5
General election 2001: Southend West [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 17,313 46.3 +7.5
Labour Paul Fisher9,37225.1+2.3
Liberal Democrats Richard de Ste Croix9,31924.9-8.2
UKIP Brian Lee1,3713.7+2.3
Majority7,94121.2+15.5
Turnout 37,37558.0-12.0
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Southend West [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Amess 18,029 38.8 -15.9
Liberal Democrats Nina Stimson15,41433.1+2.2
Labour Alan Harley10,60022.8+10.5
Referendum Charles Webster1,7343.7New
UKIP Brian Lee6361.4New
Natural Law Peter Warburton1010.2-0.1
Majority2,6155.7-18.1
Turnout 46,51570.0-7.8
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1992: Southend West [38] [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 27,319 54.7 +0.3
Liberal Democrats Nina Stimson15,41730.9-7.2
Labour Geoffrey Viney6,13912.3+4.7
Liberal Alan Farmer4951.0New
Green Chris Keene4510.9New
Natural Law Peter Warburton1270.3New
Majority11,90223.8+7.5
Turnout 49,94877.8+2.5
Conservative hold Swing +3.8

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Southend West [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 28,003 54.4 -0.1
Liberal Gavin Grant 19,60338.1+0.2
Labour Co-op Angela Smith 3,8997.6+0.0
Majority8,40016.3-0.3
Turnout 51,50575.3+3.6
Conservative hold Swing -0.1
General election 1983: Southend West [41]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 26,360 54.5 -3.2
Liberal Gavin Grant 18,32737.9+13.2
Labour Joy Nisbet3,6757.6-8.7
Majority8,03316.6-16.4
Turnout 48,36271.7-4.6
Conservative hold Swing -8.2

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 29,44957.68
Liberal D Evans12,58524.65
Labour J Nisbet8,34116.34
National Front LJ McKeon6801.33New
Majority16,86433.03
Turnout 51,05576.25
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 23,48047.59
Liberal W Greaves16,40933.26
Labour AN Wright9,45119.15
Majority7,07114.33
Turnout 49,34073.16
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 25,04046.68
Liberal W Greaves19,88537.07
Labour AN Wright14,16023.85
Majority12,9139.61
Turnout 59,08577.23
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 29,30460.05
Labour M Burstin12,41925.45
Liberal JH Barnett7,07714.50
Majority16,88534.60
Turnout 48,80070.70
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 25,71350.89
Labour M Burstin13,85627.42
Liberal Gurth Hoyer-Millar 10,95821.69
Majority11,85723.47
Turnout 50,52778.35
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 25,55550.58
Liberal Gurth Hoyer-Millar 14,54828.79
Labour Rex Winsbury 10,42320.63
Majority11,00721.79
Turnout 50,52678.78
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 27,612 58.2 -6.0
Liberal Heather Harvey 10,57722.3+7.3
Labour Anthony Pearson-Clarke9,21919.4-1.4
Majority17,03535.9-7.7
Turnout 47,40877.7+3.6
Conservative hold Swing
1959 Southend West by-election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Paul Channon 14,493 55.6 -8.6
Liberal Heather Harvey 6,31424.2+9.2
Labour Anthony Pearson-Clarke5,28020.2-0.6
Majority5,16631.4-12.0
Turnout 26,087
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Southend West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Channon 27,326 64.2 -4.9
Labour Victor G Marchesi8,86620.8-10.1
Liberal Heather Harvey 6,37515.0New
Majority18,46043.4+5.2
Turnout 42,56774.1-4.9
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Southend West [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Channon 39,287 69.1 +11.7
Labour Henry N Lyall17,35230.9+5.0
Majority21,75538.2+6.7
Turnout 56,63979.0-4.1
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Southend West [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Henry Channon 34,100 57.4
Labour Co-op Eric Hutchison15,34525.9
Liberal John Scott9,90716.7
Majority18,74631.5
Turnout 59,35283.1
Conservative win (new seat)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A borough constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. ↑ As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.

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A by-election was held on 3 February 2022 in the parliamentary constituency of Southend West following the murder of the Conservative MP Sir David Amess on 15 October 2021. Amess had been the MP for the constituency since 1997, and previously represented the nearby seat of Basildon from 1983-1997. Similarly to the 2016 Batley and Spen by-election—held after Labour MP Jo Cox was murdered—the major opposition parties declined to stand out of respect for Amess. The Conservative candidate Anna Firth won the by-election with 86% of the vote, with a turnout of 24%. No other candidate reached the 5% threshold to save their election deposit.

References

  1. ↑ "Electorate Figures – Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "Southend West by-election: Anna Firth wins seat for the Conservative Party". BBC News. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Sir David Amess MP dead after stabbing in Leigh church". Echo. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  4. ↑ "Eastern | Boundary Commission for England". Boundary Commission for England . Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  5. ↑ Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
  6. ↑ Roth, Andrew (31 January 2007). "Lord Kelvedon". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
  7. ↑ "Labour, Lib Dems and Greens won't stand candidates in Southend West by-election". ITV News. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
  8. 1 2 Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885-1972;. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN   0900178094. OCLC   539011.
  9. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  10. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  11. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  12. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule I Part 2 Eastern region.
  13. ↑ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 4)
  14. ↑ Anna Firth [@Anna_Firth] (21 April 2023). "So thrilled to have been unanimously reselected as the Conservative candidate for Southend West for the next General Election. Unbelievable privilege building on Sir David's legacy in supporting animal welfare but also campaigning for better healthcare and tackling knife crime" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ "Full list of all Green Party candidates at the next general election". Bright Green. Retrieved 21 December 2023.
  16. ↑ "Statement of persons nominated, notice of poll and situation in polling stations". Southend Council. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
  17. ↑ "Southend West by-election live updates: Residents vote to elect MP after Sir David Amess' death". Essex Live . The turnout for the Southend West by election was 24.03 per cent of an electorate of 66,354
  18. ↑ @BritainElects (4 February 2022). "Southend West parliamentary by-election, result" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ↑ "Election Results Southend West by-election 2022". 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  20. ↑ "Southend West Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  21. ↑ "General Election 2017". Southend Council . Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  22. ↑ "Jack Monroe announced as snap General Election candidate". BBC News. 29 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  23. ↑ "Jack Monroe pulls out of general election campaign after death threats". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  24. ↑ "Jack Monroe abandons bid to become an MP". The Guardian. Press Association. 11 May 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "Southend West". UK Polling Report.
  27. ↑ "Paul Collins PPC page". Liberal Democrats. Archived from the original on 21 January 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2015.
  28. ↑ "Green Party announces its candidates for the East of England's seaside towns". Eastern Region Green Party. 25 November 2014.
  29. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Rochford and Southend East & Southend West". Liberal Democrats. Archived from the original on 10 November 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  31. ↑ "Prospective Parliamentary Candidates". Labour Party. Archived from the original on 2 April 2010. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  32. ↑ "Eastern Counties Region". UKIP. Archived from the original on 2 August 2009. Retrieved 8 February 2010.
  33. ↑ "Green Party Parliamentary Candidate". Green Party. Archived from the original on 11 May 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2010.
  34. ↑ "General Election Candidates". English Democrats. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  35. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  36. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  37. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  38. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  39. ↑ "UK General Election results April 1992". Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  40. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  41. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  42. ↑ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1951.
  43. ↑ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1950.

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