Thurrock (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Thurrock
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Thurrock (UK Parliament constituency)
Boundaries since 2024
East of England - Thurrock constituency.svg
Boundary of Thurrock in the East of England
County Essex
Electorate 73,347 (2023) [1]
Major settlements Grays, Tilbury, South Ockendon and Chafford
Current constituency
Created 1945
Member of Parliament Jen Craft (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created from South East Essex

Thurrock is a constituency [n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Jen Craft of the Labour Party. [n 2]

Contents

Constituency profile

This industrial Essex seat, east of London, includes the towns of Grays, Tilbury and Purfleet, and 18 miles of the north bank of the Thames.

Historically known for quarrying and heavy industry, it is now a retail destination thanks to the Lakeside Shopping Centre. Retail and distribution are big employers, while Tilbury Power Station has closed and Coryton oil refinery is being redeveloped as a business park. Tilbury is also London's major port, handling millions of tonnes of cargo a year and is a major cruise ship terminal.

Workless claimants, registered jobseekers, were in November 2012 higher than the national average of 3.8%, at 4.8% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian . The regional average for the Eastern England region was considerably lower, at 3.2% of the population. [2]

History

History of boundaries

The seat was created from South East Essex as a result of the interim redistribution carried out for the 1945 general election. It remained unchanged until the redistribution following the reorganisation of local authorities under the Local Government Act 1972 (not coming into force until the 1983 general election), when it lost northern parts to the new constituency of Billericay. There was a small change for the 2010 general election, when East Tilbury was included in the new constituency of South Basildon and East Thurrock.

History of results

Thurrock was for 38 years from its creation in 1945 a large-majority Labour seat in parliamentary elections. The post-Falklands War election in 1983 gave a majority of less than 4% of the vote to a recently-split Labour Party (the breakaway faction, the SDP, came third). A Conservative gained Thurrock in 1987 with a small majority. In 1992, it was regained by a Labour candidate, Andrew MacKinlay. During his tenure as MP, MacKinlay was criticised for his questioning technique used on weapons expert Dr. David Kelly.

In the 2010 general election, a Conservative gained the seat, with Jackie Doyle-Price being elected as the MP on a majority of 92 votes, the third most marginal in that election. [3] The 2015 result gave the seat the 8th most marginal majority of the Conservative Party's 331 seats by percentage of majority. [4] In that 2015 election fewer than 1,000 votes separated the top three parties: Conservative, Labour and UKIP. The seat has had bellwether outcome status since 1997.

In 2017, the seat was number 1 on UKIP's 2017 target list, the party only needing a 0.98% swing to win the seat from third place if the previous result were repeated. The constituency was also at number 7 on Labour's target list, with a 0.54% swing needed for their candidate to win the seat. In the event, the swing to Labour was around 0.2% and Doyle-Price held the seat by a mere 345 votes, making it the 26th-closest nationally (of 650 seats). [5] This was also the third consecutive occasion that Thurrock had been held or won very narrowly. At the 2019 general election, Doyle-Price's vote share increased by 19.1%, the largest increase in vote share achieved by any Conservative candidate in the United Kingdom at that election, and her majority rose to 11,482 votes. [6]

At the 2024 general election, the seat was gained by Labour's Jen Craft by a comfortable majority of over 17%, with the incumbent Conservative Doyle-Price placing third behind Reform UK.

Prominent frontbenchers

Dr Oonagh McDonald was Opposition Spokesman on Defence from 1981 to 1983, and then Opposition Spokesman on Treasury and Economic Affairs from 1983 to 1987.

Boundaries and boundary changes

Thurrock in Essex, showing boundaries used from 1945 to 1983. Thurrock1945.png
Thurrock in Essex, showing boundaries used from 1945 to 1983.
Thurrock (UK Parliament constituency)
Map of boundaries 2010-2024

1945–1983

The House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1944 set up Boundaries Commissions to carry out periodic reviews of the distribution of parliamentary constituencies. It also authorised an initial review to subdivide abnormally large constituencies in time for the 1945 election. [8] This was implemented by the Redistribution of Seats Order 1945 under which South East Essex was divided into two constituencies. As a consequence, the new Thurrock Division of Essex was formed, comprising the Urban District of Thurrock (created largely from amalgamating the Urban Districts of Grays Thurrock and Tilbury and the Rural District of Orsett).

1983–2010

Northern areas transferred to the re-established constituency of Billericay.

2010–2024

Following a redistribution of local authority wards, East Tilbury was transferred to the new constituency of South Basildon and East Thurrock.

Current

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency was reduced to meet the electorate size requirements, with the transfer to South Basildon and East Thurrock of the Chadwell St Mary ward. [12]

Members of Parliament

South East Essex prior to 1945

ElectionMember [13] Party
1945 Leslie Solley Labour
1949 Labour Independent Group
1950 Hugh Delargy Labour
1976 by-election Oonagh McDonald Labour
1987 Tim Janman Conservative
1992 Andrew MacKinlay Labour
2010 Jackie Doyle-Price Conservative
2024 Jen Craft Labour

Elections

Thurrock election results Thurrock election results.png
Thurrock election results

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Thurrock [14] [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jen Craft 16,050 42.7 +9.8
Reform UK Sophie Preston-Hall9,57625.5N/A
Conservative Jackie Doyle-Price 8,00921.3−38.6
Green Eugene McCarthy1,6324.4+2.6
Liberal Democrats Michael Bukola1,1573.1±0.0
Workers Party Yousaff Khan6911.8N/A
Independent Raj Nimal4431.2N/A
Majority6,47417.2
Turnout 37,67551.8−8.7
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Thurrock [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Jackie Doyle-Price 27,795 58.6 +19.1
Labour John Kent16,31334.4−4.4
Liberal Democrats Stewart Stone1,5103.2+1.6
Independent James Woollard1,0422.2N/A
Green Ben Harvey8071.7N/A
Majority11,48224.2+23.5
Turnout 47,46759.6−4.8
Registered electors 79,655
Conservative hold Swing +11.8
General election 2017: Thurrock [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Jackie Doyle-Price 19,880 39.5 +5.8
Labour John Kent19,53538.8+6.2
UKIP Tim Aker 10,11220.1−11.6
Liberal Democrats Kevin McNamara7981.6+0.3
Majority3450.7−0.4
Turnout 50,32564.4+0.5
Conservative hold Swing −0.2
General election 2015: Thurrock [18] [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Jackie Doyle-Price 16,692 33.7 −3.1
Labour Polly Billington [20] 16,15632.6−4.0
UKIP Tim Aker [21] 15,71831.7+24.3
Liberal Democrats Rhodri Jamieson-Ball6441.3−9.4
CISTA Jamie Barnes2440.5N/A
Independent Daniel Munyambu790.2N/A
All People's Party Aba Kristilolu310.1N/A
Majority5361.1+0.9
Turnout 49,56463.9+4.8
Conservative hold Swing +0.4
General election 2010: Thurrock [22] [23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Jackie Doyle-Price 16,869 36.8 +3.6
Labour Carl Morris16,77736.6−9.6
Liberal Democrats Carys Davis4,90110.7−0.4
BNP Emma Colgate3,6187.9+2.1
UKIP Clive Broad3,3907.4+4.0
CPA Arinola Araba2670.6N/A
Majority920.2N/A
Turnout 45,82259.1+4.2
Conservative gain from Labour Swing +6.6

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Thurrock [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Andrew MacKinlay 20,636 47.2 −9.3
Conservative Garry Hague14,26132.6+2.8
Liberal Democrats Earnshaw Palmer4,77010.9+0.6
BNP Nick Geri2,5265.8N/A
UKIP Carol Jackson1,4993.40.0
Majority6,37514.6−11.9
Turnout 43,69254.9+5.9
Labour hold Swing −6.1
General election 2001: Thurrock [25]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Andrew MacKinlay 21,121 56.5 −6.8
Conservative Mike Penning 11,12429.8+3.0
Liberal Democrats John Lathan3,84610.3+2.2
UKIP Christopher Sheppard1,2713.4+1.6
Majority9,99726.7−9.8
Turnout 37,36249.0−16.6
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Thurrock [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Andrew MacKinlay 29,896 63.3 +17.4
Conservative Andrew Rosindell 12,64026.8−16.9
Liberal Democrats Joe White3,8438.1−1.4
UKIP Peter Compobassi8331.8N/A
Majority17,25636.5+34.3
Turnout 47,21265.6−12.5
Labour hold Swing +17.2
General election 1992: Thurrock [27] [28]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Andrew MacKinlay 24,791 45.9 +4.9
Conservative Tim Janman 23,61943.7+1.2
Liberal Democrats Alan J. Banton5,1459.5−7.0
Pensioners' PartyCharles Rogers3910.7N/A
Anti-Federalist League Peter Compobassi1170.2N/A
Majority1,1722.2N/A
Turnout 54,06378.1+6.6
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +1.8

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Thurrock [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tim Janman 20,527 42.5 +7.1
Labour Oonagh McDonald 19,83741.0+1.8
SDP Donald Benson7,97016.5−5.2
Majority6901.5N/A
Turnout 48,33471.5+3.8
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
General election 1983: Thurrock [30] [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Oonagh McDonald 17,600 39.2 −9.3
Conservative Julie Tallon15,87835.4−3.8
SDP Donald Benson9,76121.7N/A
Independent M Bibby1,2002.7N/A
BNP R Sinclair2520.6N/A
Communist J Paul1990.4N/A
Majority1,7223.8−5.5
Turnout 44,89167.7−7.4
Labour hold Swing -3.2

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Thurrock [32]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Oonagh McDonald 33,449 48.55
Conservative Tony Baldry 27,03039.24
Liberal M Crowson6,4459.36
National Front E Burdett1,3581.97N/A
Independent B Chattaway3650.53N/A
Workers Revolutionary M Daly2420.35N/A
Majority6,4199.31
Turnout 68,88475.11
Labour hold Swing
1976 by-election: Thurrock
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Oonagh McDonald 22,191 45.27 −10.30
Conservative Percy Lomax17,35235.39+10.95
Liberal Anthony Charlton5,97712.19−7.80
National Front John Roberts3,2556.64N/A
English National Frank Hansford-Miller 1870.38N/A
World Grid Sunshine Room PartyPeter Bishop720.15N/A
Majority4,8399.88
Turnout 49,034
Labour hold Swing
General election October 1974: Thurrock
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 34,066 55.57
Conservative P Lomax14,98624.44
Liberal A Charlton12,25519.99
Majority19,08031.13
Turnout 61,30768.54
Labour hold Swing
General election February 1974: Thurrock
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 36,217 52.15
Conservative Graham Bright 17,69925.48
Liberal Kaye Fleetwood15,53422.37
Majority18,51826.67
Turnout 69,45078.41
Labour hold Swing
General election 1970: Thurrock Electorate 84,337
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 30,874 55.75
Conservative Graham Bright 19,48635.18
Liberal Kaye Fleetwood5,0249.07
Majority11,38820.57
Turnout 55,38465.67
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Thurrock Electorate 72,502
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 31,998 60.67
Conservative Cedric J Hodgson14,09426.72
Liberal James C Moran6,64812.61
Majority17,90433.95
Turnout 52,74072.74
Labour hold Swing
General election 1964: Thurrock Electorate 71,519
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 30,372 57.22
Conservative Robert McCrindle 14,61527.53
Liberal A Noel H Blackburn8,09415.25N/A
Majority15,75729.69
Turnout 53,08174.22
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Thurrock Electorate 67,054
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 32,270 61.52
Conservative William E McNamara20,18838.48
Majority12,08223.04
Turnout 52,45878.23
Labour hold Swing
General election 1955: Thurrock Electorate 63,030
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 31,375 66.16
Conservative Gerald A Petty16,04633.84
Majority15,32932.32
Turnout 47,42175.24
Labour hold Swing
General election 1951: Thurrock Electorate 53,157
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 28,851 65.55
Conservative Godfrey Lagden 15,16634.45
Majority13,68531.10
Turnout 44,01782.81
Labour hold Swing
General election 1950: Thurrock Electorate 50,962
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Hugh Delargy 22,893 52.68
Conservative Airey Neave 13,30630.62
Labour Independent Group Leslie Solley 4,2509.78N/A
Liberal William Harold Henry Siddons3,0106.93N/A
Majority9,58722.06
Turnout 43,45985.28
Labour hold Swing

Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Thurrock
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour Leslie Solley 23,171 70.0
Conservative Thomas Adam9,90930.0
Majority13,26240.0
Turnout 33,08076.9
Labour win (new seat)

See also

Notes

  1. A county 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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References

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  2. Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
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51°29′N0°19′E / 51.48°N 0.32°E / 51.48; 0.32