Exeter (UK Parliament constituency)

Constituency profile

The Exeter constituency is located in Devon and covers most of the city of Exeter excluding some of its eastern suburbs. Exeter is a historic cathedral city with origins in the Roman period. It is home to the University of Exeter, which has around 30,000 students. The city is an important centre of employment with many commuters from nearby towns. The constituency has average levels of deprivation; the suburb of Pennsylvania near the university is affluent whilst the area around Wonford is more deprived. House prices are slightly below the national average.

In general, residents of the constituency are young and well-educated. Levels of professional employment and household income are similar to national averages. White people made up 89% of the population at the 2021 census. At the city council, most of Exeter's suburbs are represented by the Labour Party with Green Party councillors elected in the city centre. At the county council, the suburbs are instead mostly represented by Reform UK. An estimated 57% of voters in the constituency supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum compared to 48% nationwide.

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.

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

|reg. electors = 6,963 |reg. electors = 6,963

Elections in the 1890s

|reg. electors = 7,972 |reg. electors = 8,198 |reg. electors = 8,595

Elections in the 1900s

|reg. electors = 8,708

|reg. electors = 9,567

Elections in the 1910s

|reg. electors = 10,383

|reg. electors = 10,383

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

|reg. electors = 3,088

|reg. electors = 6,156

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

|reg. electors = 6,206

|reg. electors = 6,337

Elections in the 1880s

|reg. electors = 7,361

Election results 1832–1868

Elections in the 1830s

|reg. electors = 2,952

|reg. electors = 3,239

|reg. electors = 3,488

Elections in the 1840s

|reg. electors = 3,698

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.

|reg. electors = 3,728

Follett's death caused a by-election.

|reg. electors = 3,728

|reg. electors = 3,798

Elections in the 1850s

|reg. electors = 2,501

|reg. electors = 3,162

|reg. electors = 3,216

Elections in the 1860s

Divett's death caused a by-election.

|reg. electors = 2,564

Elections before 1832

|reg. electors =

Notes

References

References

1. {{HESA citation
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5. "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023".
6. (2004-11-24). "Final recommendations for Parliamentary constituencies in the counties of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay". [[Boundary Commission for England]].
7. (2023-06-28). "Parliamentary constituency of Exmouth and East Exeter proposed".
8. "PRESCOTT, John (c.1327–1412), of Prescott, Rake and Exeter, Devon.". History of Parliament Online.
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13. (1836). "The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1836".
14. (1847). "Dod's Parliamentary Companion, Volume 15". [[Dod's Parliamentary Companion]].
15. At the December 1910 election, [[Harold St Maur]] was declared the winner by 4 votes, and the same majority was recorded after a recount. However, an electoral petition was decided on April 11, 1911, at which [[Henry Duke, 1st Baron Merrivale. Henry Duke]] was declared the winner by 1 vote ( "Exeter Election Petition— Sensational Finish: Liberals Lose the Seat by a Majority of One", ''Staffordshire Sentinel'', April 11, 1977, p. 1)
16. "Election Notices – Exeter City Council". Exeter City Council.
17. "Exeter - General election results 2024".
18. "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". [[UK Parliament]].
19. Street, John. (14 November 2019). "Statement of persons nominated and notice of poll". Acting Returning Officer.
20. (13 December 2019). "Exeter parliamentary constituency – Election 2019". BBC.
21. (11 May 2017). "2017 general election candidates in Devon". Devon Live.
22. "Election Data 2015". [[Electoral Calculus]].
23. "Election Data 2010". [[Electoral Calculus]].
24. Bostock, Philip. (20 April 2010). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll". Acting Returning Officer, Exeter City Council.
25. "Election Data 2005". [[Electoral Calculus]].
26. "Election Data 2001". [[Electoral Calculus]].
27. "Election Data 1997". [[Electoral Calculus]].
28. "Exeter: Constituency". The Guardian.
29. Morgan, Bryn. (29 March 2001). "General Election results, 1 May 1997". Social & General Statistics Section, House of Commons Library.
30. "Election Data 1992". [[Electoral Calculus]].
31. (9 April 1992). "Politics Resources". Politics Resources.
32. "Election Data 1987". [[Electoral Calculus]].
33. "Election Data 1983". [[Electoral Calculus]].
34. The Returning Officer gave Dunwoody 22,189 when announcing the result on the night. This was broadcast on the BBC election Night coverage
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37. British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig
38. The Liberal Year Book, 1907
39. Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
40. Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
41. Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
42. (10 November 1873). "Exeter Representation". Western Times.
43. (1977). "British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885". Macmillan Press.
44. (20 April 1844). "Derbyshire Courier".
45. (10 July 1852). "Exeter Election". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette.
46. "Exeter".