Guildford (UK Parliament constituency)

Constituency profile

The seat covers Guildford itself and a more rural area within the Surrey Hills AONB. The seat voted Remain in the 2016 EU referendum, and has wealthier and healthier residents than the national average.

History

From the first Commons in the Model Parliament of 1295 Guildford was a parliamentary borough sending two members to Parliament until 1868 and one until 1885. In the latter years of sending two members a bloc vote system of elections was used. Until 1885 the electorate in the town of Guildford elected the member(s) of parliament, which expanded in 1885 into a county division of Guildford under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.

Early political history

The seat almost exclusively elected Conservatives between 1868 and 2001, with just two exceptions during that period. In 1868, Guildford Onslow, a Liberal, became the first MP to secure election to the single-member (as opposed to the previous two-member) borough constituency of Guildford. This was yet another example of a ‘centuries-old’ representation of Guildford by influential members of the Earl of Onslow's family, with Guildford Onslow himself, in turn, being defeated by a further member of this same family (from its minor Sussex and British Indian branch), Denzil Onslow, a Conservative, in the succeeding election of 1874. A majority of the seat's voters were again swayed toward the Liberal cause in the Liberal landslide year of the 1906 general election.

Modern political history

Successive elections in 2001 and 2005 saw marginal majorities of under 2% of the vote - in favour of a Liberal Democrat and then a Conservative. The 2015 result brought the incumbent MP, Anne Milton, a huge Conservative majority of more than 41 percentage points, up from 14 percentage points in 2010. However, the seat swung substantially towards the Liberal Democrats in the 2019 general election, and the Lib Dems then won the seat back from the Conservatives in 2024 with a majority of over 8,000.

Boundaries

| image-width = 1800 | image-left = -990 | image-top = -1600 | image-width = 1000 | image-left = -710 | image-top = -1220 1885–1918: The Boroughs of Guildford and Godalming, the Sessional Division of Farnham, and part of the Sessional Division of Guildford.

1918–1950: The Boroughs of Guildford and Godalming, the Urban District of Haslemere, the Rural District of Hambledon, and the Rural District of Guildford except the civil parish of Pirbright. 1950–1983: The Borough of Guildford, in the Rural District of Guildford the parishes of Artington, Compton, Puttenham, Shackleford, Shalford, Wanborough, and Worplesdon, and in the Rural District of Hambledon the parishes of Alfold, Bramley, Busbridge, Cranleigh, Dunsfold, Ewhurst, Hambledon, Hascombe, and Wonersh.

1983–1997: The Borough of Guildford wards of Christchurch, Friary and St Nicolas, Holy Trinity, Merrow and Burpham, Onslow, Pilgrims, Shalford, Stoke, Stoughton, Tongham, Westborough, and Worplesdon, and the District of Waverley wards of Blackheath and Wonersh, Bramley, Cranleigh East, Cranleigh West, Ewhurst, and Shamley Green.

1997–2010: As above less Tongham ward.

2010–2024: The Borough of Guildford wards of Burpham, Christchurch, Friary and St Nicolas, Holy Trinity, Merrow, Onslow, Pilgrims, Shalford, Stoke, Stoughton, Westborough, and Worplesdon, and the Borough of Waverley wards of Alfold, Blackheath and Wonersh, Cranleigh East, Cranleigh Rural and Ellens Green, Cranleigh West, Ewhurst, and Shamley Green and Cranleigh North.

2024–present: The Borough of Guildford wards of Bellfields & Slyfield, Burpham, Castle, Clandon & Horsley, Effingham, Merrow, Onslow, Send & Lovelace, St Nicolas, Stoke, Stoughton North, Stoughton South, Westborough, and Worplesdon :Electorate reduced to bring it within the permitted range by transferring the parts in the Borough of Waverley, including Cranleigh to the newly created constituency of Godalming and Ash (except the small Ewhurst ward, which went to Dorking and Horley). To compensate, Clandon, Horsley, Effingham, Send and Lovelace in Guildford borough were added from the former Mole Valley seat.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1295–1640

MPs 1640–1868

Prior to 1868 the constituency was jointly represented by two MPs.

MPs since 1868

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

|reg. electors = 70,734

Elections in the 2010s

|reg. electors = 77,729

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

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.

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1950 general election. From 1918 to 1950 the three parts of western Surrey are set out at the 1918 results below. The next change saw an additional seat duty carved out, to be Woking. As a result, Guildford, now oversized, shrank considerably in area and population. To the south the areas of Godalming, Elstead, Thursley, Whitley, Haslemere and Chiddingford were added to the Farnham seat. To the east Send, Ripley, Wisley, Ockham, St Martha, Albury, Shere, Clandon and Horsley were added to Dorking.

These boundaries centred on the town of Guildford plus an area southwards towards Cranleigh, became, with small changes in later reviews, form the basic shape for Guildford until present.

Elections in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

Elections in the 1920s

|reg. electors = 58,958 |reg. electors = 41,164 |reg. electors = 39,931 |reg. electors = 39,087

Elections in the 1910s

|reg. electors = 36,427 From 1885 to 1918 the west part of Surrey had been represented by two seats - in the north the seat of Chertsey, in the south that of Guildford. Boundaries were redrawn for proper apportionment in time for the 1918 general election such that the same area saw three seats - Farnham in the west, Chertsey in the north east and Guildford in the south east.

As a result, the seat lost the areas of Ash, Normandy, Seale, Frensham and Farnham, towards its west, but to the east gained the areas of Merrow, Send, Ripley, Ockham, Wisley, Clandon and Horsley from Chertsey.

|reg. electors = 16,020

|reg. electors = 16,020

Elections in the 1900s

|reg. electors = 14,469 |reg. electors = 12,477

Elections in the 1890s

|reg. electors = 11,248

Elections in the 1880s

|reg. electors = 9,978

Constituency boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1885 general election. From 1868 to 1885 the west part of Surrey had been represented by two constituencies, one known as Guildford (which consisted of the town centre of Guildford and little else) and one constituency known as Surrey Western, which comprised the rest of that part of the county of Surrey. The Guildford constituency was both geographically and in size of electorate significantly smaller than the Surrey Western constituency. The 1885 to 1918 constituency boundaries saw the area of west Surrey divided into two constituencies more equal in size of population and land area. The north part of west Surrey was given the constituency name Chertsey, the south part Guildford.

|reg. electors = 1,406

Elections in the 1870s

|reg. electors = 1,306

Elections in the 1860s

|reg. electors = 1,219

Constituency boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1868 election.

Prior to the 1868 general election, the constituency of Guildford was represented by two Members of Parliament. That was reduced to one from 1868 onwards.

The 1868 to 1885 constituency known as Guildford was geographically limited to an area around the current centre of Guildford town. This is in marked contrast to the various post-1885 versions of the constituency known as Guildford all of which have had a much greater geographical area. The 1868 constituency was, at its maximum, little over one mile east to west, and just over one mile north to south. (Most of the area which is in the modern constituency of Guildford would in 1868 have been part of the Surrey Western Constituency, rather than the Guildford Constituency.)

|reg. electors = 667

The 17 December 1866 by-election was caused by Bovill resigning as an MP following his appointment to judicial office, namely Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas.

|reg. electors = 667

The 11 July 1866 by-election resulted from the need of Bovill to seek re-election upon his appointment as Solicitor General for England and Wales. Long withdrew from the contest before polling.

|reg. electors = 667

Elections in the 1850s

Party designations for many candidates during the 1830s, 1840s and 1850s can be problematic as party ties were not as strong as those that developed, in Britain, in the late 19th century. Therefore, for the 1830s to 1850s election results, listed below, the term Liberal includes Whigs and Radicals; and the term Conservative includes Tories and Peelites, unless otherwise specified.

|reg. electors = 677

|reg. electors = 666

The 22 October 1858 by-election was caused by RD Mangles resigning as an MP following his appointment as Member of the Council of India.

|reg. electors = 666

|reg. electors = 648

Elections in the 1840s

|reg. electors = 585

|reg. electors = 486

Elections in the 1830s

|reg. electors = 425

|reg. electors = 537

|reg. electors = 342

Constituency boundaries were redrawn in time for the 1832 general election.

|reg. electors = 175

|reg. electors =

Notes

References

Sources

• Election result, 2015 (BBC)
• Election result, 2010 (BBC)
• Election result, 2005 (BBC)
• Election results, 1997 - 2001 (BBC)
• Election results, 1997 - 2001 (Election Demon)
• Election results, 1983 - 1992 (Election Demon)
• Election results, 1945 - 1979 (Political Resources)

References

1. Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Guildford
2. [[Reform Act 1867]]: representation reduced to one seat with effect from the [[1868 United Kingdom general election. 1868 general election]].
3. [http://visionofbritain.org.uk/iipmooviewer/iipmooviewer_new.html?map=bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 Map Boundary Commission] VisionofBritain
4. (23 March 2023). "Guildford: New Boundaries 2023 Calculation".
5. "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust.
6. "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust.
7. "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust.
8. {{Rayment-hc. g. 2. (March 2012)
9. (1845). "The Parliaments of England, from 1st George I., to the Present Time. Vol II: Oxfordshire to Wales Inclusive". Simpkin, Marshall, & Co..
10. For political affiliation see Stoke next Guildford pp57-8, 1999 edition, author Lyn Clark, publisher Phillimore.
11. (10 July 1841). "Elections Decided". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser.
12. (10 July 1841). "Towns and Cities of England and Wales". Newcastle Journal.
13. (2013). "Charity and the Great Hunger in Ireland: The Kindness of Strangers". Bloomsbury.
14. (2 July 1852). "Guildford". London Standard.
15. (10 July 1852). "Guildford Election". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette.
16. For political affiliation see Guildford p180, 1982 edition, author ER Chamberlin, publisher Phillimore.
17. (30 October 1858). "News of the Week". Hertford Mercury and Reformer.
18. (30 October 1858). "Town Talk". Usk Observer, Raglan Herald, and Monmouthshire Central Advertiser.
19. "Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidates". [[Mark Pack]].
20. "Angela Richardson readopted as Conservative candidate". [[Angela Richardson]].
21. "Guildford Constituency". [[Reform UK]].
22. Guildford Labour Party. "We're delighted to announce the selection of @sarahgillinson as our Labour candidate for the General Election, here in the seat of Guildford! We are looking forward to Sarah bringing her values and ideas to campaign for Labour-led change in Guildford.".
23. "Guilford & Waverley Green Party members select Sam Peters as PPC for Guildford". Sam Peters.
24. "Guildford". [[BBC News]].
25. "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". [[UK Parliament]].
26. "Guildford Parliamentary constituency". BBC.
27. "Guildford parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
28. "Guildford".
29. "Election Data 2015". [[Electoral Calculus]].
30. "Election Data 2010". [[Electoral Calculus]].
31. "Election Data 2005". [[Electoral Calculus]].
32. "Election Data 2001". [[Electoral Calculus]].
33. "Election Data 1997". [[Electoral Calculus]].
34. "Election Data 1992". [[Electoral Calculus]].
35. (9 April 1992). "Politics Resources". Politics Resources.
36. "Election Data 1987". [[Electoral Calculus]].
37. "Election Data 1983". [[Electoral Calculus]].
38. For 1918 to 1950 constituency see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1917/Surrey_1917 {{Webarchive. link. (2 November 2013 , for 1950 to 1955 constituency see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1900s/Great_Britain_Sheet2 {{Webarchive). link. (2 November 2013)
39. "Politicsresources.net - Official Web Site ✔".
40. "Politicsresources.net - Official Web Site ✔".
41. 1918-1929 results see British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949 FWS Craig
42. See http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1917/Surrey_1917 {{Webarchive. link. (2 November 2013 for map of constituencies used in 1918 and compare to http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1885/Surrey_1885 {{Webarchive). link. (4 March 2016 for map of 1885-1918 constituencies.)
43. 1885-1910 results see British Parliamentary Results 1885-1918 FWS Craig
44. (1974). "British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885-1918". Macmillan Press.
45. (27 September 1890). "Sir Horace Davey, Q.C., M.P., has consented to address a Liberal meeting at Guildford on Monday evening". [[The Morning Post]].
46. "Horace Davey".
47. For 1868 constituency boundary maps see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 {{Webarchive. link. (1 December 2017 For 1885 to 1918 constituency boundary map see http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1885/Surrey_1885 {{Webarchive). link. (4 March 2016)
48. (1977). "British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885". Macmillan Press.
49. (3 April 1880). "The Pollings". Huddersfield Chronicle.
50. The boundary ran roughly from just west of Guildford Railway Station, to Cross Lanes in the east. See http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 {{Webarchive. link. (1 December 2017 for further details.)
51. (12 July 1866). "The by-elections". [[London Evening Standard]].
52. (19 July 1866). "Election Intelligence". Suffolk and Essex Free Press.
53. (22 July 1865). "To the Electors of the Borough of Guildford". [[Surrey Advertiser]].
54. (30 October 1858). "Guildford Election". West Surrey Times.
55. (24 July 1852). "West Surrey". Windsor and Eton Express.
56. (3 August 1847). "Guildford Election". Sussex Advertiser.
57. "6 January 1835". London Courier and Evening Gazette.
58. See http://vision.port.ac.uk/maps/sheet/bc_reports_1868/Guildford_1868 {{Webarchive. link. (1 December 2017 for 1832 constituency boundaries.)
59. "Guildford".