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Wells (UK Parliament constituency)

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Wells
Former county constituency and borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Wells in Somerset
Outline map
Location of Somerset within England
CountySomerset
Electorate79,989 (December 2010)[1]
1885–2024
SeatsTwo then one
Created fromMid Somerset and East Somerset
Replaced byWells and Mendip Hills
Glastonbury and Somerton
Bridgwater
1295–1868
SeatsTwo
Type of constituencyBorough constituency
Replaced byMid Somerset

Wells was a constituency[n 1] in Somerset in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. Apart from between 2010–2015, Wells was represented by members of the Conservative Party since 1924.[n 2]

Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was abolished, with most of it being transferred to the new constituency of Wells and Mendip Hills, to be first contested at the 2024 general election.[2]

History

[edit]

The original two-member borough constituency was created in 1295, and abolished by the Reform Act 1867 with effect from the 1868 general election. Its revival saw a more comparable size of electorate across the country and across Somerset, with a large swathe of the county covered by this new seat, under the plans of the third Reform Act and the connected Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 which was enacted the following year.

Political history

The seat was largely Conservative-held during the 20th century and has never elected a Labour MP. The only other political party to have been represented is the Liberal Democrats or their predecessor, the Liberal Party, who achieved a marginal victory in 2010, see marginal seat.

Prominent frontbenchers

Sir William Hayter was chief government whip of the Commons under three Liberal Prime Ministers governing from the Lords, (Lord John) Russell, Aberdeen and Palmerston.

So too in this role was Lord Hylton from 1916 to 1922 alongside the Lord Colebrooke in the Conservative-Liberal National coalition.

Robert Sanders was Deputy Chief Whip in the House of Commons, 1918–1919, and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, 1922–1924.

Robert Boscawen was a government whip (1988–1989).

David Heathcoat-Amory was Minister for Europe (1993–1994) and later a Shadow Cabinet member (1997–2001).

Boundaries

[edit]
Map
Map of boundaries 2010–2024

1885–1918: The Borough of Wells, and the Sessional Divisions of Axbridge and Wells (except the parish of Binegar).

1918–1950: The Boroughs of Glastonbury and Wells, the Urban Districts of Shepton Mallet and Street, the Rural Districts of Shepton Mallet, Wells, and Wincanton, and in the Rural District of Frome the parishes of Cloford, Marston Bigot, Nunney, Wanstrow, Whatley, and Witharn Friary.

1950–1983: The Boroughs of Glastonbury and Wells, the Urban Districts of Frome, Shepton Mallet, and Street, and the Rural Districts of Frome, Shepton Mallet, Wells, and Wincanton.

1983–2010: The District of Mendip wards of Ashwick, Avalon, Chilcompton and Ston Easton, Ebbor, Glastonbury St Benedict's, Glastonbury St Edmund's, Glastonbury St John's, Glastonbury St Mary's, Moor, Nedge, Pylcombe, Rodney, Sheppey, Shepton Mallet, Street North, Street South, Wells Central, Wells St Cuthbert's, and Wells St Thomas, and the District of Sedgemoor wards of Axbridge, Axe Vale, Berrow, Brent, Burnham North, Burnham South, Cheddar, Highbridge, Mark, Shipham, and Wedmore.

2010–2024: The District of Mendip wards of 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, and Wells St Thomas, and the District of Sedgemoor wards of Axbridge, Axe Vale, Berrow, Brent North, Burnham North, Burnham South, Cheddar and Shipham, Highbridge, Knoll, and Wedmore and Mark.

Constituency profile

[edit]

Aside from energy, transportation, retail, and distribution which are major sectors, agriculture and tourism are still important areas to this central and quite quintessential part of Somerset which includes the coastal resort of Burnham-on-Sea, the city of Wells with its cathedral, and notable natural landmarks such as the Cheddar Gorge and Glastonbury Tor. The site of the Glastonbury Festival also lies within this seat, causing a major influx of visitors in late June. The founder of the festival, Michael Eavis, stood as the Labour candidate for the 1997 election, receiving 10,204 votes, the highest for Labour since 1974.

Workless claimants who were registered jobseekers were in November 2012 significantly lower than the national average of 3.8%, at 2.1% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian.[3]

Members of Parliament

[edit]

MPs 1295–1640

[edit]
Parliament First member Second member
1386 Nicholas Cristesham Thomas Phelpes[4]
February 1388 Richard Ferrour Nicholas Cristesham[4]
September 1388 John Blithe Thomas Hore[4]
January 1390 Nicholas More Thomas Tanner[4]
November 1390
1391 John Newmaster Roger Chapman[4]
1393 John Newmaster John Blithe[4]
1394 John Newmaster Thomas Hore[4]
1395 Nicholas Cristesham John Comelond[4]
January 1397 Nicholas More Thomas Wynchester[4]
September 1397 Roger Chapman William Greynton[4]
1399 Thomas Tanner John Blithe[4]
1401
1402 John Wycombe Roger Chapman[4]
January 1404 Roger Chapman Richard Groos[4]
October 1404 Walter Dyer John Bowyer[4]
1406 Thomas Wey Thomas Jay[4]
1407 Walter Duddesdon John Newmaster[4]
1410 John Russell Luke Wilton[4]
1411
February 1413 John Horewode I John Podmore[4]
May 1413 John Horewode I Luke Wilton[4]
April 1414 John Podmore Thomas Dynt[4]
November 1414 John Hynden Thomas Dynt[4]
1415
March 1416
October 1416 Simon Bailly John Cutte[4]
1417 Richard Setter Hildebrand Elwell[4]
1419 Richard Perys Richard Langford[4]
1420 Richard Setter Hildebrand Elwell[4]
May 1421 Hildebrand Elwell Richard Perys[4]
December 1421 Robert Elwell John Pedewell[4]
1510 John Welshot John Mawdley I[5]
1512 Walter Sarger Richard alias Robert Ruynon[5]
1515 Walter Sarger Richard alias Robert Ruynon[5]
1523 Walter Sarger John Mawdley I[5]
1529 John Cutte John Mawdley II[5]
1536 ?
1539 John Mawdley II John Godwin[5]
1542 John Godwin James Dyer[5]
1545 John Mawdley II Anthony Gilbert[5]
1547 Thomas Clerke John Aylworth[5]
First Parliament of 1553 John Aylworth William Godwin
Second Parliament of 1553 Thomas Lewis John Godwin
Parliament of 1554 John Mawdley II
Parliament of 1554–1555 William Gedney or Godwin
Parliament of 1555 Maurice Llewellyn
Parliament of 1558 John Aylworth died during the 1572 Parliament
In his place Ayshton Aylworth 		John Mawdley II
Parliament of 1559
Parliament of 1563–1567 John Hippisley
Parliament of 1571 Henry Newton
Parliament of 1572–1581 William Bowerman
Parliament of 1584–1585 James Bisse George Upton
Parliament of 1586–1587 Thomas Godwyn William Smith
Parliament of 1588–1589 Thomas Purfrey John Ayshe
Parliament of 1593 Richard Goodwin James Goodwin
Parliament of 1597–1598 Leonard Crosse William Watkins
Parliament of 1601 James Kirton George Upton
Parliament of 1604–1611 Sir Robert Stapleton (Edward Forsett)[6]
Addled Parliament (1614) Sidney Montagu Thomas Southworth
Parliament of 1621–1622 Sir Edward Rodney
Happy Parliament (1624–1625)
Useless Parliament (1625) Sir Thomas Lake
Parliament of 1625–1626
Parliament of 1628–1629 Sir Ralph Hopton John Baber
No Parliament summoned 1629–1640

MPs 1640–1832

[edit]
Election First member[7] First party Second member[7] Second party
April 1640 Sir Edward Rodney Royalist John Baber
November 1640 Sir Ralph Hopton Royalist
August 1642 Rodney and Hopton disabled from sitting – both seats vacant
1645 Lislebone Long Recruiter Clement Walker
December 1648 Walker excluded in Pride's Purge – seat vacant
1653 Wells was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament
1654 Lislebone Long Wells had only one seat in the First and
Second Parliaments of the Protectorate
1656 John Jenkyn
January 1659 Sir Lislebone Long Thomas White
May 1659 Not represented in the restored Rump
April 1660 Henry Bull Thomas White
1661 Sir Maurice Berkeley Lord Richard Butler
1673 John Hall
1679 Edward Berkeley William Coward
1680 John Hall
1685 Edward Berkeley Thomas Wyndham (died December 1689)
January 1690 William Coward
February 1690 Hopton Wyndham
1695 William Coward
1701 Henry Seymour Portman
1705 Maurice Berkeley
1708 Edward Colston William Coward
1710 Maurice Berkeley
1713 Sir Thomas Wroth Tory
1715 Thomas Strangways Horner Tory
May 1716 William Coward William Piers Whig
June 1716 Thomas Strangways Horner Tory
1717 John Dodd Whig
1719 Thomas Edwards
1722 Francis Gwyn
1727 Edward Prideaux Gwyn
1729 William Piers
1734 George Hamilton
1735 William Piers George Speke
1741 Francis Gwyn
1747 George Hamilton
1754 Lord Digby Charles Tudway
1757 Captain Robert Digby
1761 Lord Digby Clement Tudway
1765 Peter Taylor
1766 Robert Child
1782 John Curtis
1784 William Beckford
1790 Henry Berkeley Portman
1796 Sir Charles Taylor Whig[8]
1815 John Paine Tudway Tory[8]
1830 John Edwards-Vaughan Tory[8] John Lee Lee Whig[8]

MPs 1832–1868

[edit]
Election First member First party Second member Second party
1832 Norman Lamont Whig[8] John Lee Lee Whig[8]
1834 by-election Nicholas Ridley-Colborne Whig[8]
1837 Richard Blakemore Conservative[8] William Hayter Whig[9][10][11][8]
1852 Robert Tudway Conservative
1855 by-election Hedworth Jolliffe Conservative
1859 Liberal
1865 Arthur Hayter Liberal
1868 borough constituency abolished

MPs 1885–2024

[edit]
Election Member Party
1885 Sir Richard Paget, Bt. Conservative
1895 Hylton Jolliffe Conservative
1899 by-election Robert Edmund Dickinson Conservative
1906 Thomas Ball Silcock Liberal
January 1910 George Sandys Conservative
1918 Harry Greer Coalition Conservative
1922 Robert Bruford Conservative
1923 Arthur Hobhouse Liberal
1924 Sir Robert Sanders, Bt. Conservative
1929 Anthony Muirhead Conservative
1939 Lt. Col. Dennis Boles Conservative
1951 Lynch Maydon Conservative
1970 Robert Boscawen Conservative
1983 David Heathcoat-Amory Conservative
2010 Tessa Munt Liberal Democrats
2015 James Heappey Conservative
2024 constituency abolished: see Wells and Mendip Hills

Elections

[edit]
Wells election results

Elections in the 2010s

[edit]
General election 2019: Wells[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Heappey 33,336 54.1 +4.0
Liberal Democrats Tessa Munt 23,345 37.9 +0.3
Labour Kama McKenzie 4,304 7.0 −4.7
Independent Dave Dobbs 373 0.6 New
Motherworld Party Susie Quatermass 270 0.4 New
Majority 9,991 16.2 +3.7
Turnout 61,628 73.5 −0.4
Conservative hold Swing +1.9
General election 2017: Wells[13][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Heappey 30,488 50.1 +4.0
Liberal Democrats Tessa Munt 22,906 37.6 +4.8
Labour Andy Merryfield 7,129 11.7 +5.1
CPA Lorna Corke 320 0.5 New
Majority 7,582 12.5 −0.8
Turnout 60,843 73.95 +2.2
Conservative hold Swing -0.5
See also: Endorsements in the United Kingdom general election, 2017 § Wells
General election 2015: Wells[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative James Heappey 26,247 46.1 +3.6
Liberal Democrats Tessa Munt 18,662 32.8 −11.2
UKIP Helen Hims 5,644 9.9 +6.8
Labour Chris Inchley 3,780 6.6 −0.9
Green Jon Cousins 2,331 4.1 +3.0
Independent Paul Arnold 83 0.1 New
Birthday Dave Dobbs 81 0.1 New
Independent Gypsy Watkins[17] 76 0.1 New
Majority 7,585 13.3 N/A
Turnout 56,904 71.7 +1.4
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +7.4
General election 2010: Wells[18][19][20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Tessa Munt 24,560 44.0 +6.1
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 23,760 42.5 −1.0
Labour Andy Merryfield 4,198 7.5 −8.1
UKIP Jake Baynes 1,711 3.1 +0.1
BNP Richard Boyce 1,004 1.8 New
Green Chris Briton 631 1.1 New
Majority 800 1.5 N/A
Turnout 55,864 70.3 +2.6
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +3.6

Elections in the 2000s

[edit]
General election 2005: Wells[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 23,071 43.6 −0.2
Liberal Democrats Tessa Munt 20,031 37.8 −0.5
Labour Dan Whittle 8,288 15.6 +0.2
UKIP Steve Reed 1,575 3.0 +0.8
Majority 3,040 5.8 +0.3
Turnout 52,965 68.0 −1.2
Conservative hold Swing +0.1
General election 2001: Wells[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 22,462 43.8 +4.4
Liberal Democrats Graham Oakes 19,666 38.3 −0.2
Labour Andy Merryfield 7,915 15.4 −2.7
UKIP Steve Reed 1,104 2.2 New
Wessex Regionalist Colin Bex 167 0.3 New
Majority 2,796 5.5 +4.6
Turnout 51,314 69.2 −8.6
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

[edit]
General election 1997: Wells[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 22,208 39.4 −10.2
Liberal Democrats Peter Gold 21,680 38.5 +0.5
Labour Michael Eavis 10,204 18.1 +7.5
Referendum Patricia Phelps 2,196 3.9 New
Natural Law Lynn Royse 92 0.2 New
Majority 528 0.9 −10.7
Turnout 56,380 77.8 −4.9
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1992: Wells[24][25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 28,620 49.6 −3.9
Liberal Democrats Humphrey Temperley 21,971 38.0 +0.4
Labour John Pilgrim 6,126 10.6 +1.9
Green Mike Fenner 1,042 1.8 New
Majority 6,649 11.6 −4.4
Turnout 57,759 82.7 +3.1
Conservative hold Swing −2.2

Elections in the 1980s

[edit]
General election 1987: Wells[26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 28,624 53.5 +0.9
Liberal Alan Butt-Philip 20,083 37.6 −1.4
Labour Peter James 4,637 8.7 +0.9
Independent John Fish 134 0.3 New
Majority 8,541 16.0 +2.4
Turnout 53,478 79.6 +2.0
Conservative hold Swing +1.3
General election 1983: Wells[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Heathcoat-Amory 25,385 52.6 +1.2
Liberal Alan Butt-Philip 18,810 39.0 +8.2
Labour Andrew Leigh 3,747 7.8 −9.1
Independent G. Livings 273 0.6 −0.1
Majority 6,575 13.6 −7.0
Turnout 48,215 77.6 −1.6
Conservative hold Swing -3.5

Elections in the 1970s

[edit]
General election 1979: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Boscawen 30,400 51.35
Liberal Alan Butt-Philip 18,204 30.75
Labour Paul Murphy 10,025 16.93
Independent G. Livings 421 0.71 New
Wessex Regionalist Viscount Weymouth 155 0.26 New
Majority 12,196 20.60 +6.59
Turnout 59,205 79.24
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Boscawen 23,979 43.64
Liberal Alan Butt-Philip 16,278 29.63
Labour G. Mortimer 13,909 25.31
United Democratic Party P. Howard 778 1.42 New
Majority 7,701 14.01
Turnout 54,944 78.88
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Boscawen 25,430 44.25
Liberal Alan Butt-Philip 17,645 30.70
Labour D.K. Pearce 14,399 25.05
Majority 7,785 13.55
Turnout 57,474 83.29
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Boscawen 25,106 49.6 +6.6
Labour Frank R. Thompson 16,335 32.3 −3.3
Liberal William Fedde J Pinching 9,174 18.1 −3.3
Majority 8,771 17.3 +9.9
Turnout 50,615 77.4 −4.1
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

[edit]
General election 1966: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lynch Maydon 20,528 43.0 −0.2
Labour John G Cousins 16,989 35.6 +4.1
Liberal Howard Fry 10,224 21.4 −3.9
Majority 3,539 7.4 −4.3
Turnout 47,741 81.5 −0.9
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lynch Maydon 20,663 43.2 −5.4
Labour Reginald George White 15,080 31.5 −2.7
Liberal Howard Fry 12,132 25.3 +8.2
Majority 5,583 11.7 −2.7
Turnout 47,875 82.4 −1.2
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

[edit]
General election 1959: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lynch Maydon 23,357 48.6 −7.8
Labour Jon Antony A Evans 16,452 34.2 −9.3
Liberal Paul R Hobhouse 8,220 17.1 New
Majority 6,905 14.4 +1.5
Turnout 48,029 83.6 +4.1
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lynch Maydon 25,624 56.4 +1.2
Labour Maxwell Bresler 19,745 43.5 −1.3
Majority 5,879 12.9 +2.5
Turnout 45,369 79.5 −4.7
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lynch Maydon 26,524 55.2 +12.6
Labour David Llewellyn 21,481 44.8 +7.6
Majority 5,043 10.4 +5.0
Turnout 48,005 84.2 −3.6
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Dennis Boles 20,613 42.6
Labour Dorothy Archibald 17,987 37.2
Liberal Anthony Marreco 9,771 20.2
Majority 2,626 5.4
Turnout 48,371 87.8
Conservative hold Swing

Election in the 1940s

[edit]
General election 1945: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Dennis Boles 13,004 41.3 −12.1
Labour Cyril Morgan 10,539 33.5 +13.0
Liberal Violet Bonham Carter 7,910 25.2 −0.9
Majority 2,465 7.8 −19.5
Turnout 31,453 75.0 +1.3
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1930s

[edit]
1939 Wells by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Dennis Boles Unopposed N/A N/A
Conservative hold

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;

General election 1935: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anthony Muirhead 14,898 53.4 −5.3
Liberal Arnold Hilward Jones 7,277 26.1 −15.2
Labour William James Waring 5,716 20.5 New
Majority 7,621 27.3 +9.9
Turnout 27,891 73.7 −13.8
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Anthony Muirhead 17,711 58.7 +15.1
Liberal John Thompson 12,440 41.3 −0.1
Majority 5,271 17.4 +15.2
Turnout 30,151 87.5 +5.0
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s

[edit]
Arthur Hobhouse
General election 1929: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Anthony Muirhead 13,026 43.6 −9.0
Liberal Arthur Hobhouse 12,382 41.4 +5.3
Labour Ruby Davies 4,472 15.0 +3.7
Majority 644 2.2 −14.3
Turnout 29,880 82.5 +0.3
Unionist hold Swing -7.2
General election 1924: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Robert Sanders 12,642 52.6 +8.4
Liberal Arthur Hobhouse 8,668 36.1 +11.9
Labour Wilfred Thomas Young 2,726 11.3 +3.7
Majority 3,974 16.5 N/A
Turnout 24,036 82.2 +3.1
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing
General election 6 December 1923: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Hobhouse 10,818 48.2 +14.8
Unionist Robert Bruford 9,909 44.2 −3.5
Labour Charles Henry Whitlow 1,713 7.6 −11.3
Majority 909 4.0 N/A
Turnout 22,440 79.1 +1.3
Liberal gain from Unionist Swing +9.1
General election 1922: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Robert Bruford 10,210 47.7 −8.1
Liberal Arthur Hobhouse 7,156 33.4 −6.2
Labour Len Smith 4,048 18.9 New
Majority 3,054 14.3 −1.9
Turnout 21,414 77.8 +12.8
Unionist hold Swing

Election results 1885–1918

[edit]

Elections in the 1880s

[edit]
General election 1885: Wells [29][30][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Paget 4,200 55.7
Liberal Pandeli Ralli 3,335 44.3
Majority 865 11.4
Turnout 7,535 79.3
Registered electors 9,501
Conservative win (new seat)
General election 1886: Wells [29][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Paget Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1890s

[edit]
General election 1892: Wells [29][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Paget 4,335 56.1 N/A
Liberal Beaumont Morice 3,395 43.9 New
Majority 940 12.2 N/A
Turnout 7,730 75.6 N/A
Registered electors 10,230
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General election 1895: Wells [29][32][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hylton Jolliffe 4,696 58.8 +2.7
Liberal Beaumont Morice 3,286 41.2 −2.7
Majority 1,410 17.6 +5.4
Turnout 7,982 74.1 −1.5
Registered electors 10,771
Conservative hold Swing −5.4

Joliffe's elevation to the peerage, becoming Lord Hylton, caused a by-election.

By-election, 7 Dec 1899: Wells[29][32][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Edmund Dickinson Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1900s

[edit]
General election 1900: Wells [29][32][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Edmund Dickinson Unopposed
Conservative hold
Silcock
General election 1906: Wells [29][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Ball Silcock 5,146 51.9 New
Conservative Robert Edmund Dickinson 4,761 48.1 N/A
Majority 385 3.8 N/A
Turnout 9,907 84.5 N/A
Registered electors 11,725
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing N/A

Elections in the 1910s

[edit]
General election January 1910: Wells [33][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Sandys 6,167 55.9 +7.8
Liberal Thomas Ball Silcock 4,871 44.1 −7.8
Majority 1,296 11.8 N/A
Turnout 11,038 87.3 +2.8
Registered electors 12,642
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +7.8
General election December 1910: Wells [33][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Sandys 6,178 60.1 +4.2
Liberal Arthur Lane Wills 4,094 39.9 −4.2
Majority 2,084 20.2 +8.4
Turnout 10,272 81.3 −6.0
Registered electors 12,642
Conservative hold Swing +4.2

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;

General election 1918: Wells
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Harry Greer 9,786 55.8 −4.3
Liberal John Coleby Morland 6,935 39.6 −0.3
National G.C.S. Hodgson 804 4.6 New
Majority 2,851 16.2 −4.0
Turnout 17,525 65.0 −16.3
Registered electors 26,951
Unionist hold Swing −2.0
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Election results 1832–1868

[edit]

Elections in the 1830s

[edit]
General election 1832: Wells[8][34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Norman Lamont (MP for Wells) 169 30.2
Whig John Lee Lee 167 29.9
Whig Nicholas Ridley-Colborne 164 29.3
Tory John Edwards-Vaughan 59 10.6
Majority 3 0.6
Turnout 318 94.1
Registered electors 338
Whig hold
Whig gain from Tory
  • Edwards-Vaughan resigned on the first day of polling

Lamont's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 5 May 1834: Wells[8][34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Nicholas Ridley-Colborne Unopposed
Whig hold
General election 1835: Wells[8][34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig Nicholas Ridley-Colborne Unopposed
Whig John Lee Lee Unopposed
Registered electors 377
Whig hold
Whig hold
General election 1837: Wells[34][8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Richard Blakemore Unopposed
Whig William Hayter Unopposed
Registered electors 402
Conservative gain from Whig
Whig hold

Elections in the 1840s

[edit]
General election 1841: Wells[34][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Blakemore Unopposed
Whig William Hayter Unopposed
Registered electors 346
Conservative hold
Whig hold
General election 1847: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Blakemore Unopposed
Whig William Hayter Unopposed
Registered electors 375
Conservative hold
Whig hold

Hayter was appointed Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 27 December 1847: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig William Hayter Unopposed
Whig hold

Elections in the 1850s

[edit]
General election 1852: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Tudway 187 40.4 N/A
Whig William Hayter 175 37.8 N/A
Radical John Alexander Kinglake[35] 101 21.8 N/A
Turnout 232 (est) 71.2 (est) N/A
Registered electors 325
Majority 12 2.6 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Majority 74 16.0 N/A
Whig hold Swing N/A

Tudway's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 21 November 1855: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Hedworth Jolliffe 146 54.7 +14.3
Radical John Alexander Kinglake[36] 121 45.3 +23.5
Majority 25 9.4 +6.8
Turnout 267 70.3 −0.9
Registered electors 380
Conservative hold Swing −4.6
General election 1857: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig William Hayter Unopposed
Conservative Hedworth Jolliffe Unopposed
Registered electors 343
Whig hold
Conservative hold
General election 1859: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Hayter Unopposed
Conservative Hedworth Jolliffe Unopposed
Registered electors 327
Liberal hold
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1860s

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General election 1865: Wells[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Arthur Hayter Unopposed
Conservative Hedworth Jolliffe Unopposed
Registered electors 274
Liberal hold
Conservative hold

Elections before 1832

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Elections in the 1830s

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General election 1830: Wells[8][37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory John Edwards-Vaughan 196 38.0
Whig John Lee Lee 195 37.8
Tory Richard Blakemore 125 24.2
Turnout 308 c. 88.0
Registered electors c. 350
Majority 1 0.2
Tory hold Swing
Majority 70 13.6
Whig hold Swing
General election 1831: Wells[8][37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Tory John Edwards-Vaughan Unopposed
Whig John Lee Lee Unopposed
Registered electors c. 350
Tory hold
Whig hold

See also

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Notes

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

References

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  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. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume one: Report – South West | Boundary Commission for England". boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  3. ^ Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa "Wells 1386–1421". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Wells 1509–1558". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Forsett, Edward (c.1554–1630), of Marylebone, Mdx. and Charing Cross House, Westminster". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  7. ^ a b Cassidy, Irene. "Wells 1660–1690". History of Parliament Online. The History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Stooks Smith, Henry (1845). The Parliaments of England, from 1st George I., to the Present Time. Vol II: Oxfordshire to Wales Inclusive. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. pp. 37–38. Retrieved 22 December 2018 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Mosse, Richard Bartholomew (1838). The Parliamentary Guide: a concise history of the Members of both Houses, etc. p. 181. Retrieved 22 July 2018 – via Google Books.
  10. ^ The Spectator, Volume 10. F.C. Westley. 1837. p. 758. Retrieved 22 July 2018 – via Google Books.
  11. ^ "Bell's Weekly Messenger". 24 July 1837. p. 8. Retrieved 22 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Results of the UK Parliamentary General Election – Wells Constituency". Retrieved 4 May 2020.
  13. ^ [1][dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Wells". BBC. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Wells". BBC. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  17. ^ "Highbridge singer Gypsy Watkins to stand as MP candidate in May". Weekly News. Burnham and Highbridge. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  19. ^ "General Election 2010". Mendip District Council. 20 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2010.
  20. ^ "BBC NEWS – Election 2010 – Wells". BBC News.
  21. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  26. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  28. ^ The Liberal Magazine, 1939
  29. ^ a b c d e f g The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  30. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885–1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
  32. ^ a b c Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
  33. ^ a b Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
  35. ^ "Wells Election". Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette. 1 November 1855. p. 4. Retrieved 22 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  36. ^ "Sherborne Mercury". 13 November 1855. p. 3. Retrieved 22 July 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  37. ^ a b Jenkins, Terry. "Wells". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 30 April 2020.

Sources

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  • Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  • D Brunton & D H Pennington, Members of the Long Parliament (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954)
  • Cobbett's Parliamentary history of England, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the year 1803 (London: Thomas Hansard, 1808) titles A-Z
  • Henry Stooks Smith, The Parliaments of England from 1715 to 1847, Volume 2 (London: Simpkin, Marshall & Co, 1845) The Parliaments of England: From 1st George I., to the Present Time
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