Southport (UK Parliament constituency)

UK constituency infobox
Name = Southport
Map1 = Southport
Map2 = Merseyside
Entity = Merseyside
Type = Borough
County = Merseyside
Year = 1885
MP = John Pugh
Party = Liberal Democrats
EP = North West England

Southport is a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

Boundaries

The constituency covers the northern part of the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton, including the town of Southport and the localities of Ainsdale, Birkdale, and Crossens. The constituency is bordered to the north by Ribble South, to the east by West Lancashire, and to the south by Crosby.

Members of Parliament

History

The constituency has been a Liberal - Conservative marginal for much of its history, changing hands 10 times between the two parties since it was created in 1885. Its most notable MPs were George Nathaniel Curzon, future Viceroy of India, Edward Marshall-Hall one of the most notable trial Lawyers of the early 20th century and Sir John Fowler Leece Brunner, son of the leading industrialist Sir John Tomlinson Brunner. On the decline of the Liberal Party in the 1930's the constituency became a safe Conservative Party seat.

With the rise again of the Liberal Party in the early 1970's, it again became a closely contested marginal. The constituency changed hands again in the 1987 general election, when it was taken by Ronnie Fearn of the Liberal Party for the SDP-Liberal Alliance (shortly before the two parties merged to form the Liberal Democrats).

Fearn lost the seat to the Conservatives' Matthew Banks at the 1992 election, only to regain it at the 1997 election. The Liberal Democrats have held the seat since then, with John Pugh representing the constituency since Fearn stood down in 2001. The constituency is at present the only one on Merseyside not held by the Labour Party.

An interesting note is that the former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott ran for the seat in 1966, but came in second place.

Election results

Elections in the 2000s

Election box begin
title=Next United Kingdom general election: Southport [ [http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/guide/seat-profiles/southport ukpollingreport] ] Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Jim Conalty
votes =
percentage =
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = United Kingdom Independence Party
candidate = Terry Durrance
votes =
percentage =
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Brenda Porter
votes =
percentage =
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = John Pugh
votes =
percentage =
change =

Election box begin
title=General Election 2005: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = John Pugh
votes = 19,093
percentage = 46.3
change = +2.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Mark Bigley
votes = 15,255
percentage = 37.0
change = +0.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Paul Brant
votes = 5,277
percentage = 12.8
change = -3.8Election box candidate with party link
party = United Kingdom Independence Party
candidate = Terry Durrance
votes = 749
percentage = 1.8
change = +0.5Election box candidate
party = Your Party
candidate = Bill Givens
votes = 589
percentage = 1.4
change = +1.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Veritas (political party)
candidate = Harry Forster
votes = 238
percentage = 0.6
change = +0.6Election box majority
votes = 3,838
percentage = 9.3
change = Election box turnout
votes = 41,201
percentage = 69.4
change = +10.8Election box hold with party link
winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
swing = +1.0

Election box begin
title=General Election 2001: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = John Pugh
votes = 18,011
percentage = 43.8
change = -4.3Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Laurence Jones
votes = 15,004
percentage = 36.5
change = +0.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Paul Brant
votes = 6,816
percentage = 16.6
change = +4.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK, 1989)
candidate = David Green
votes = 767
percentage = 1.9
change = +1.1Election box candidate with party link
party = United Kingdom Independence Party
candidate = Gerry Kelley
votes = 555
percentage = 1.3
change = "N/A"Election box majority
votes = 3,007
percentage = 7.3
change = Election box turnout
votes = 41,153
percentage = 58.6
change = -13.5Election box hold with party link
winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1990s

Election box begin
title=General Election 1997: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 24,356
percentage = 48.1
change = +6.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Matthew Banks
votes = 18,186
percentage = 35.9
change = -11.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = S Norman
votes = 6,129
percentage = 12.1
change = +1.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Referendum Party
candidate = F Buckle
votes = 1,368
percentage = 2.7
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK, 1989)
candidate = S Ashton
votes = 386
percentage = 0.8
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Natural Law Party
candidate = E Lines
votes = 93
percentage = 0.2
change = -0.1Election box candidate with party link
party = National Democrats (UK)
candidate = M Middleton
votes = 92
percentage = 0.2
change = Election box majority
votes = 6,170
percentage = 12.2
change = Election box turnout
votes = 50,610
percentage = 72.1
change = -5.5Election box gain with party link
winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)
loser = Conservative Party (UK)
swing = 8.9

Election box begin
title=General Election 1992: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Matthew Banks
votes = 26,801
percentage = 47.0
change = +2.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 23,018
percentage = 41.5
change = -6.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = J King
votes = 5,637
percentage = 10.2
change = +3.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = J Walker
votes = 545
percentage = 1.0
change = -0.2Election box candidate with party link
party = Natural Law Party
candidate = G Clements
votes = 159
percentage = 0.3
change =Election box majority
votes = 3,063
percentage = 5.5
change = Election box turnout
votes = 55,440
percentage = 77.6
change = Election box gain with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Democrats (UK)
swing = 4.5

Elections in the 1980s

Election box begin
title=General Election 1987: Southport

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 26,110
percentage = 47.9
change = +7.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Nigel Thomas
votes = 24,261
percentage = 44.5
change = -5.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Audrey Moore
votes = 3,483
percentage = 6.4
change = -1.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Green Party of England and Wales
candidate = Justin Walker
votes = 653
percentage = 1.2
change = Election box majority
votes = 1,849
percentage = 3.4
change = Election box turnout
votes = 54,507
percentage = 76.3
change = Election box gain with party link
winner = Liberal Party (UK)
loser = Conservative Party (UK)
swing = 6.7

Election box begin
title=General Election 1983: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 25,612
percentage = 50.4
change = -0.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Brodie-Browne
votes = 20,573
percentage = 40.5
change = +2.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = Francis Brady
votes = 4,233
percentage = 8.3
change = -2.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Independent (politician)
candidate = K Wood
votes = 374
percentage = 0.7
change = Election box majority
votes = 5,039
percentage = 9.9
change = -2.9Election box turnout
votes = 50,792
percentage = 72.5
change = -2.2Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1970s

Election box begin
title=General Election 1979: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 25,953
percentage = 50.8
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 19,426
percentage = 38.0
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = I G James
votes = 5,725
percentage = 12.8
change = Election box majority
votes = 6,527
percentage = 12.8
change = Election box turnout
votes = 51,104
percentage = 74.7
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 23,014
percentage = 47.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 17,387
percentage = 35.7
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = I G James
votes = 8,323
percentage = 17.1
change = Election box majority
votes = 5,627
percentage = 11.5
change = Election box turnout
votes = 48,724
percentage = 73.7
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 23,975
percentage = 47.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 20,093
percentage = 39.6
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = P R Ward
votes = 6,690
percentage = 13.2
change = Election box majority
votes = 3,882
percentage = 7.6
change = Election box turnout
votes = 50,758
percentage = 77.4
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 22,950
percentage = 50.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Ronnie Fearn
votes = 13,809
percentage = 30.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = B T George
votes = 8,950
percentage = 19.6
change = Election box majority
votes = 9,141
percentage = 20.4
change = Election box turnout
votes = 45,709
percentage = 70.5
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1960s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 22,324
percentage = 51.0
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = John Prescott
votes = 12,798
percentage = 29.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = C J Coleman
votes = 8,630
percentage = 19.7
change = Election box majority
votes = 9,526
percentage = 21.8
change = Election box turnout
votes = 43,752
percentage = 72.7
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 23,917
percentage = 51.9
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = L Goldwater
votes = 11,572
percentage = 25.1
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = C J Coleman
votes = 10,609
percentage = 23.0
change = Election box majority
votes = 12,345
percentage = 26.7
change = Election box turnout
votes = 46,098
percentage = 76.5
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1950s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Ian Percival
votes = 26,905
percentage = 56.0
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = S Goldberg
votes = 11,292
percentage = 23.5
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = C W Hadfield
votes = 9,805
percentage = 20.4
change = Election box majority
votes = 15,613
percentage = 32.5
change = Election box turnout
votes = 48,002
percentage = 76.8
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Roger Fleetwood-Hesketh
votes = 30,268
percentage = 70.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = P Cameron
votes = 12,827
percentage = 29.8
change = Election box majority
votes = 17,441
percentage = 40.5
change = Election box turnout
votes = 43,095
percentage = 68.8
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Roger Fleetwood-Hesketh
votes = 24,589
percentage =
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = A L Tillotson
votes = 11,310
percentage =
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = H D Bentliff
votes = 3,776
percentage =
change = Election box majority
votes = 13,279
percentage =
change = Election box turnout
votes = 39,675
percentage =
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Robert Hudson
votes = 30,388
percentage = 60.2
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = H O Ellis
votes = 12,535
percentage = 24.8
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = H D Bentliff
votes = 7,576
percentage = 15.0
change = Election box majority
votes = 17,853
percentage = 35.3
change = Election box turnout
votes = 50,499
percentage = 77.7
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Robert Hudson
votes = 29,766
percentage = 56.3
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = J P Bonney
votes = 14,159
percentage = 26.8
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = H Ellington
votes = 8,933
percentage = 16.9
change = Election box majority
votes = 15,607
percentage = 29.5
change = Election box turnout
votes = 52,858
percentage = 81.8
change = Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1940s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Robert Hudson
votes = 26,792
percentage = 52.7
change = -19.5Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = W Hamling
votes = 13,596
percentage = 26.8
change = -1.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = R Martin
votes = 10,404
percentage = 20.5
change = Election box majority
votes = 13,196
percentage = 25.9
change = -18.5Election box turnout
votes = 50,792
percentage = 74.2
change = +3.3Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1930s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Robert Hudson
votes = 29,652
percentage = 72.2
change = +3.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = R C Willis
votes = 11,419
percentage = 27.8
change = Election box majority
votes = 18,233
percentage = 44.4
change = +7.6Election box turnout
votes = 41,071
percentage = 70.9
change = -8.8Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Robert Hudson
votes = 30,307
percentage = 68.4
change = +20.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = R M Hughes
votes = 13,983
percentage = 31.6
change = -7.8Election box majority
votes = 16,324
percentage = 36.8
change = +27.9Election box turnout
votes = 44,290
percentage = 79.7
change = +0.1Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1920s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Godfrey Dalrymple-White
votes = 21,161
percentage = 48.3
change = -12.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = C B Ramage
votes = 17,220
percentage = 39.4
change = +0.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = A L Williams
votes = 5,380
percentage = 12.3
change = Election box majority
votes = 3,941
percentage = 8.9
change = -13.1Election box turnout
votes = 43,761
percentage = 79.6
change = +1.2Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Godfrey Dalrymple-White
votes = 17,430
percentage = 61.0
change = +12.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = John Fowler Leece Brunner
votes = 11,158
percentage = 39.0
change = -12.8Election box majority
votes = 6,272
percentage = 22.0
change = Election box turnout
votes = 28,588
percentage = 78.7
change = +2.8Election box gain with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = John Fowler Leece Brunner
votes = 13,704
percentage = 51.8
change = +5.0Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = T W Comyn-Platt
votes = 12,776
percentage = 48.2
change = -5.0Election box majority
votes = 928
percentage = 3.6
change = Election box turnout
votes = 26,480
percentage = 75.9
change = -0.4Election box gain with party link
winner = Liberal Party (UK)
loser = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Godfrey Dalrymple-White
votes = 13,733
percentage = 53.2
change = -18.8Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = John Fowler Leece Brunner
votes = 12,068
percentage = 46.8
change = Election box majority
votes = 1,665
percentage = 6.4
change = -37.6Election box turnout
votes = 25,801
percentage = 76.3
change = +14.7Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1910s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Coalition Conservative
candidate = Godfrey Dalrymple-White
votes = 14,707
percentage = 72.0
change = +19.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Labour Party (UK)
candidate = A Greenwood
votes = 5,727
percentage = 28.0
change = Election box majority
votes = 8,980
percentage = 44.0
change = +39.4Election box turnout
votes = 20,434
percentage = 61.6
change = -24.0Election box hold with party link
winner = Coalition Conservative
swing =

Election box begin
title=General Election December 1910: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Godfrey Dalrymple-White
votes = 7,467
percentage = 52.3
change = +0.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = H B D Woodcock
votes = 6,798
percentage = 47.7
change = -0.9Election box majority
votes = 669
percentage = 4.6
change = +1.8Election box turnout
votes = 14,265
percentage = 85.6
change = -3.6Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box begin
title=General Election January 1910: SouthportElection box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Godfrey Dalrymple-White
votes = 7,637
percentage = 51.4
change = +2.3Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Baron De Forest
votes = 7,218
percentage = 48.6
change = -2.3Election box majority
votes = 419
percentage = 2.8
change = Election box turnout
votes = 14,855
percentage = 89.2
change = +1.9Election box gain with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1900s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = John Meir Astbury
votes = 6,607
percentage = 50.9
change = +1.9Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Edward Marshall-Hall
votes = 6,367
percentage = 49.1
change = -1.9Election box majority
votes = 240
percentage = 1.8
change = Election box turnout
votes = 12,974
percentage = 87.3
change = +5.0Election box gain with party link
winner = Liberal Party (UK)
loser = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Edward Marshall-Hall
votes = 5,522
percentage = 51.0
change = +3.7Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = George Augustus Pilkington
votes = 5,313
percentage = 49.0
change = -3.7Election box majority
votes = 209
percentage = 2.0
change = Election box turnout
votes = 10,835
percentage = 82.3
change = -2.1Election box gain with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1890s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = George Augustus Pilkington
votes = 5,635
percentage = 52.7
change = +1.3Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = C B Balfour
votes = 5,052
percentage = 47.3
change = -1.3Election box majority
votes = 583
percentage = 5.4
change = +2.6Election box turnout
votes = 10,687
percentage = 84.4
change = +4.3Election box hold with party link
winner = Liberal Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Sir Herbert Naylor-Leyland
votes = 5,100
percentage = 51.4
change = +5.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = Lord Skelmersdale
votes = 4,828
percentage = 48.6
change = -5.4Election box majority
votes = 272
percentage = 2.8
change = Election box turnout
votes = 9,928
percentage = 80.1
change = -2.9Election box gain with party link
winner = Liberal Party (UK)
loser = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = George Nathaniel Curzon
votes = 5,162
percentage = 54.0
change = +0.6Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = Sir Herbert Naylor-Leyland
votes = 4,399
percentage = 46.0
change = -0.6Election box majority
votes = 763
percentage = 8.0
change = +1.2Election box turnout
votes = 9,561
percentage = 83.0
change = -1.6Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = George Nathaniel Curzon
votes = 4,752
percentage = 53.4
change = +0.1Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = G H Pollard
votes = 4,148
percentage = 46.6
change = -0.1Election box majority
votes = 604
percentage = 6.8
change = +0.2Election box turnout
votes = 8,900
percentage = 84.6
change = +1.8Election box hold with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
swing =

Elections in the 1880s

Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = George Nathaniel Curzon
votes = 3,723
percentage = 53.3
change = +4.4Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = George Augustus Pilkington
votes = 3,262
percentage = 46.7
change = -4.4Election box majority
votes = 461
percentage = 6.6
change = Election box turnout
votes = 6,985
percentage = 82.8
change = -4.0Election box gain with party link
winner = Conservative Party (UK)
loser = Liberal Party (UK)
swing =

Election box candidate with party link
party = Liberal Party (UK)
candidate = George Augustus Pilkington
votes = 3,741
percentage = 51.1
change = Election box candidate with party link
party = Conservative Party (UK)
candidate = J E Edwards-Moss
votes = 3,581
percentage = 48.9
change = Election box majority
votes = 160
percentage = 2.2
change = Election box turnout
votes = 7,322
percentage = 86.8
change =

See also

* List of Parliamentary constituencies on Merseyside

References

* [http://www.angeltowns.com/town/peerage/scommons4.htm Historical list of MPs]
* [http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/edates.htm Election results, 1950 - 2005]
*F. W. S. Craig, "British Parliamentary Election Results 1885 - 1918"
*F. W. S. Craig, "British Parliamentary Election Results 1918 - 1949"