Medway (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Medway
Former County constituency
for the House of Commons
MedwayConstituency.svg
Boundary of Medway in Kentfor the 2005 general election
EnglandKent.svg
Location of Kent within England
County Kent
Major settlements Rochester, Strood
1983–2010
SeatsOne
Created from Rochester & Chatham and Gravesend [1]
Replaced by Rochester and Strood, Chatham and Aylesford [2]
1885–1918
SeatsOne
Created from West Kent
Replaced by Gravesend, Sevenoaks, Maidstone and Chatham

Medway was a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom between 1983 and 2010. A previous constituency of the same name existed from 1885 to 1918.

Contents

Boundaries

1885–1918

The Mid or Medway Division of Kent was created by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. It comprised a rural area consisting of the petty sessional divisions of Bearstead, Rochester and part of Malling PSD, but did not include the Medway Towns which were comprised in the parliamentary boroughs of Chatham and Rochester. It also surrounded, but did not include the town of Maidstone. [3] It comprised these parishes: [4]

The Rochester seat is an old one, going back to the 16th century, but it saw many changes in the 20th century. In 1918 it was split between Chatham and Gillingham. The Chatham seat became Rochester and Chatham in 1950, and then Medway in 1983.

1983–2010

The constituency was revived in 1983 by Parliament's acceptance of a Boundary Commission national review, [5] and was defined as comprising thirteen wards of the then City of Rochester upon Medway: All Saints, Cuxton and Halling, Earl, Frindsbury, Frindsbury Extra, Hoo St. Werburgh, Rede Court, St. Margarets and Borstal, Temple Farm, Thames Side, Town, Troy Town and Warren Wood. [5]

Boundaries were not changed at the next redistribution that followed the Fourth Review for the 1997 election. [6]

Conveniently but somewhat confusingly 1998 Rochester upon Medway merged with the neighbouring Borough of Gillingham to form the larger unitary Borough of Medway. [7] The Medway constituency covered only part of the unitary authority: some towns in the borough of Medway, such as Gillingham (Gillingham) or Chatham see (Chatham and Aylesford) had and retain their own constituency. Because of this, the name of the seat caused much confusion leading to its renaming in 2010.

Boundary review

Following the boundary review of parliamentary representation in Kent between 2000 and 2008, the Boundary Commission for England renamed the Medway seat to Rochester and Strood. This is because the Commission agreed that the term "Medway" is now primarily used for the larger unitary authority. [8]

The constituency consists of ten wards of the Borough of Medway: Cuxton and Halling, Peninsula, River, Rochester East, Rochester South and Horsted, Rochester West, Strood North, Strood Rural and Strood South. [9]

Members of Parliament

MPs 1885–1918

ElectionMember [10] Party
1885 John Gathorne-Hardy Conservative
1892 Charles Warde Conservative

MPs 1983–2010

ElectionMember [10] Party
1983 Dame Peggy Fenner Conservative
1997 Bob Marshall-Andrews Labour
2010 Constituency abolished: see Rochester and Strood

Election results 1885-1918

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1885: Medway [11] [12] [13]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Gathorne-Hardy 6,212 54.8
Liberal Sydney Waterlow 5,11845.2
Majority1,0949.6
Turnout 11,33084.0
Registered electors 13,482
Conservative win (new seat)
General election 1886: Medway [11] [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Gathorne-Hardy Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1890s

Steadman William Charles Steadman MP.jpg
Steadman
General election 1892: Medway [11] [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Warde 6,337 59.1 N/A
Lib-Lab W. C. Steadman 4,39140.9New
Majority1,94618.2N/A
Turnout 10,72874.1N/A
Registered electors 14,484
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Warde Charles Warde.jpg
Warde
General election 1895: Medway [11] [12] [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Warde Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Medway [11] [12] [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Warde Unopposed
Conservative hold
Williams 1910 Aneurin Williams.jpg
Williams
General election 1906: Medway [11] [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Warde 6,167 50.4 N/A
Liberal Aneurin Williams 6,06149.6New
Majority1060.8N/A
Turnout 12,22883.6N/A
Registered electors 14,628
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Medway [11] [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Warde 8,093 60.5 +10.1
Liberal Alexander Cairns5,28539.5-10.1
Majority2,80821.0+20.2
Turnout 13,37888.1+4.5
Conservative hold Swing +10.1
General election December 1910: Medway [11] [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Charles Warde Unopposed
Conservative hold

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;

Elections 1983-2005

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Medway [16] [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Bob Marshall-Andrews 17,333 42.2 −6.8
Conservative Mark Reckless 17,12041.7+2.5
Liberal Democrats Geoffrey Juby5,15212.5+3.2
UKIP Bob Oakley1,4883.6+1.1
Majority2130.5-9.3
Turnout 41,09361.1+1.6
Labour hold Swing −4.6
General election 2001: Medway [18] [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Bob Marshall-Andrews 18,914 49.0 +0.1
Conservative Mark Reckless 15,13439.2+2.3
Liberal Democrats Geoffrey Juby3,6049.3−0.9
UKIP Nikki Sinclaire 9582.5+1.6
Majority3,7809.8-2.2
Turnout 38,61059.5−12.8
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Medway [20] [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Bob Marshall-Andrews 21,858 48.9 +14.3
Conservative Peggy Fenner 16,50436.9−15.4
Liberal Democrats Roger D.C. Roberts4,55510.2+0.6
Referendum Joseph Main1,4203.2New
UKIP Susan P. Radlett4050.9New
Majority5,35412.0N/A
Turnout 44,74272.3-7.9
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +14.9
General election 1992: Medway [21] [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Peggy Fenner 25,924 52.3 +1.3
Labour Bob Marshall-Andrews 17,13834.6+4.8
Liberal Democrats Cyril L. Trice4,7519.6−8.5
Liberal Mark Austin1,4803.0New
Natural Law Paul A. Kember2340.5New
Majority8,78617.7−3.5
Turnout 49,52780.2+7.2
Conservative hold Swing −1.7

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Medway [23] [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Peggy Fenner 23,889 51.0 +2.1
Labour Vernon Hull13,96029.8−0.3
SDP Jennifer Horne-Roberts8,45018.1−2.0
Green June Rosser5041.1New
Majority9,92921.2+2.4
Turnout 46,80373.0+0.4
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1983: Medway [25] [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Peggy Fenner 22,507 48.9
Labour Robert Bean 13,85130.1
SDP Frederick Charles Winckless9,65820.1
Majority8,65618.8
Turnout 46,01672.6
Conservative win (new seat)

See also

Notes and references

  1. ↑ "'Medway', June 1983 up to May 1997". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2016.
  2. ↑ Waller, Robert; Criddle, Byron (2007). The Almanac of British Politics (8th ed.). UK: Routledge. pp. 283, 659. ISBN   978-0-415-37823-9.
  3. ↑ "Boundary Commissioners' Map of Divisions of Kent". London Ancrestor. 1885. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  4. ↑ Youngs, Frederic A Jr. (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol.I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. p. 739. ISBN   0-901050-67-9.
  5. 1 2 Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983 (S.I. 1983/417)
  6. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/1626)". Office of Public Sector Information. 1995. Retrieved 12 April 2009.
  7. ↑ "The Kent (Borough of Gillingham and City of Rochester upon Medway) (Structural Change) Order 1996". Office of Public Sector Information. 1996. Retrieved 12 January 2009.
  8. ↑ Fifth Periodical Report, Volume I: Report, Cm 7032-i (PDF). London: The Stationery Office. 2007. p. 347. ISBN   978-0-10-170322-2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  9. ↑ Fifth Periodical Report, Volume 2: Appendices, Cm 7032-ii (PDF). London: The Stationery Office. 2007. p. 92. ISBN   978-0-10-170322-2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  10. 1 2 Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "M" (part 2)
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918, FWS Craig
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  13. ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
  14. 1 2 Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
  15. 1 2 Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
  16. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "UK General Election results May 2005". Political Science Resources. University of Keele. 11 March 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  18. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. 1 2 "Medway". Political Science Resources. University of Keele. 3 November 2008. Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  20. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  23. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "UK General Election results June 1987". Political Science Resources. University of Keele . Retrieved 13 April 2009.
  25. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "UK General Election results June 1983". Political Science Resources. University of Keele . Retrieved 13 April 2009.

51°26′N0°30′E / 51.433°N 0.500°E / 51.433; 0.500

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medway</span> Unitary authority area in Kent, England

Medway is a unitary authority and conurbation in Kent, South East England. It had a population of 278,016 in 2019. The unitary authority was formed in 1998 when Rochester-upon-Medway amalgamated with the Borough of Gillingham to form Medway Towns. It is a unitary authority area run by Medway Council, independent of Kent County Council but remains part of the ceremonial county of Kent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Strood</span> Town in Medway in South East England

Strood is a town in the unitary authority of Medway in Kent, South East England. The town forms a conurbation with neighbouring towns Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham and Rainham. It lies on the northwest bank of the River Medway at its lowest bridging point.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wentworth (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983–2010

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medway Valley line</span> Railway line in Kent

The Medway Valley line is the name given to the railway line linking Strood in the Medway Towns via Maidstone West to Tonbridge. High Speed services also link between Maidstone West, Snodland, Strood and London St Pancras International. The section from Maidstone West to Paddock Wood passes through some of Kent's most picturesque countryside along the narrower sections of the River Medway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonbridge and Malling (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom

Tonbridge and Malling is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Tom Tugendhat, a Conservative. The constituency is located in Western Kent, in South East England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maidstone and The Weald (UK Parliament constituency)</span> UK Parliamentary constituency since 1997

Maidstone and The Weald is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Helen Grant of the Conservative Party. She succeeded fellow party member Ann Widdecombe, who had held the seat since it was created for the 1997 general election.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chatham and Aylesford (UK Parliament constituency)</span> UK Parliament constituency since 1997

Chatham and Aylesford is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Tracey Crouch, a Conservative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gillingham (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1918–2010

Gillingham was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

Strood Rural District was a rural district in the county of Kent, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester and Strood (UK Parliament constituency)</span> Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 2010 onwards

Rochester and Strood is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Kelly Tolhurst, a Conservative. Since 2022, she has served as Government Deputy Chief Whip and Treasurer of the Household.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">City of Rochester-upon-Medway</span> Former city in Kent, England

Rochester-upon-Medway was a local government district in north Kent, England from 1974 to 1998. It covered Rochester, Chatham, Luton, Lordswood, Walderslade, Strood and the Hoo Peninsula.

Chatham was a parliamentary constituency in Kent which returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was created for the 1832 general election, when the borough of Chatham was enfranchised under the Reform Act 1832.

Rochester was a parliamentary constituency in Kent. It returned two members of parliament (MPs) to the House of Commons of England from 1295 to 1707, then to the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1708 to 1800, and finally to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 until the 1885 general election, when its representation was reduced to one seat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid Kent (UK Parliament constituency)</span> UK parliamentary constituency in Kent (1983-1997)

Mid Kent was a county constituency in the county of Kent, which returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frindsbury</span> Village in Kent, England

Frindsbury is part of the Medway Towns conurbation in Kent, southern England. It lies on the opposite side of the River Medway to Rochester, and at various times in its history has been considered fully or partially part of the City of Rochester. Frindsbury today is part of the town of Strood and covers the most northern part of the town. Frindsbury refers to both a parish and a manor. Within the civil parish of Frindsbury Extra are the villages of Frindsbury, Wainscott, and Upnor. Frindsbury was also the name given to an electoral ward in the City of Rochester that straddled the parishes of Frindsbury and Strood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frindsbury Extra</span> Human settlement in England

Frindsbury Extra is a civil parish divided into commercial, suburban residential and rural parts on the Hoo Peninsula in Medway, a ceremonial part of Kent. It is contiguous with the fully urbanised Frindsbury part of Strood and is bounded by Cliffe and Cliffe Woods to the north, Hoo to the east, and the River Medway to the south-east at Upnor and a long, narrow meander of the river in the far south. On Medway Council it has councillors representing the Strood Rural ward currently on almost identical boundaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Medway Council</span> Local authority of Medway in Kent, England

Medway Council is the local authority of Medway in Kent, England. It is a unitary authority, having the powers of a non-metropolitan county and district council combined.

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.