Hastings and Rye is a constituency[n 1] in East Sussex represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Helena Dollimore of the Labour and Co-operative Party. From 2010 until 2019, it was represented by Amber Rudd, who served as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Minister for Women and Equalities, Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under the governments of David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
Hastings and Rye | |
---|---|
County constituency for the House of Commons | |
County | East Sussex |
Electorate | 75,581 (2023)[1] |
Major settlements | |
Current constituency | |
Created | 1983 |
Member of Parliament | Helena Dollimore (Labour Co-op) |
Seats | One |
Created from |
Since 2001 (inclusive) election campaigns have resulted in a minimum of 35.1% of votes at each election consistently for the same two parties' choice for candidate, the next-placed party's having fluctuated between 3.3% and 15.7% of the vote—such third-placed figures attained higher percentages in 1992 and 1997.
The result in 2017 was the 24th-closest nationally (of 650 seats), whereby 174 voters would have been capable of changing the outcome by their choice of candidate, the margin of votes being 346.[2]
Boundaries
edit- 1983–2010: The Borough of Hastings, the District of Rother wards of Camber, Fairlight, Guestling and Pett, Rye, Winchelsea
- 2010–2024: The Borough of Hastings, the District of Rother wards of Brede Valley, Eastern Rother, Marsham, Rye
- 2024–present: The Borough of Hastings, the District of Rother wards of: Eastern Rother; Rye & Winchelsea; Southern Rother.[3]
Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, changes from the 2024 general election described as following:
Minor changes to bring the electorate within the permitted range and align to new ward boundaries in the District of Rother.
Constituency profile
editAs its name suggests, the main settlements in the constituency are the seaside resort of Hastings and smaller nearby tourist town of Rye. The constituency also includes the Cinque Port of Winchelsea and the villages of Fairlight, Winchelsea Beach, Three Oaks, Guestling, Icklesham, Playden, Iden, Rye Harbour, East Guldeford, Camber, and Pett.
The constituency is set in a relatively isolated part of the southeast from the railways perspective and so does not enjoy some of the more general affluence of this part of the country. In the 2000 index of multiple deprivation a majority of wards fell within the bottom half of rankings so it can arguably be considered a deprived area.[4] Hastings has some light industry, while Rye has a small port, which includes hire and repair activities for leisure vessels and fishing. Hastings is mostly Labour-voting, whereas Rye and the rest of the areas from Rother council are Conservative.
Property prices in the villages are however rising and are in affluent areas, unlike residential estates in the towns. Three Oaks does enjoy a nearby train station for its residents, which has services allowing connecting services to London.
History
editThe constituency was created in 1983 by combining most of Hastings with a small part of Rye. The Conservative MP for Hastings since 1970, Kenneth Warren, won the new seat.[n 2]. Warren held Hastings and Rye until he chose to retire in 1992; during this period its large majorities suggested it was a Conservative safe seat, with the Liberal Party (now the Liberal Democrats) regularly coming second. Jacqui Lait won the seat on Warren's retirement, but in 1997 the Labour candidate Michael Foster narrowly defeated Lait, becoming the second-least expected (on swing) Labour MP in the landslide of that year[citation needed] and since 2001 setting a pattern that suggests the seat is a two-way Labour-Conservative marginal. Foster held the seat, again with slim majorities over Conservatives, in 2001 and 2005, but lost it to Conservative Amber Rudd in 2010. Rudd was re-elected with an increased majority in 2015.
In the 2017 general election, the Green Party declined to contest the seat and instead called on its supporters to back the Labour candidate.[5] Rudd held the seat with a slim majority of 346.
Members of Parliament
editHastings prior to 1983
Election | Member[6] | Party | |
---|---|---|---|
1983 | Kenneth Warren | Conservative | |
1992 | Jacqui Lait | Conservative | |
1997 | Michael Foster | Labour | |
2010 | Amber Rudd | Conservative | |
September 2019 | Independent | ||
2019 | Sally-Ann Hart | Conservative | |
2024 | Helena Dollimore | Labour Co-op |
Elections
editElections in the 2020s
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour Co-op | Helena Dollimore[7][8] | 19,134 | 41.6 | −0.8 | |
Conservative | Sally-Ann Hart[9] | 10,481 | 22.8 | −26.3 | |
Reform UK | Lucian Fernando[10] | 7,401 | 16.1 | N/A | |
Green | Becca Horn[11] | 5,761 | 12.5 | +12.4 | |
Liberal Democrats | Guy Harris[12] | 2,586 | 5.6 | −1.8 | |
Workers Party | Philip Colley[13] | 362 | 0.8 | N/A | |
Communist | Nicholas Davies[14] | 136 | 0.3 | N/A | |
Independent | Paul Crosland[15] | 129 | 0.3 | −0.8 | |
Majority | 8,653 | 18.8 | N/A | ||
Turnout | 45,990 | 60.6 | −8.9 | ||
Registered electors | 75,939 | ||||
Labour Co-op gain from Conservative | Swing | 12.8 |
Elections in the 2010s
edit2019 notional result[16] | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | Vote | % | |
Conservative | 25,804 | 49.1 | |
Labour | 22,272 | 42.4 | |
Liberal Democrats | 3,892 | 7.4 | |
Others | 565 | 1.1 | |
Green | 33 | 0.1 | |
Turnout | 52,566 | 69.5 | |
Electorate | 75,581 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Sally-Ann Hart | 26,896 | 49.6 | +2.7 | |
Labour | Peter Chowney | 22,853 | 42.1 | −4.1 | |
Liberal Democrats | Nick Perry | 3,960 | 7.3 | +3.9 | |
Independent | Paul Crosland | 565 | 1.0 | N/A | |
Majority | 4,043 | 7.5 | +6.8 | ||
Turnout | 54,274 | 67.4 | −4.2 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing | +3.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Amber Rudd | 25,668 | 46.9 | +2.4 | |
Labour | Peter Chowney | 25,322 | 46.2 | +11.1 | |
Liberal Democrats | Nick Perry | 1,885 | 3.4 | +0.2 | |
UKIP | Michael Phillips | 1,479 | 2.7 | −10.6 | |
Independent | Nicholas Wilson | 412 | 0.8 | N/A | |
Majority | 346 | 0.7 | −8.7 | ||
Turnout | 54,766 | 71.6 | +3.6 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing | -4.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Amber Rudd | 22,686 | 44.5 | +3.4 | |
Labour | Sarah Owen | 17,890 | 35.1 | −2.0 | |
UKIP | Andrew Michael | 6,786 | 13.3 | +10.5 | |
Green | Jake Bowers | 1,951 | 3.8 | +3.8 | |
Liberal Democrats | Nick Perry | 1,614 | 3.2 | −12.5 | |
Majority | 4,796 | 9.4 | +5.4 | ||
Turnout | 50,927 | 68.0 | +4.1 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing | +2.7 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Amber Rudd | 20,468 | 41.1 | +3.0 | |
Labour | Michael Foster | 18,475 | 37.1 | −3.5 | |
Liberal Democrats | Nick Perry | 7,825 | 15.7 | +0.6 | |
UKIP | Anthony Smith | 1,397 | 2.8 | +0.1 | |
BNP | Nick Prince | 1,310 | 2.6 | +2.6 | |
English Democrat | Rod Bridger | 339 | 0.7 | +0.7 | |
Majority | 1,993 | 4.0 | N/A | ||
Turnout | 49,814 | 63.9 | +4.9 | ||
Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +3.3 |
Elections in the 2000s
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour | Michael Foster | 18,107 | 42.1 | −5.0 | |
Conservative | Mark Coote | 16,081 | 37.4 | +0.8 | |
Liberal Democrats | Richard Stevens | 6,479 | 15.1 | +4.8 | |
UKIP | Terry Grant | 1,098 | 2.6 | +0.4 | |
Green | Sally Phillips | 1,032 | 2.4 | +0.7 | |
Monster Raving Loony | Viscount Clarkey of Rochdale Canal Ord-Clarke | 207 | 0.5 | 0.0 | |
Majority | 2,026 | 4.7 | −5.8 | ||
Turnout | 43,004 | 59.1 | +0.7 | ||
Labour hold | Swing | -2.9 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour | Michael Foster | 19,402 | 47.1 | +12.7 | |
Conservative | Mark Coote | 15,094 | 36.6 | +7.4 | |
Liberal Democrats | Graem Peters | 4,266 | 10.3 | −17.7 | |
UKIP | Alan Coomber | 911 | 2.2 | +1.2 | |
Green | Sally Phillips | 721 | 1.7 | N/A | |
Independent | Gillian Bargery | 486 | 1.2 | N/A | |
Monster Raving Loony | John Ord-Clarke | 198 | 0.5 | +0.2 | |
Rock 'n' Roll Loony | Brett McLean | 140 | 0.3 | N/A | |
Majority | 4,308 | 10.5 | +5.3 | ||
Turnout | 41,218 | 58.4 | −11.3 | ||
Labour hold | Swing | +2.6 |
Elections in the 1990s
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Labour | Michael Foster | 16,867 | 34.4 | +18.7 | |
Conservative | Jacqui Lait | 14,307 | 29.2 | −18.4 | |
Liberal Democrats | Monroe Palmer | 13,717 | 28.0 | −7.2 | |
Referendum | Christopher J.M. McGovern | 2,511 | 5.1 | N/A | |
Liberal | Jane M.E. Amstad | 1,046 | 2.1 | N/A | |
UKIP | W.N. Andrews | 472 | 1.0 | N/A | |
Monster Raving Loony | Derek Tiverton | 149 | 0.3 | 0.0 | |
Majority | 2,560 | 5.2 | N/A | ||
Turnout | 49,069 | 69.7 | −5.2 | ||
Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +18.5 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Jacqui Lait | 25,573 | 47.6 | −2.5 | |
Liberal Democrats | Monroe Palmer | 18,939 | 35.2 | −0.8 | |
Labour | Richard D. Stevens | 8,458 | 15.7 | +2.6 | |
Green | Sally Philips | 640 | 1.2 | N/A | |
Monster Raving Loony | Lord of Howell Derek Tiverton | 168 | 0.3 | −0.1 | |
Majority | 6,634 | 12.4 | −1.7 | ||
Turnout | 53,778 | 74.9 | +3.1 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing | −0.9 |
Elections in the 1980s
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Kenneth Warren | 26,163 | 50.1 | −3.2 | |
Liberal | David Amies | 18,816 | 36.0 | +5.5 | |
Labour | Joy Hurcombe | 6,825 | 13.1 | −2.1 | |
Monster Raving Loony | Lord of Howell Derek Tiverton | 242 | 0.4 | N/A | |
Independent | Stanley Davies | 194 | 0.4 | N/A | |
Majority | 7,347 | 14.1 | −12.7 | ||
Turnout | 52,240 | 71.8 | +2.9 | ||
Conservative hold | Swing | −4.4 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conservative | Kenneth Warren | 25,626 | 53.3 | N/A | |
Liberal | David Amies | 14,646 | 30.5 | N/A | |
Labour | Nigel Knowles | 7,304 | 15.2 | N/A | |
Independent | G.L. McNally | 503 | 1.0 | N/A | |
Majority | 10,980 | 22.8 | N/A | ||
Turnout | 48,079 | 68.9 | N/A | ||
Conservative win (new seat) |
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
- ^ The Conservative MP for the abolished seat of Rye (since 1955) Bryant Godman Irvine retired
References
edit- ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – South East". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "GE2017: Marginal seats and turnout". House of Commons Library. UK Parliament. 23 June 2017.
- ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
- ^ "Local statistics". Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 11 February 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
- ^ Khan, Shebab (2 July 2017). "Election 2017: Labour say they have 'every chance of winning' Home Secretary Amber Rudd's seat". The Independent. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022.
- ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "H" (part 2)
- ^ "Hastings parliamentary candidate fires off letter to Southern Water on the day of the flooding". Sussex World. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "2024 General Election candidates". Co-operative Party. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
- ^ "Hastings MP re-selected as Tory candidate just weeks after she was deselected". Sussex World. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Hastings and Rye Constituency". Reform UK. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "Becca Horn selected as Greens' parliamentary candidate". Hastings Online Times. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
- ^ "The Guy for Hastings and Rye". Rye News. 7 March 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ "General election 2024". Retrieved 3 June 2024.
- ^ "Communists Party announces first Candidates for 4 July General Election".
- ^ "Hastings and Rye". BBC News. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
- ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
- ^ Jane Hartnell - Acting Returning Officer (14 November 2019). "Election of a Member of Parliament - Hastings and Rye Constituency" (PDF). Hastings Borough Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2019.
- ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "08 May 2015 Parliamentary Election – Results". Hastings Borough Council. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
- ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
- ^ "06 May 2010 Parliamentary Election - Results". Hastings District Council. 16 June 2010. Archived from the original on 10 June 2011.
- ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
- ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
- ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
Sources
edit- Election 2005 Result: Hastings & Rye BBC News, 23 May 2005
- Vote 2001 - Hastings & Rye BBC News, 8 June 2001
- Election results, 1997 – 2001 Archived 2020-01-21 at the Wayback Machine Election Demon
- Election results, 1983 – 1992 Archived 2000-08-19 at the Wayback Machine Election Demon
External links
edit- Hastings and Rye UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
- Hastings and Rye UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
- Hastings and Rye UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK