Colchester (UK Parliament constituency)

Colchester is a constituency[n 1] in Essex represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Will Quince, a Conservative.[n 2] In June 2023 Quince announced that he would not be standing for re-election.[2]

This article is about the electoral district in the United Kingdom. For the electoral district of the same name in Canada, see Colchester (provincial electoral district).

Colchester
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Colchester in Essex
Outline map
Location of Essex within England
CountyEssex
Electorate73,638 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsColchester, The Hythe
Current constituency
Created1997
Member of ParliamentWill Quince (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromColchester North, South Colchester and Maldon
1918–1983
SeatsOne
Type of constituencyCounty constituency
Created fromColchester (Parliamentary Borough), Harwich (part)
Replaced byColchester North and Colchester South & Maldon
1295–1918
SeatsTwo to 1885, one from 1885 to 1918
Type of constituencyBorough constituency
Replaced byColchester (county constituency)

Constituency profile

Once the basis for one or two semi-rural seats, the modern-day Colchester constituency is a compact, urban core, containing the town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.

The present Colchester constituency most closely resembles the old seat of Colchester North, which was held by the Conservative Bernard Jenkin from 1992 to 1997.

The seat has one of Britain's largest residential military populations.

History

The Parliamentary Borough of Colchester had sent two members to the Parliament of England since the Model Parliament of 1295[3] until 1707, then to the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and to the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801. In 1885, it was one of 36 English boroughs and three Irish boroughs to have its representation reduced to one under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.[4] Under the Representation of the People Act 1918, the Parliamentary Borough was abolished and replaced with a Division of the County of Essex (later a County Constituency).[5]

The revised constituency remained virtually unchanged until it was briefly abolished for the 1983 general election following the Third Periodic Review of Westminster Constituencies, but re-established for the 1997 general election as a Borough Constituency by the Fourth Review.

The non-military vote in Colchester swung further in favour of the Liberal Democrats since 1997 when Bob Russell stood. He was elected for the party with a small majority. Russell increased his votes and percentage share in three elections. In the 2010 election this was the only non-Conservative seat in Essex. Russell was defeated in the 2015 general election by Conservative Will Quince, by an 11.5% majority. In the 2017 election Quince was re-elected by a slightly decreased margin by percentage (10.6%), with Labour moving into 2nd place after a substantial increase in their vote, meaning this seat is now much more a contest between Labour and the Conservatives for the first time in many years. In the 2019 election, Quince increased his majority to 9,423 or 17.6% in percentage terms.

Boundaries and boundary changes
Colchester in Essex 1918-1983

1918–1950
  • The Borough of Colchester; and
  • The Rural District of Lexden and Winstree except the detached part of the parish of Inworth which was wholly surrounded by the parishes of Great Braxted and Kelvedon.[5]

The area comprising the Rural District of Lexden and Winstree had largely been part of the Harwich Division.

1950–1983
  • The Borough of Colchester;
  • The Urban District of West Mersea; and
  • The Rural District of Lexden and Winstree.[6]

No changes (the Urban District of West Mersea had been formed as a separate local authority in 1926).

For the 1983 general election, the constituency was abolished, with the northern parts (comprising the majority) forming the bulk of the new constituency of North Colchester. Southern areas were included in the new constituency of South Colchester and Maldon.

1997–2010
  • The Borough of Colchester wards of Berechurch, Castle, Harbour, Lexden, Mile End, New Town, Prettygate, St Andrew's, St Anne's, St John's, St Mary's, Shrub End, and Stanway.[7]

Re-established as a Borough Constituency from parts of the abolished constituencies of South Colchester and Maldon (Berechurch, Harbour, New Town, Prettygate and Shrub End wards) and North Colchester (remaining wards).

2010–present
  • The Borough of Colchester wards of Berechurch, Castle, Christ Church, Harbour, Highwoods, Lexden, Mile End, New Town, Prettygate, St Andrew's, St Anne's, St John's, and Shrub End.[8]

Local authority wards redistributed. Minor reduction in electorate, with Stanway ward being included in the new constituency of Witham.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1295–1640
ParliamentFirst memberSecond member
1312Joseph Elianore
1386Thomas FrancisRalph Algar[9]
1388 (Feb)Thomas FrancisSimon Fordham[9]
1388 (Sep)Ralph AlgarSimon Fordham[9]
1390 (Jan)Thomas FrancisSimon Fordham[9]
1390 (Nov)
1391Thomas FrancisJohn Christian[9]
1393William MateJohn Christian[9]
1394
1395Thomas FrancisJohn Christian[9]
1397 (Jan)Henry BossJohn Seaburgh[9]
1397 (Sep)
1399Thomas FrancisThomas Godstone[9]
1401
1402Henry BossThomas Godstone[9]
1404 (Jan)
1404 (Oct)
1406Henry BossWilliam Mate[9]
1407Thomas GodstoneWilliam Mate[9]
1410
1411Thomas GodstoneJohn Pod[9]
1413 (Feb)
1413 (May)Thomas GodstoneThomas Francis[9]
1414 (Apr)
1414 (Nov)Thomas GodstoneSimon Mate[9]
1415
1416 (Mar)John FordJohn Sumpter[9]
1416 (Oct)
1417Thomas GodstoneJohn Ford[9]
1419Thomas GodstoneJohn Sumpter[9]
1420Thomas GodstoneJohn Kimberley[9]
1421 (May)Thomas GodstoneJohn Kimberley[9]
1421 (Dec)Thomas GodstoneWilliam Nottingham[9]
1485Thomas ChristmasJohn Vertue[10]
1510No names known[11]
1512 ?John Clere ?John Makin[11]
1515 ?John Clere ?John Makin[11]
1523Thomas AudleyAmbrose Lowth[11]
1529Sir John RaynsfordRichard Rich[11]
1536 ?
1539 ?
1542 ?
1545John LucasBenjamin Clere[11]
1547John RytherJohn Lucas[11]
1553 (Mar)Sir Francis Jobson ?John Lucas[11]
1553 (Oct)John LucasJohn Best[11]
1554 (Apr)Sir Francis JobsonWilliam Cardinall[11]
1554 (Nov)George SayerRobert Browne[11]
1555Sir Francis JobsonJohn Hering[11]
1558George ChristmasThomas Lucas[11]
1559Sir Francis JobsonWilliam Cardinall[12]
1562/3Sir Francis JobsonWilliam Cardinall[12]
1571Henry GoldingFrancis Harvey[12]
1572Robert ChristmasHenry Golding, died
and repl, 1576 by Nicholas Clere, who alao died
and was repl. 1579 by Robert Middleton[12]
1584James MoriceFrancis Harvey[12]
1586James MoriceFrancis Harvey[12]
1588James MoriceArthur Throckmorton[12]
1593James MoriceMartin Bessell[12]
1597Richard SymnellRobert Barker[12]
1601Robert BarkerRichard Symnell[12]
1604–1611Robert BarkerEdward Alford
1614Robert BarkerEdward Alford
1621–1622Edward AlfordWilliam Towse
1624Edward AlfordWilliam Towse
1625Sir Robert QuarlesWilliam Towse
1626Edward AlfordWilliam Towse
1628Sir Thomas CheekEdward Alford
repl. on petition by Sir William Masham, 1st Baronet
1639–1640No Parliaments summoned

MPs 1640–1885
YearFirst member[13]First partySecond member[13]Second party
April 1640 (Sir) Harbottle Grimston[mpnotes 1]Parliamentarian Sir William Masham, 1st Baronet
November 1640 Sir Thomas BarringtonParliamentarian
September 1644 Barrington died September 1644 - seat vacant
1645 John Sayer
December 1648 Grimston excluded in Pride's Purge - seat vacant Sayer not recorded as sitting after Pride's Purge
1653 Colchester was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament
1654 Colonel John Barkstead John Maidstone
1656 Henry Lawrence
January 1659 Abraham Johnson John Shaw
May 1659 Not represented in the restored Rump
April 1660 Sir Harbottle Grimston John Shaw
1679 Sir Walter Clarges, Bt
1681 Samuel Reynolds
1685 Sir Walter Clarges Nathaniel Lawrence
1689 Samuel Reynolds Isaac Rebow
1690 Edward Cary
1692 Sir Isaac Rebow
1694 Sir Thomas Cooke
1695 Sir John Morden, Bt
1698 Sir Thomas Cooke
May 1705 Edward Bullock
December 1705 Sir Thomas Webster, Bt[mpnotes 2]
1711 William Gore
1713 Sir Thomas Webster, Bt
1714[mpnotes 3] William Gore Nicholas Corsellis
1715 Richard Du Cane Whig Sir Isaac Rebow Whig
1722 Sir Thomas Webster Whig Matthew Martin Whig
1727 Stamp Brooksbank Whig Samuel Tufnell Whig
1734 Isaac Lemyng Rebow Whig Matthew Martin Whig
1735 Jacob Houblon Tory
1741 John Olmius Whig
1742[mpnotes 4] Samuel Savill Charles Gray[mpnotes 5] Tory
1747 Richard Savage Nassau
1754 John Olmius Whig
1755 Isaac Martin Rebow Whig
1761 Charles Gray Tory
1780 Sir Robert Smyth, Bt Radical Whig
1781 Christopher Potter[mpnotes 6]
1782[mpnotes 6] Sir Edmund Affleck, Bt[mpnotes 7]
April 1784 Christopher Potter[mpnotes 8]
July 1784 Sir Robert Smyth, Bt Radical
1788 George Tierney Radical
1790 Robert Thornton Tory[14] George Jackson Tory
1796 The Lord Muncaster Tory
1802 John Denison Tory
1806 William Tufnell Whig
1807 Richard Hart Davis Tory[14]
1812 Hart Davis Tory
1817 Sir William Burroughs, Bt Tory
February 1818 James Beckford Wildman Tory[14]
June 1818 Daniel Whittle Harvey[mpnotes 9] Radical[14]
1820 Henry Baring Tory
1826 Daniel Whittle Harvey Radical[14] Sir George Smyth, Bt Tory[14]
1829 Richard Sanderson Tory[14]
1830 Andrew Spottiswoode[mpnotes 10] Tory[14]
1831 William Mayhew Whig[14]
1832 Richard Sanderson Tory[14]
1834 Conservative[14]
1835 Sir George Smyth, Bt Conservative[14]
1847 Joseph Hardcastle Whig[15][16][17]
1850 Lord John Manners Conservative
1852 William Warwick Hawkins Conservative
February 1857 John Gurdon Rebow Radical[18][19][20]
March 1857 Taverner John Miller Conservative
1859 Philip Oxenden Papillon Conservative
1865 John Gurdon Rebow Liberal
1867 Edward Karslake Conservative
1868 William Brewer Liberal
1870 Alexander Learmonth Conservative
1874 Herbert Mackworth-Praed Conservative
1880 Richard Causton Liberal William Willis Liberal
1885 Representation reduced to one member

Notes
  1. Succeeded to a baronetcy, April 1648
  2. Webster and Rebow were re-elected in 1714, but on petition the result was reversed and Gore declared to have been duly elected instead, following a dispute over whether foreigners could be made freemen of the borough and thereby acquire voting rights
  3. Webster was re-elected in 1710, but on petition the result was reversed and Gore and Corsellis declared to have been duly elected instead, following a further dispute over foreign freemen's voting rights
  4. At the election of 1741, Olmius and Martin were returned as elected, but on petition their election was declared void and their opponents, Savill and Gray, declared elected in their place
  5. At the election of 1754, Gray was re- elected, but on petition his election was declared void and his opponent, Rebow, declared elected in his place
  6. On petition, Potter's election was declared void on the grounds of defective qualification and his opponent, Affleck, declared duly elected
  7. Admiral from 1784
  8. On petition, Potter was declared ineligible on the grounds of bankruptcy, and a writ for a new election was issued
  9. Harvey was re-elected in 1820 but on petition his election was declared void on the grounds of defective qualification and a by-election was held
  10. On petition, Spottiswoode's election was declared void and a by-election was held

MPs 1885–1983
See also: List of MPs of Colchester, 1885–1983
ElectionMember[13]Party
1885 Henry John Trotter Conservative
1888 by-election Lord Brooke Conservative
1892 Herbert Naylor-Leyland Conservative
1895 by-election Weetman Pearson Liberal
1910 Laming Worthington-Evans Conservative
1929 Oswald Lewis Conservative
1945 George Smith Labour
1950 Cuthbert Alport Conservative
1961 by-election Antony Buck Conservative
1983 Constituency abolished

MPs since 1997
ElectionMember[13]Party
1997 Bob Russell Liberal Democrat
2015 Will Quince Conservative

Elections
Graph of election results in Colchester since 1997 (minor parties that never got 2% of the vote or didn't run consistently are omitted)

Elections in the 2010s
General election 2019: Colchester[21][22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Will Quince 26,917 50.4 +4.5
Labour Tina McKay 17,494 32.8 −2.5
Liberal Democrats Martin Goss 7,432 13.9 −3.1
Green Mark Goacher 1,530 2.9 +1.4
Majority 9,423 17.6 +7.0
Turnout 53,373 64.6 −2.3
Conservative hold Swing +3.5
General election 2017: Colchester[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Will Quince 24,565 45.9 +7.0
Labour Tim Young 18,888 35.3 +19.1
Liberal Democrats Bob Russell 9,087 17.0 −10.5
Green Mark Goacher 828 1.5 −3.6
CPA Robin Rennie[24] 177 0.3 +0.1
Majority 5,677 10.6 -0.8
Turnout 53,545 66.9 +1.4
Conservative hold Swing - 6.1
See also: Opinion polling in United Kingdom constituencies, 2010–15 § Colchester
General election 2015: Colchester[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Will Quince 18,919 38.9 +6.0
Liberal Democrats Bob Russell 13,344 27.5 −20.5
Labour Jordan Newell 7,852 16.2 +3.9
UKIP John Pitts 5,870 12.1 +9.2
Green Mark Goacher 2,499 5.1 +3.6
CPA Ken Scrimshaw 109 0.2 New
Majority 5,575 11.4 N/A
Turnout 48,593 65.5 +3.2
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +7.2
General election 2010: Colchester[26][27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Bob Russell 22,151 48.0 +0.3
Conservative Will Quince 15,169 32.9 +0.8
Labour Jordan Newell 5,680 12.3 −7.9
UKIP John Pitts 1,350 2.9 New
BNP Sidney Chaney 705 1.5 New
Green Peter Lynn 694 1.5 New
English Democrat Eddie Bone 335 0.7 New
Peoples Party Essex Garryck Noble 35 0.1 New
Independent Paul Shaw 20 0.0 New
Majority 6,982 15.1 −0.5
Turnout 46,139 62.3 +5.8
Liberal Democrats hold Swing −0.2

Elections in the 2000s
General election 2005: Colchester[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Bob Russell 21,145 47.1 +4.5
Conservative Kevin Bentley 14,868 33.1 +3.2
Labour Laura Bruni 8,886 19.8 −5.2
Majority 6,277 14.0 +1.3
Turnout 44,899 56.8 +0.7
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +0.6
General election 2001: Colchester[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Bob Russell 18,627 42.6 +8.2
Conservative Kevin Bentley 13,074 29.9 −1.5
Labour Christopher Fegan 10,925 25.0 −5.6
UKIP Roger Lord 631 1.4 New
Grey Party Leonard Overy-Owen 479 1.1 New
Majority 5,553 12.7 +9.7
Turnout 43,736 56.1 −13.1
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +4.9

Elections in the 1990s
General election 1997: Colchester[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Bob Russell 17,886 34.4 +1.7
Conservative Stephan Shakespeare 16,335 31.4 −10.6
Labour Rod Green 15,891 30.5 +6.4
Referendum John Hazell 1,776 3.4 New
Natural Law Loretta Basker 148 0.3 New
Majority 1,551 3.0 N/A
Turnout 52,036 69.2
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing

Elections in the 1970s
General election 1979: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 36,740 52.93
Labour Bob Russell 22,877 32.96
Liberal M Gage 9,794 14.11
Majority 13,863 19.97
Turnout 69,411 76.62
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 27,693 44.45
Labour David Whytock 22,193 35.62
Liberal D Christian 12,421 19.94
Majority 5,500 8.83
Turnout 62,307 76.14
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 29,072 43.38
Labour David Whytock 22,210 33.14
Liberal DW Thomas 15,737 23.48
Majority 6,862 10.24
Turnout 67,019 82.60
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 30,562 52.57
Labour John G Bartlett 20,325 34.96
Liberal Peter S Watts 7,248 12.47
Majority 10,237 17.61
Turnout 58,135 77.57
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s
General election 1966: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 24,320 45.60
Labour Michael Meacher 23,305 43.69
Liberal Peter S Watts 5,714 10.71
Majority 1,015 1.91
Turnout 53,339 82.26
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 23,319 46.03
Labour Charles Williams 19,780 39.04
Liberal Eric W Rodnight 7,566 14.93
Majority 3,539 6.99
Turnout 50,665 82.06
Conservative hold Swing
By Election 1961: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Antony Buck 17,891 47.14 −4.46
Labour John Wilson Fear 12,547 33.06 −2.81
Liberal Howard Fry 7,487 19.74 +7.26
Majority 5,344 14.08 −1.66
Turnout 37,925
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s
General election 1959: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cuthbert Alport 24,592 51.63
Labour Joan I. Edmonson 17,096 35.89
Liberal Peter M Linfoot 5,942 12.48 New
Majority 7,496 15.74
Turnout 47,630 82.44
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Colchester[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cuthbert Alport 24,796 55.48
Labour Co-op Norman R Thomas 19,898 44.52
Majority 4,898 10.96
Turnout 44,694 80.49
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cuthbert Alport 25,063 54.16
Labour Xenia Field 21,217 45.84
Majority 3,846 8.32
Turnout 46,280 84.84
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Cuthbert Alport 21,403 46.50
Labour Charles Delacourt-Smith 20,472 44.47
Liberal David Goldblatt 4,157 9.03
Majority 931 2.03 N/A
Turnout 46,032 86.77
Conservative gain from Labour Swing

Elections in the 1940s
General election 1945: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Charles Delacourt-Smith 16,587 45.31
Conservative Oswald Lewis 14,123 38.58
Liberal George Alexander Routledge 5,899 16.11 New
Majority 2,464 6.73 N/A
Turnout 36,609 73.87
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

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 from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

Elections in the 1930s
General election 1935: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Oswald Lewis 19,915 58.65
Labour Hubert Beaumont 14,039 41.35
Majority 5,876 17.30
Turnout 33,954 74.63
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Colchester
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Oswald Lewis 22,285 67.51
Labour Edward Aylmer Digby 10,725 32.49
Majority 11,560 35.02
Turnout 33,010 76.38
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s
General election 1929: Colchester[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Oswald Lewis 13,411 40.3 −16.3
Labour Richard Reiss 12,809 38.5 −4.9
Liberal William Elliston 6,896 20.7 New
Ind. Unionist C.C. Gray 172 0.5 New
Majority 602 1.8 −11.4
Turnout 33,288 79.4 +0.6
Registered electors 41,947
Unionist hold Swing −5.7
General election 1924: Colchester[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Laming Worthington-Evans 14,283 56.6 +13.2
Labour Richard Reiss 10,953 43.4 +9.2
Majority 3,330 13.2 +4.0
Turnout 25,236 78.8 +0.6
Registered electors 32,009
Unionist hold Swing +2.0
General election 1923: Colchester[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Laming Worthington-Evans 10,535 43.4 −13.3
Labour Richard Reiss 8,316 34.2 −9.1
Liberal Arthur Horne Goldfinch 5,430 22.4 New
Majority 2,219 9.2 −4.2
Turnout 24,281 78.2 +0.3
Registered electors 31,058
Unionist hold Swing −2.1
Worthington-Evans
General election 1922: Colchester[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Laming Worthington-Evans 13,142 56.7 −4.4
Labour Richard Reiss 10,045 43.3 +4.4
Majority 3,097 13.4 −8.8
Turnout 23,187 77.9 +17.7
Registered electors 29,779
Unionist hold Swing −4.4

Election results 1885–1918

Elections in the 1880s
Causton
General election 1885: Colchester[33][34][35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry John Trotter 2,044 52.1 +3.7
Liberal Richard Causton 1,878 47.9 −3.7
Majority 166 4.2 N/A
Turnout 3,922 92.5 +4.1 (est)
Registered electors 4,241
Conservative win (new seat)
General election 1886: Colchester[33][34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry John Trotter 1,996 54.0 +1.9
Liberal Richard Causton 1,701 46.0 −1.9
Majority 295 8.0 +2.8
Turnout 3,697 87.2 −5.3
Registered electors 4,241
Conservative hold Swing +1.9

Trotter's death a caused a by-election.

By-election, 18 Dec 1888: Colchester[33][34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Francis Greville 2,126 55.8 +1.8
Liberal William Brampton Gurdon 1,687 44.2 −1.8
Majority 439 11.6 +3.6
Turnout 3,813 86.3 −0.9
Registered electors 4,417
Conservative hold Swing +1.8

Elections in the 1890s
General election 1892: Colchester[33][34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Herbert Naylor-Leyland 2,173 50.7 −3.3
Liberal Weetman Pearson 2,112 49.3 +3.3
Majority 61 1.4 −6.6
Turnout 4,285 85.7 −1.5
Registered electors 5,000
Conservative hold Swing −3.3
Pearson
1895 Colchester by-election[33][34][36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Weetman Pearson 2,559 52.7 +3.4
Conservative John Medlicott Vereker 2,296 47.3 −3.4
Majority 263 5.4 N/A
Turnout 4,855 92.4 +6.7
Registered electors 5,257
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +3.4
General election 1895: Colchester[33][34][36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Weetman Pearson 2,475 52.2 +2.9
Conservative Edward Samuel Norris 2,270 47.8 −2.9
Majority 205 4.4 N/A
Turnout 4,745 90.3 +4.6
Registered electors 5,257
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +2.9

Elections in the 1900s
General election 1900: Colchester[33][34][36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Weetman Pearson 2,548 52.8 +0.6
Conservative Trevenen Holland 2,274 47.2 −0.6
Majority 274 5.6 +1.2
Turnout 4,822 85.1 −5.2
Registered electors 5,663
Liberal hold Swing +0.6
General election 1906: Colchester[33][34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Weetman Pearson 3,122 52.6 −0.2
Conservative Laming Worthington-Evans 2,812 47.4 +0.2
Majority 310 5.2 −0.4
Turnout 5,934 92.3 +7.2
Registered electors 6,426
Liberal hold Swing −0.2

Elections in the 1910s
General election January 1910: Colchester[33][37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laming Worthington-Evans 3,717 56.0 +8.6
Liberal Frederick Whitley-Thomson 2,926 44.0 −8.6
Majority 791 12.0 17.2
Turnout 6,643 91.9 −0.4
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +8.6
General election December 1910: Colchester[33][37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laming Worthington-Evans 3,489 54.8 −1.2
Liberal Edgar Vincent 2,874 45.2 +1.2
Majority 615 9.6 −2.4
Turnout 6,363 88.1 −3.8
Conservative hold Swing −1.2

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: Colchester[32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Laming Worthington-Evans 11,186 61.1 +6.3
Labour Andrew Conley 7,112 38.9 New
Majority 4,074 22.2 +12.6
Turnout 18,298 60.2 −27.9
Registered electors 30,372
Unionist hold Swing N/A
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Election results 1832–1885

Elections in the 1830s
General election 1832: Colchester[40][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory Richard Sanderson 648 48.7 +18.5
Radical Daniel Whittle Harvey 411 30.9 −4.6
Whig William Mayhew 272 20.4 −13.9
Turnout 991 90.2 c. +16.3
Registered electors 1,099
Majority 237 17.8 N/A
Tory gain from Whig
Majority 139 10.5 +9.3
Radical hold Swing −11.6
General election 1835: Colchester[40][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Sanderson 637 37.3 +13.0
Conservative George Smyth 568 33.2 +8.9
Whig Henry Tufnell 505 29.5 +9.1
Majority 63 3.7 −14.1
Turnout 1,040 90.3 +0.1
Registered electors 1,152
Conservative hold
Conservative gain from Radical Swing +2.2
General election 1837: Colchester[40][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Sanderson 472 38.9 +1.6
Conservative George Smyth 435 35.9 +2.7
Radical James Ruddell-Todd 306 25.2 N/A
Majority 129 10.7 +7.0
Turnout 739 62.9 −27.4
Registered electors 1,175
Conservative hold
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1840s
General election 1841: Colchester[40][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Sanderson Unopposed
Conservative George Smyth Unopposed
Registered electors 1,176
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
General election 1847: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Smyth 678 37.6 N/A
Whig Joseph Hardcastle 596 33.0 New
Conservative Richard Sanderson 531 29.4 N/A
Turnout 903 (est) 71.7 (est) N/A
Registered electors 1,258
Majority 82 4.6 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Majority 65 3.6 N/A
Whig gain from Conservative Swing N/A

Elections in the 1850s

Smyth's resignation caused a by-election.

By-election, 9 February 1850: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Manners 622 61.5 −5.5
Whig George Wingrove Cooke[41][42][43] 389 38.5 +5.5
Majority 233 23.0 +18.4
Turnout 1,011 (est) 80.9 (est) +9.2
Registered electors 1,250
Conservative hold Swing −5.5

Manners was appointed First Commissioner of Works and Public Buildings, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 4 March 1852: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Manners Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election 1852: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Warwick Hawkins 686 36.7 −0.9
Conservative John Manners 615 32.9 +3.5
Whig Joseph Hardcastle 468 25.1 −7.9
Conservative Henry Thoby Prinsep[44] 98 5.2 N/A
Majority 147 7.8 +3.2
Turnout 934 (est) 74.2 (est) +2.5
Registered electors 1,258
Conservative hold Swing +1.5
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +3.7

Manners resigned to contest the 1852 by-election in North Leicestershire, causing a by-election.

By-election, 24 February 1857: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Radical John Gurdon Rebow 563 54.6 N/A
Conservative Taverner John Miller 462 44.8 N/A
Radical William Rawdon Havens[45][46][47] 7 0.7 N/A
Majority 101 9.8 N/A
Turnout 1,032 (est) 80.5 (est) +6.3
Registered electors 1,282
Radical gain from Conservative Swing N/A
General election 1857: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Taverner John Miller 599 48.8 N/A
Radical John Gurdon Rebow 581 47.3 N/A
Radical William Rawdon Havens 48 3.9 N/A
Majority 18 1.5 −6.4
Turnout 614 (est) 47.9 (est) −26.3
Registered electors 1,282
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Radical gain from Conservative Swing N/A
General election 1859: Colchester[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Taverner John Miller 651 36.8 +12.4
Conservative Philip Oxenden Papillon 598 33.8 +9.4
Liberal John Gurdon Rebow 518 29.3 −18.0
Majority 80 4.5 +3.0
Turnout 884 (est) 70.3 (est) +22.4
Registered electors 1,257
Conservative hold Swing +10.7
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +9.2

Elections in the 1860s
General election 1865: Colchester (2 seats)[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Gurdon Rebow 691 36.5 +7.2
Conservative Taverner John Miller 640 33.8 −3.0
Conservative Philip Oxenden Papillon[48] 561 29.7 −4.1
Majority 51 2.7 N/A
Turnout 1,292 (est) 91.9 (est) +21.6
Registered electors 1,405
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +7.2
Conservative hold Swing −3.3

Miller resigned, causing a by-election.

By-election, 15 Feb 1867: Colchester (1 seat)[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Karslake 675 53.0 −10.5
Liberal William Brewer 598 47.0 +10.5
Majority 77 6.0 N/A
Turnout 1,273 90.6 −1.3
Registered electors 1,405
Conservative hold Swing −10.5
General election 1868: Colchester (2 seats)[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Gurdon Rebow 1,467 27.2 +8.9
Liberal William Brewer 1,417 26.3 +8.0
Conservative Edward Karslake 1,284 23.8 −10.0
Conservative Alexander Learmonth 1,217 22.6 −7.1
Majority 133 2.5 −0.2
Turnout 2,693 (est) 90.7 (est) −1.2
Registered electors 3,183
Liberal hold Swing +8.0
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +9.0

Elections in the 1870s

Rebow's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 3 Nov 1870: Colchester (1 seat)[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alexander Learmonth 1,363 61.5 +15.1
Liberal Henry Knight Storks[49] 853 38.5 −15.0
Majority 510 23.0 N/A
Turnout 2,216 70.5 −20.2
Registered electors 3,145
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +15.1
General election 1874: Colchester (2 seats)[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alexander Learmonth 1,515 28.0 +5.4
Conservative Herbert Mackworth-Praed 1,407 26.0 +2.2
Liberal William Brewer 1,279 23.6 −2.7
Liberal Richard Causton 1,218 22.5 −4.7
Majority 128 2.4 N/A
Turnout 2,710 (est) 85.1 (est) −5.6
Registered electors 3,183
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +4.1
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +3.5

Elections in the 1880s
Causton
General election 1880: Colchester (2 seats)[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Richard Causton 1,738 26.5 +4.0
Liberal William Willis 1,650 25.1 +1.5
Conservative Alexander Learmonth 1,648 25.1 −2.9
Conservative Francis Jeune[50] 1,529 23.3 −2.7
Majority 2 0.0 N/A
Turnout 3,283 (est) 88.4 (est) −0.7
Registered electors 3,713
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +3.5
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +2.1

Elections before 1832
General election 1831: Colchester[14][51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Radical Daniel Whittle Harvey 617 35.5 −4.8
Whig William Mayhew 595 34.3 +10.0
Tory Richard Sanderson 524 30.2 −5.2
Turnout 1,109 c. 73.9
Registered electors c. 1,500
Majority 22 1.2 −3.7
Radical hold Swing −7.4
Majority 71 4.1 N/A
Whig gain from Tory Swing +7.6
By-election, 9 April 1831: Colchester[14][51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig William Mayhew 604 55.2 +30.9
Tory Sir William Curtis, 2nd Baronet 490 44.8 +9.4
Majority 114 10.4 N/A
Turnout 1,094 c. 72.9
Registered electors c. 1,500
Whig gain from Tory Swing +10.8
  • Caused by Spottiswoode being unseated on petition
General election 1830: Colchester[14][51]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Radical Daniel Whittle Harvey 650 40.3
Tory Andrew Spottiswoode 571 35.4
Whig William Mayhew 393 24.3
Turnout 1,614
Registered electors c. 1,500
Majority 79 4.9
Radical hold Swing
Majority 178 11.1 '
Tory hold Swing

See also

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

References
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  3. "Colchester | History of Parliament Online". www.histparl.ac.uk. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
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  5. Fraser, Hugh (1918). The Representation of the people act, 1918 : with explanatory notes. University of California Libraries. London : Sweet and Maxwell.
  6. Craig, F. W. S. (1972). Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885-1972. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN 0-900178-09-4.
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  23. "Last night we selected our two candidates for the General Election. Mark Goacher will be standing in the Colchester constituency and Blake Roberts in Harwich and North Essex!". Colchester & District Green Party Facebook page. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  24. East Anglian Daily Times
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  33. British Parliamentary Election Results 1885-1918, FWS Craig
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  37. Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
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  39. Dictionary of Labour Biography
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Sources
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