Torbay (UK Parliament constituency)

Torbay is a constituency in Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Kevin Foster, a Conservative. He defeated Adrian Sanders of the Liberal Democrats, who had held the seat since 1997.

Torbay
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Torbay in Devon
Outline map
Location of Devon within England
CountyDevon
Electorate76,219 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsPaignton and Torquay
Current constituency
Created1974 (1974)
Member of ParliamentKevin Foster (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromTorquay

Boundaries

1974–1983: The County Borough of Torbay.

1983–2010: The Borough of Torbay wards of Cockington with Chelston, Coverdale, Ellacombe, Preston, St Marychurch, St Michael's with Goodrington, Shiphay, Tormohun, and Torwood.

2010–present: The Borough of Torbay wards of Clifton with Maidenway, Cockington with Chelston, Ellacombe, Goodrington with Roselands, Preston, Roundham with Hyde, St Marychurch, Shiphay with the Willows, Tormohun, Watcombe, and Wellswood.

The constituency covers the majority of the Torbay unitary authority in Devon, including the seaside resorts of Torquay and most of Paignton. The remainder of the borough is covered by the Totnes constituency.

History
Political history

After being held for several Parliaments (taking together various predecessor areas) by Conservatives, from 1997 the seat was held by Liberal Democrats until 2015 when a Conservative re-took it.

Prominent frontbenchers

Sir Frederic Bennett did not achieve his own ministry nationally, but he chaired in the European Parliament the European Democrats group.

Constituency profile

Consisting almost entirely of coastal towns and villages, the constituency has a range of tourist facilities, and a few nearby luxury resorts. In November 2012, unemployment was 5%, compared to the national average of 3.8%.[2]

The seat is home to the Plainmoor football ground, home to Torquay United.

Members of Parliament
ElectionMember[3] Party
Feb 1974Sir Frederic BennettConservative
1987Rupert AllasonConservative
1993Independent[lower-alpha 1]
1994Conservative
1997Adrian SandersLiberal Democrat
2015Kevin FosterConservative
  1. Whip withdrawn[4]

Elections

Elections in the 2010s
General election 2019: Torbay[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Kevin Foster 29,863 59.2 +6.2
Liberal Democrats Lee Howgate 12,114 24.0 ―1.1
Labour Michele Middleditch 6,562 13.0 ―5.2
Green Sam Moss 1,239 2.5 +1.2
Independent James Channer 648 1.3 New
Majority 17,749 35.2 +7.3
Turnout 50,426 67.2 ―0.2
Conservative hold Swing +3.65
General election 2017: Torbay[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Kevin Foster 27,141 53.0 +12.3
Liberal Democrats Deborah Brewer 12,858 25.1 ―8.7
Labour Paul Raybould 9,310 18.2 +9.5
UKIP Tony McIntyre 1,213 2.4 ―11.2
Green Sam Moss 652 1.3 ―1.9
Majority 14,283 27.9 +21.0
Turnout 51,174 67.4 +4.4
Conservative hold Swing +10.6
See also: Opinion polling in United Kingdom constituencies, 2010–15 § Torbay
General election 2015: Torbay[7][8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Kevin Foster 19,551 40.7 +2.0
Liberal Democrats Adrian Sanders 16,265 33.8 ―13.2
UKIP Anthony McIntyre 6,540 13.6 +8.3
Labour Su Maddock 4,166 8.7 +2.1
Green Paula Hermes 1,557 3.2 +2.2
Majority 3,286 6.9 N/A
Turnout 48,079 63.0 ―1.6
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing +7.6
General election 2010: Torbay[9][10][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Adrian Sanders 23,126 47.0 +5.2
Conservative Marcus Wood 19,048 38.7 +2.9
Labour David Pedrick-Friend 3,231 6.6 ―7.9
UKIP Julien Parrott 2,628 5.3 ―2.7
BNP Ann Conway 709 1.4 New
Green Sam Moss 468 1.0 New
Majority 4,078 8.3 +4.0
Turnout 49,210 64.6 +4.4
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +1.1

Elections in the 2000s
General election 2005: Torbay[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Adrian Sanders 19,317 40.8 ―9.7
Conservative Marcus Wood 17,288 36.5 +0.1
Labour David Pedrick-Friend 6,972 14.7 +5.3
UKIP Graham Booth 3,726 7.9 +4.7
Majority 2,029 4.3 ―9.8
Turnout 47,303 61.9 ―0.6
Liberal Democrats hold Swing ―4.9
General election 2001: Torbay[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Adrian Sanders 24,015 50.5 +10.9
Conservative Christian Sweeting 17,307 36.4 ―3.1
Labour John MacKay 4,484 9.4 ―5.5
UKIP Graham Booth 1,512 3.2 ―0.5
Independent Pam Neale 251 0.5 New
Majority 6,708 14.1 +14.0
Turnout 47,569 62.5 ―11.3
Liberal Democrats hold Swing +7.05

Elections in the 1990s
General election 1997: Torbay[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Adrian Sanders 21,094 39.6 ―0.2
Conservative Rupert Allason 21,082 39.5 ―10.4
Labour Michael Morey 7,923 14.9 +5.3
UKIP Graham Booth 1,962 3.7 New
Liberal Bruce Cowling 1,161 2.2 New
Rainbow Dream Ticket Paul Wild 100 0.2 New
Majority 12 0.1 N/A
Turnout 53,322 73.8 ―6.8
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +5.1

The 12 vote majority in Torbay was originally the second smallest in any of the 659 constituencies contested at the 1997 general election, with only the Liberal Democrats' majority of 2 in Winchester being smaller. However the Winchester result was subsequently challenged and declared void resulting in a by-election.[15]

General election 1992: Torbay[16][17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rupert Allason 28,624 49.9 ―4.1
Liberal Democrats Adrian Sanders 22,837 39.8 +2.2
Labour Peter Truscott 5,503 9.6 +1.2
National Front Robert Jones 268 0.5 New
Natural Law Alison Thomas 157 0.3 New
Majority 5,787 10.1 ―6.3
Turnout 57,389 80.6 +4.2
Conservative hold Swing ―3.2

Elections in the 1980s
General election 1987: Torbay[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rupert Allason 29,029 54.0 +1.4
Liberal Nicholas Bye 20,209 37.6 ―1.6
Labour Gerald Taylor 4,538 8.4 +1.2
Majority 8,820 16.4 +3.0
Turnout 53,776 76.4 +3.8
Conservative hold Swing +1.4
General election 1983: Torbay[20][21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frederic Bennett 25,721 52.6 ―1.5
Liberal Michael Mitchell 19,166 39.2 +16.1
Labour Philip Rackley 3,521 7.2 ―12.4
Independent Anne Murray 500 1.0 New
Majority 6,555 13.4 ―18.2
Turnout 48,908 72.6 ―2.5
Conservative hold Swing +8.8

Elections in the 1970s
General election 1979: Torbay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frederic Bennett 36,099 54.1 +5.7
Liberal Michael Mitchell 15,231 23.1 ―5.4
Labour Elaine Fear 12,919 19.6 ―3.5
Ecology David Abrahams 1,161 1.8 New
National Front June Spry 647 1.0 New
Majority 20,868 31.0 +11.1
Turnout 66,057 75.1 +2.2
Conservative hold Swing +5.5
General election October 1974: Torbay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frederic Bennett 30,208 48.4 ―0.2
Liberal John Goss 17,770 28.5 ―1.9
Labour Jack Tench 14,441 23.1 +2.0
Majority 12,438 19.9 +1.7
Turnout 62,419 72.9 ―7.4
Conservative hold Swing ―1.1
General election February 1974: Torbay
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Frederic Bennett 33,163 48.6
Liberal Bridget Trethewey 20,755 30.4
Labour Jack Tench 14,389 21.1
Majority 12,408 18.2
Turnout 68,307 80.3
Conservative win (new seat)

See also

Notes

    References
    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. Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
    3. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "T" (part 2)
    4. "Rupert Allason: No stranger to the courtroom". 17 October 2001. Retrieved 13 July 2022.
    5. Council, Torbay. "Parliamentary elections". www.torbay.gov.uk. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
    6. "2017 general election candidates in Devon". Devon Live. 11 May 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017.
    7. "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
    8. "Torbay - 2015 Election Results - General Elections Online". geo.digiminster.com. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
    9. "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
    10. "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll: Torbay". Torbay Borough Council. 21 April 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
    11. "BBC NEWS – Election 2010 – Torbay". BBC News.
    12. "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
    13. "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
    14. "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
    15. The Times Guide to the House of Commons 1997. London: Times Books. 1997. p. 299. ISBN 0-7230-0956-2.
    16. "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
    17. "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
    18. "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
    19. "Politics Resources". Election 1987. Politics Resources. Retrieved 16 November 2011.
    20. "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
    21. "Politics Resources". Election 1983. Politics Resources. Retrieved 16 November 2011.

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