Exeter (UK Parliament constituency)


Exeter is a constituency composed of the cathedral city and county town of Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. The constituency has had a history of representatives from 1900 of Conservative, Liberal Party, Independent and Labour representation.

Constituency profile

The constituency covers the majority of this affluent city, including the University and the Met Office which are significant employers.

Boundaries

1918–1950: The County Borough of Exeter.
1950–1974: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1974–1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1983–2010: The City of Exeter.
2010–present: The City of Exeter wards of Alphington, Cowick, Duryard, Exwick, Heavitree, Mincinglake, Newtown, Pennsylvania, Pinhoe, Polsloe, Priory, St David's, St James, St Leonard's, St Thomas, and Whipton and Barton.
The constituency covers most of the city of Exeter in Devon. It covered the entire city from 1918 until 2010, when, under the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which increased the number of seats in the county from 11 to 12, two wards of the City of Exeter were transferred to the neighbouring East Devon constituency.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1295–1660

ParliamentFirst memberSecond member
1351John Prescott-
1353John Prescott-
1365John Prescott-
1368John Prescott-
1386John GreyRichard Bosom
1388 Peter HadleyThomas Raymond
1388 Peter HadleyAdam Creedy
1390 Adam GoldeWilliam Frye
1390 -
1391John GreyWilliam Frye
1393John GreyRobert Cobbley
1394John GreyRichard Bosom
1395John GreyWilliam Wilford
1397 John GreyWilliam Wilford
1397 William FryeWilliam Wilford
1399Roger GoldeRobert Cobbley
1401Adam ScutJohn Coscombe
1402Roger GoldeWilliam Morehay
1404 William WilfordThomas Raymond
1404 John NywamanJohn Lake
1406Roger GoldeWilliam Dimmock
1407Nicholas ClerkWilliam Morehay
1410Richard RaymondJohn Shaplegh I
1411William WilfordJohn Lake
1413 Thomas EstonPeter Sturt
1413 Richard BosomJohn Pollow
1414 John WilfordJohn Shaplegh II
1414 Roger GoldeJohn Wilford
1415Richard CreseJohn Pollow
1416 Roger GoldeRobert Vessy
1416 Roger GoldeJohn Pollow
1417John Shaplegh IIThomas Cook
1419John Shaplegh IIJohn Pollow
1420John Shaplegh IIRichard Crese
1421 John Cutler alias CarwithanRoger Shillingford
1421 John Shaplegh IIJohn Shillingford
1510Thomas AndrewJohn Orenge
1512Richard HewetJohn Simon
1515Richard HewetJohn Simon
1523John NoseworthyJohn Bridgeman
1529Henry HamlinJohn Blackaller,
replaced 1534 by Robert Hooker alias Vowell
1536?
1539John HullWilliam Hurst
1542Thomas SpurwayWilliam Hurst
1543Gilbert Kirk replaced Spurway and John Pasmore replaced HurstGilbert Kirk replaced Spurway and John Pasmore replaced Hurst
1543' Thomas Spurway replaced Kirk, William Hurst replaced Pasmore' Thomas Spurway replaced Kirk, William Hurst replaced Pasmore
1545John GrenvilleWilliam Hurst
1547John Hull, died
and replaced 1549 by
Thomas Prestwood
Griffith Ameredith
1553 Robert WestonRichard Hart
1553 John RidgewayRichard Hart
1554 John RidgewayRichard Hart
1554 John GrenvilleJohn Petre
1555Sir John PollardEdmund Sture
1558John GrenvilleWalter Staplehill
1558/9Sir John PollardRichard Prestwood
1562/3Thomas Williams, died
and replaced 1566 by
Sir Peter Carew
Geoffrey Tothill
1571Geoffrey TothillJohn Vowell alias Hooker
1572Geoffrey Tothill, died
and replaced 1576 by
Edward Ameredith
Simon Knight
1584Thomas BruartonRichard Prowse
1586Edward DrewJohn Vowell alias Hooker
1588Edward DrewJohn Peryam
1593John HeleJohn Peryam
1597John HeleWilliam Martin
1601John HeleJohn Howell
1604George SmithJohn Prowse
1614John ProwseThomas Martyn
1621–1622John ProwseIgnatius Jordain
1624John ProwseNicholas Duck
1625Ignatius JordainNicholas Duck
1626Ignatius JordainJohn Hayne
1628-1629Ignatius JordainJohn Lynn
1629–1640No Parliaments summonedNo Parliaments summoned
Apr 1640Robert WalkerSimon Snow in place of Jacob Tucker
Nov 1640Robert Walker
disabled 1643
Simon Snow
1645Simon Snow
secluded in Pride's Purge
Samuel Clark
1648Samuel Clark
1653Exeter not represented in the Barebones ParliamentExeter not represented in the Barebones Parliament
1654Thomas BampfieldThomas Gibbons
1656Thomas BampfieldThomas Westlake
1659Thomas BampfieldMaj. Thomas Gibbon

MPs 1660–1885

Two members

MPs since 1885

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Election in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

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 and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;

Election results 1885-1918

Elections in the 1880s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1900s

Elections in the 1910s

Upon petition, this election was subject to a recount due to the closeness of the results. On the first count, St. Maur led with 4,786 votes to Duke's 4,782. On a second count, St. Maur again led with 4,782 votes to Duke's 4,778. Closer scrutiny led to the above count, allowing Duke to retain the seat.
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 the July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
Duke is appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, prompting a by-election.
Duke is appointed Lord Justice of Appeal and resigns, prompting a by-election.

Election results 1868-1880

Elections in the 1860s

Coleridge was appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales, requiring a by-election.

Elections in the 1870s

Coleridge resigned after being appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Elections in the 1880s

Election results 1832-1868

Elections in the 1830s

Elections in the 1840s

Follett was appointed Solicitor General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Follett was appointed Attorney General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Follett's death caused a by-election.

Elections in the 1850s

Elections in the 1860s

Divett's death caused a by-election.

Elections before 1832