Berwick-upon-Tweed_(UK_Parliament_constituency)

Berwick-upon-Tweed (UK Parliament constituency)

Berwick-upon-Tweed (UK Parliament constituency)

UK Parliament constituency in England since 2015


Berwick-upon-Tweed (/ˌbɛrɪk-/ ) is a parliamentary constituency[n 1] in Northumberland represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Anne-Marie Trevelyan, a Conservative.[n 2]

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It was a parliamentary borough in the county of Northumberland of the House of Commons of England from 1512 to 1706, then of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. It returned two Members of Parliament (MPs), elected by the bloc vote system.

It has been a county constituency since 1885, electing one MP under the first-past-the-post system.

Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat will be expanded to include the town of Morpeth from the (to be abolished) constituency of Wansbeck. Accordingly, it will renamed North Northumberland.[3]

Profile

The constituency of Berwick-upon-Tweed is in the county of Northumberland. It includes as its northernmost point the town of Berwick-upon-Tweed and stretches south to include the towns of Alnwick and Amble — the Northumberland coast forms its long eastern boundary. Its length is roughly 50 miles (80 km) and its area is 2,310 square kilometres.

Predominantly rural in character, this constituency is the most northerly in England and is relatively sparsely populated.

History

Berwick had been intermittently represented in Scottish Parliaments but it is thought that it was first enfranchised as an English borough between 1491 and 1512.[4]

It was unaffected by the Reform Act 1832 and continued to elect two MPs until it was abolished by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. The 1885 Act re-constituted the constituency as one of four divisions of Northumberland, each electing one MP.

Boundaries

1832–1885

The contents of the parliamentary borough, as defined by the Parliamentary Boundaries Act 1832, were:

The Parish of Berwick, and the Respective Townships of Tweedmouth and Spittal.[5][6]

1885–1918

The contents of the county division, as defined by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, were:

The Sessional Divisions of Bamburgh, Coquetdale East (part), Coquetdale North, Glendale, and Norhamshire and Islandshire; and the Municipal Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed.[7]

1918–1950

Gained small areas to south from Wansbeck (Amble) and Hexham (Rothbury).

1950–1983

No change (the Urban District of Rothbury had been absorbed into the Rural District).

1983–present

Map of current boundaries
  • the District of Alnwick
  • the Borough of Berwick-upon-Tweed
  • in the Borough of Castle Morpeth, the wards of Chevington, Ellington, Hartburn, Longhorsley, Lynemouth and Ulgham.[10][11][12]

Contents changed following reorganisation of local authorities in 1974. The seat was expanded southwards, adding the (rural) wards in Castle Morpeth Borough, previously part of the abolished constituency of Morpeth.

2007 boundary review

In the fifth periodic boundary review of parliamentary representation in Northumberland, which came into effect for the 2010 general election, the contents of the existing Berwick constituency were unchanged and the Boundary Commission for England made only minor changes to take account of ward boundary changes. A proposal to rename the historic seat "Berwick-upon-Tweed and Mid Northumberland" was rejected: whilst it is geographically accurate, it was thought unwieldy.[13][n 3]

In 2009, a further government reorganisation resulted in the abolition of all local government boroughs and districts in Northumberland and the establishment of the county as a unitary authority.[14] However, this has not affected the current constituency boundaries.

Political history

Rural in nature, sparse of population and with agriculture as a major source of employment, Berwick-upon-Tweed has never elected a Labour candidate, one of two constituencies in the north east of England not to have done so. The closest Labour have ever come to winning the seat was at the 1966 general election, where they finished just 4,373 votes behind incumbent Conservative MP Antony Lambton.

The area has been notable for its Liberal politicians – both Sir William Beveridge (influential in the formation of the National Health Service) and Edward Grey (Foreign Secretary at the beginning of World War I, best remembered for the "lamps are going out all over Europe...." remark) have served this constituency.

It was represented by Liberal Democrat Sir Alan Beith from 1973 (formerly Liberal) until his retirement in 2015, when it was gained by the Conservative candidate Anne-Marie Trevelyan. Beith was first elected at a by-election, required as a result of the resignation of the then incumbent MP Antony Lambton (Conservative), who had been caught up in a scandal involving call girls, marijuana and a tabloid newspaper.

In 1923, Mabel Philipson, a former music hall actress, took over the seat as a Conservative, when her husband was forced to resign. In doing so she became only the third female MP to sit in the House of Commons since female members became legal five years previously.

Members of Parliament

The seat has sent members to Parliament since its enfranchisement by Henry VIII. It initially sent two members; this was reduced to one in 1885.

MPs before 1660

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MPs 1660–1885

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MPs since 1885

Elections

2010s2000s1990s1980s1970s1960s1950s1940s1930s1920s1910s1900s1890s1880s1832 to 1880

Berwick election results

Elections in the 2010s

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Elections in the 2000s

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Elections in the 1990s

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Elections in the 1980s

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Elections in the 1970s

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Elections in the 1960s

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Elections in the 1950s

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Elections in the 1940s

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Elections in the 1930s

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Elections in the 1920s

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Elections in the 1910s

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Elections in the 1900s

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Elections in the 1890s

Sir Edward Grey
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Elections in the 1880s

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[44]

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  • Caused by Marjoribanks elevation to the peerage, becoming Lord Tweedmouth.
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  • Caused by Strutt's elevation to the peerage, becoming Lord Belper.
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Elections from 1832 to 1880

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  • Caused by Gordon's death.
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  • Caused by Earle's resignation.
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  • Caused by the 1852 election being declared void on petition, due to bribery.[51]
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Elections before 1832

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See also

Notes

  1. A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. As with all constituencies, the first past the post system of election is used with elections at least every five years.
  3. MPs references to each other at least in writing, are entered by a full constituency name in Hansard

References

  1. "Berwick-upon-Tweed: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 11 January 2016. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. "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.
  3. "Berwick-upon-Tweed | History of Parliament Online". www.histparl.ac.uk. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  4. Britain, Great (1832). The Statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Passed in the ... [1807–69]. His Majesty's statute and law Printers. p. 353.
  5. Great Britain, Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales. The public general acts. unknown library. Proprietors of the Law Journal Reports, 1884. p. 167.
  6. Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885–1972;. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. p. 25. ISBN 0-900178-09-4. OCLC 539011.
  7. Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885–1972;. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. pp. 81, 139. ISBN 0-900178-09-4. OCLC 539011.
  8. "Northumberland | History, Facts, & Points of Interest | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 13 September 2022.
  9. "History of Parliament". Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  10. "History of Parliament". Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  11. Created The Viscount Barrington (in the Peerage of Ireland), 1720
  12. Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844–1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 240–242. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  13. Created The Lord Delaval (in the Peerage of Ireland), 1783
  14. Succeeded as The 4th Viscount Lisburne (in the Peerage of Ireland), January 1766
  15. Major-General 1776, Lieutenant-General 1782, knighted (KB) 1792
  16. On petition, Fordyce and Hall were adjudged not to have been duly elected and the election result was reversed
  17. Escott, Margaret (2009). "BLAKE, Sir Francis, 3rd bt. (1774–1860), of Tilmouth Park, co. Dur.; Knowle Green, Staines, and 15 Sloane Street, Mdx". The History of Parliament. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  18. Foot, M. R. D., ed. (1968). The Gladstone Diaries: Volume One: 1825–1832. Oxford: Clarendon Press. p. 55. ISBN 0-19-821370-0. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2019 via Google Books.
  19. "Saunders's News-Letter". 1 February 1839. p. 1. Retrieved 30 November 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.
  20. Sherwood, Marika (2007). After Abolition: Britain and the Slave Trade since 1807. London: I.B. Tauris. p. 171. ISBN 9781845113650. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2020 via Google Books.
  21. Wickham, Michael John (2002). "Electoral Politics in Berwick-Upon-Tweed, 1832–1885" (PDF). Durham E-Theses Online. Durham University. p. 44. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  22. "Berwick". Bedfordshire Times and Independent. 23 August 1859. p. 4. Retrieved 8 April 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.
  23. "Berwick-upon-Tweed Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Archived from the original on 8 May 2015. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  24. "General Elections Online 2015". Digiminster. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  25. L Carrol (8 May 2015). "ELECTION OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR THE BERWICK UPON TWEED CONSTITUENCY. DECLARATION OF RESULT OF POLL" (PDF). Northumberland County Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  26. "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  27. "BBC News – Election 2010 – Berwick-Upon-Tweed". BBC News. Archived from the original on 14 April 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  28. "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  29. "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  30. "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  31. "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  32. "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  33. "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  34. British parliamentary election results, 1885–1918 by FWS Craig
  35. Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885–1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
  36. Kingsley, Nick (11 April 2016). "(213) Askew of Redheugh, Pallinsburn and Ladykirk". Landed families of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  37. "Wednesdays Telegrams". The Cornishman. No. 172. 27 October 1881. p. 5.
  38. Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (e-book) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
  39. "Election Intelligence: Berwick". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser. 30 August 1881. p. 5. Archived from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
  40. "Berwick". Newcastle Journal. 17 November 1868. p. 3. Retrieved 28 January 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.
  41. "Election News". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 14 August 1868. p. 3. Retrieved 28 January 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.
  42. "Berwick Election". The Scotsman. 30 October 1868. p. 6. Retrieved 28 January 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.
  43. "The General Election". Illustrated Berwick Journal. 30 June 1865. p. 3. Retrieved 28 January 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.
  44. "The Berwick Election and Mr. Richard Hodgson". Newcastle Guardian and Tyne Mercury. 30 April 1853. p. 5. Retrieved 8 April 2018 via British Newspaper Archive.

Sources

55°33′N 1°55′W


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