Christchurch is a constituency in Dorset represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 1997 by Sir Christopher Chope of the Conservative Party.

History

The original Christchurch constituency, a parliamentary borough, existed from 1572 until 1918. In 1918 the constituency was divided between New Forest and Christchurch and Bournemouth. The constituency was re-created as a county constituency in 1983 from parts of the seats of Christchurch and Lymington, North Dorset and New Forest. It has since 1983 seen strong Conservative majorities, with the exception of a 1993 by-election caused by the death of Robert Adley when it was won by Diana Maddock, a Liberal Democrat. The Conservatives regained the seat at the next general election in 1997, despite their landslide defeat nationally and Chris Chope has retained it ever since. As of 2017, it is the second strongest Conservative seat in terms of voteshare (69.7%) and strongest in terms of majority (49.6%) in the country, although 2017 also saw Labour come second in the seat for the first time in history, having historically been far weaker than the Liberal Democrats and, in 2015, UKIP.

Boundaries

1983–1997: The Borough of Christchurch, and the District of Wimborne wards of Ameysford, Ferndown Central, Golf Links, Longham, St Leonards and St Ives East, St Leonards and St Ives South, St Leonards and St Ives West, Stapehill, Tricketts Cross, Verwood, West Moors North, West Moors South, and West Parley. 1997–2010: The Borough of Christchurch, and the District of East Dorset wards of Ameysford, Ferndown Central, Golf Links, St Leonards and St Ives East, St Leonards and St Ives South, St Leonards and St Ives West, Tricketts Cross, Verwood, West Moors North, West Moors South, and West Parley. 2010–2024: The Borough of Christchurch, and the District of East Dorset wards of Ameysford, Ferndown Central, Ferndown Links, Longham, Parley, St Leonards and St Ives East, St Leonards and St Ives West, Stapehill, and West Moors. 2024–present: The District of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole wards of: Burton and Grange, Christchurch Town, Commons, Highcliffe and Walkford, Mudeford, Stanpit and West Highcliffe, and the Dorset wards of: Ferndown North, Ferndown South, St. Leonards & St. Ives, West Moors & Three Legged Cross, West Parley.

Constituency profile

The area is not as rural as the adjoining New Forest constituencies, nor as urban as Bournemouth and Poole, and contains a mixed assortment of coastal retirement havens, outlying Bournemouth suburbs and the town of Christchurch itself which has expanded to include dedicated villages of sheltered housing on its outskirts. Consequently, the present Christchurch seat contains one of the most elderly electorates in the country – only Eastbourne and East Devon have an older average voter age and Christchurch has the highest proportion of over-60s of all UK seats. Having recovered from an early-1990s by-election loss, it is today a very safe Conservative seat, with MP Christopher Chope attaining 65% of the votes, a majority of 47%, at the last general election. It is the safest Tory seat in the South West and on most analyses is on the fringe of the area that usually qualifies as the South West, served by a station with direct links to the capital and closest to London. Bournemouth Airport is located in the constituency.

Members of Parliament

Parliamentary borough (1572–1918)

MPs 1571–1640

MPs 1640–1832

MPs 1832–1918

County constituency

MPs since 1983

Elections 1983–present

Elections in the 2020s

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Percentage share changes compared with 1992 general election. .

Elections in the 1980s

Election results 1868–1918

Elections in the 1860s

Elections in the 1870s

Elections in the 1880s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1900s

The original tally for the 1906 election had Balfour with 3,411 votes and Brassey with 3,408 votes. However, a recount resulted in the increased majority for Balfour.

Elections in the 1910s

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;

Election results 1832–1868

Elections in the 1830s

Elections in the 1840s

Rose resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Manor of Northstead, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1850s

Elections in the 1860s

Elections before 1832

Neighbouring constituencies

Sources