Exeter (UK Parliament constituency)

Exeter
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Interactive map of boundaries from 2024
Map of constituency
Boundary of Exeter in South West England
CountyDevon
Electorate71,713 (2023)[1]
Major settlementsExeter
Current constituency
Created1295
Member of ParliamentSteve Race (Labour)
Seats1295–1885: Two
1885–present: One

Exeter (/ˈɛksɪtər/ EK-sit-ər) is a constituency[n 1] composed of the cathedral city and county town of Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Steve Race of the Labour Party.[n 2]

Constituency profile

The Exeter constituency is located in Devon and covers most of the city of Exeter excluding some of its eastern suburbs. Exeter is a historic cathedral city with origins in the Roman period. It is home to the University of Exeter, which has around 30,000 students.[2] The city is an important centre of employment with many commuters from nearby towns.[3] The constituency has average levels of deprivation; the suburb of Pennsylvania near the university is affluent whilst the area around Wonford is more deprived.[4] House prices are slightly below the national average.[5]

In general, residents of the constituency are young and well-educated. Levels of professional employment and household income are similar to national averages. White people made up 89% of the population at the 2021 census.[5] At the city council, most of Exeter's suburbs are represented by the Labour Party with Green Party councillors elected in the city centre. At the county council, the suburbs are instead mostly represented by Reform UK. An estimated 57% of voters in the constituency supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum compared to 48% nationwide.[5]

History

The constituency existed continuously as a parliamentary borough/borough constituency, electing two MPs from 1295 (the Model Parliament) until 1885, when its representation was reduced to one MP by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.

The constituency has had a history of representatives from 1900 of Conservative, Liberal Party, Independent and Labour representation. Since 1997, it has been held by the Labour Party, which currently has a majority of over 10,000, suggesting this is a safe seat for the party.

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.

2010–2024: 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.

2024–present: The following wards of the City of Exeter (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • Alphington, Duryard & St James, Exwick, Heavitree, Mincinglake & Whipton, Newtown & St Leonard's, Pennsylvania, Priory, St David's, and St Thomas.[6]

The constituency currently covers most of the city of Exeter in Devon. It covered the entire city 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 (St Loyes and Topsham) were transferred to the neighbouring East Devon constituency.[7]

The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies concluded that the electoral wards of Pinhoe, St Loyes and Topsham (which incorporates part of the Countess Wear area) would be included in the new constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East.[8]

Members of Parliament

MPs 1295–1660

Parliament First member Second member
1351 John Prescott[9]
1353 John Prescott[9]
1365 John Prescott[9]
1368 John Prescott[9]
1386 John Grey Richard Bosom[10]
1388 (Feb) Peter Hadley Thomas Raymond[10]
1388 (Sep) Peter Hadley Adam Creedy[10]
1390 (Jan) Adam Golde William Frye[10]
1390 (Nov)
1391 John Grey William Frye[10]
1393 John Grey Robert Cobbley[10]
1394 John Grey Richard Bosom[10]
1395 John Grey William Wilford[10]
1397 (Jan) John Grey William Wilford[10]
1397 (Sep) William Frye William Wilford[10]
1399 Roger Golde Robert Cobbley[10]
1401 Adam Scut John Coscombe[10]
1402 Roger Golde William Morehay[10]
1404 (Jan) William Wilford Thomas Raymond[10]
1404 (Oct) John Nywaman John Lake[10]
1406 Roger Golde William Dimmock[10]
1407 Nicholas Clerk William Morehay[10]
1410 Richard Raymond John Shaplegh I[10]
1411 William Wilford John Lake[10]
1413 (Feb) Thomas Eston Peter Sturt[10]
1413 (May) Richard Bosom John Pollow[10]
1414 (Apr) John Wilford John Shaplegh II[10]
1414 (Nov) Roger Golde John Wilford[10]
1415 Richard Crese John Pollow[10]
1416 (Mar) Roger Golde Robert Vessy[10]
1416 (Oct) Roger Golde John Pollow[10]
1417 John Shaplegh II Thomas Cook[10]
1419 John Shaplegh II John Pollow[10]
1420 John Shaplegh II Richard Crese[10]
1421 (May) John Cutler alias Carwithan Roger Shillingford[10]
1421 (Dec) John Shaplegh II John Shillingford[10]
1510 Thomas Andrew John Orenge[11]
1512 Richard Hewet John Simon[11]
1515 Richard Hewet John Simon[11]
1523 John Noseworthy John Bridgeman[11]
1529 Henry Hamlin John Blackaller,
replaced 1534 by Robert Hooker alias Vowell[11]
1536 ?
1539 John Hull William Hurst[11]
1542 Thomas Spurway William Hurst[11]
1543 Gilbert Kirk replaced Spurway and John Pasmore replaced Hurst[11]
1543 (substitution reversed) Thomas Spurway replaced Kirk, William Hurst replaced Pasmore[11]
1545 John Grenville William Hurst[11]
1547 John Hull, died
and replaced 1549 by Thomas Prestwood		 Griffith Ameredith[11]
1553 (Mar) Robert Weston Richard Hart[11]
1553 (Oct) John Ridgeway Richard Hart[11]
1554 (Apr) John Ridgeway Richard Hart[11]
1554 (Nov) John Grenville John Petre[11]
1555 Sir John Pollard Edmund Sture[11]
1558 John Grenville Walter Staplehill[11]
1558–9 Sir John Pollard Richard Prestwood[12]
1562–3 Thomas Williams, died
and replaced 1566 by Sir Peter Carew		 Geoffrey Tothill[12]
1571 Geoffrey Tothill John Vowell alias Hooker[12]
1572 Geoffrey Tothill, died
and replaced 1576 by Edward Ameredith		 Simon Knight[12]
1584 Thomas Bruarton Richard Prowse[12]
1586 Edward Drew John Vowell alias Hooker[12]
1588 Edward Drew John Peryam[12]
1593 John Hele John Peryam[12]
1597 John Hele William Martin[12]
1601 John Hele John Howell[12]
1604 George Smith John Prowse
1614 John Prowse Thomas Martyn
1621–1622 John Prowse Ignatius Jordain
1624 John Prowse Nicholas Duck
1625 Ignatius Jordain Nicholas Duck
1626 Ignatius Jordain John Hayne
1628–1629 Ignatius Jordain John Lynn
1629–1640 No Parliaments summoned
Apr 1640 Robert Walker Simon Snow in place of Jacob Tucker
Nov 1640 Robert Walker
disabled 1643		 Simon Snow
1645 Simon Snow
secluded in Pride's Purge		 Samuel Clark
1648 Samuel Clark (one seat only)
1653 Exeter not represented in the Barebones Parliament
1654 Thomas Bampfield Thomas Gibbons
1656 Thomas Bampfield Thomas Westlake
1659 Thomas Bampfield Maj. Thomas Gibbon

MPs 1660–1885

Two members

Year First member[13] First party Second member[13] Second party
1660 John Maynard Thomas Bampfield
1661 Sir James Smyth Robert Walker
1673 Thomas Walker
1679 William Glyde Malachi Pyne
1681 Sir Thomas Carew Thomas Walker
1685 James Walker Edward Seymour Tory
Jan 1689 Sir Henry Pollexfen
Jun 1689 Christopher Bale
1695 Edward Seyward Sir Joseph Tily
1698 Sir Edward Seymour Tory Sir Bartholomew Shower
1702 John Snell Tory
Apr 1708 John Harris Whig
May 1708 Nicholas Wood Tory
1710 Sir Coplestone Bampfylde Tory John Snell Tory
1713 John Rolle Francis Drewe
1715 John Bampfylde
1722 John Rolle
1727 Samuel Molyneux
1728 John Belfield
1734 John King Thomas Balle
1735 Sir Henry Northcote
1741 Humphrey Sydenham
1743 Sir Richard Bampfylde, Bt
1747 John Tuckfield
1754 John Rolle Walter
1767 William Spicer
1768 John Buller
1774 Sir Charles Bampfylde Whig[14]
1776 John Baring
1790 James Buller
1796 Sir Charles Bampfylde Whig[14]
1802 James Buller Tory[14]
1812 William Courtenay Tory[14]
1818 Robert Newman Whig[14]
Feb 1826 Samuel Trehawke Kekewich Tory[14]
Jun 1826 Lewis William Buck Tory[14]
1830 James Wentworth Buller Whig[14]
1832 Edward Divett Radical[15][16]
1835 Sir William Webb Follett Conservative[14]
1845 Sir John Duckworth, Bt Conservative
1857 Richard Gard Conservative
1864 Viscount Courtenay Conservative
1865 John Coleridge Liberal
1868 Edgar Alfred Bowring Liberal
1873 Arthur Mills Conservative
1874 John George Johnson Conservative
1880 Edward Johnson Liberal Henry Northcote Conservative
1885 representation reduced to one member

MPs since 1885

Election Member[13] Party
1885 Henry Northcote Conservative
1899 by-election Sir Edgar Vincent Conservative
1906 Sir George Kekewich Liberal
January 1910 Henry Duke Conservative
December 1910[17] Harold St Maur Liberal
1911[17] Henry Duke Conservative
1918 Sir Robert Newman Conservative
1929 Independent
1931 Arthur Reed Conservative
1945 John Maude Conservative
1951 Sir Rolf Dudley-Williams, Bt Conservative
1966 Gwyneth Dunwoody Labour
1970 Sir John Hannam Conservative
1997 Sir Ben Bradshaw Labour
2024 Steve Race Labour

Elections

Exeter election results since 1900
Exeter election results since 1900

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Exeter[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Steve Race 18,225 45.3 −9.5
Conservative Tessa Tucker 6,288 15.6 −16.5
Green Andrew Bell 5,907 14.7 +5.4
Reform Lee Bunker 4,914 12.2 +9.6
Liberal Democrats Will Aczel 4,201 10.5 N/A
Independent William Poulter 466 1.2 N/A
Independent Robert Spain 194 0.5 N/A
Majority 11,937 29.7 +11.2
Turnout 40,195 59.2 −8.2
Registered electors 67,840
Labour hold Swing Increase3.5

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result[20]
Party Vote %
Labour 26,500 54.8
Conservative 15,512 32.1
Green 4,516 9.3
Brexit Party 1,257 2.6
Others 565 1.1
Liberal Democrats 8 <0.1
Turnout 48,358 67.4
Electorate 71,713
General election 2019: Exeter[21][22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 29,882 53.2 −8.8
Conservative John Gray 19,479 34.7 +1.8
Green Joe Levy 4,838 8.6 +6.7
Brexit Party Leslie Willis 1,428 2.5 New
Independent Daniel Page 306 0.5 New
UKIP Duncan Odgers 259 0.5 New
Majority 10,403 18.5 −10.6
Turnout 56,192 68.5 −3.2
Labour hold Swing −5.8
General election 2017: Exeter[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 34,336 62.0 +15.6
Conservative James Taghdissian 18,219 32.9 −0.2
Liberal Democrats Vanessa Newcombe 1,562 2.8 −1.5
Green Joe Levy 1,027 1.9 −4.6
Independent Jonathan West 212 0.4 New
Independent Jonathan Bishop 67 0.1 New
Majority 16,117 29.1 +15.8
Turnout 55,423 71.7 +1.5
Labour hold Swing +7.9
General election 2015: Exeter[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 25,062 46.4 +8.2
Conservative Dom Morris 17,879 33.1 +0.1
UKIP Keith Crawford 5,075 9.4 +5.7
Green Diana Moore 3,491 6.5 +5.0
Liberal Democrats Joel Mason 2,321 4.3 −16.0
TUSC Ed Potts 190 0.4 New
Majority 7,183 13.3 +8.1
Turnout 54,018 70.2 +2.5
Labour hold Swing +4.0
General election 2010: Exeter[25][26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 19,942 38.2 −4.0
Conservative Hannah Foster 17,221 33.0 +8.1
Liberal Democrats Graham Oakes 10,581 20.3 −0.7
UKIP Keith Crawford 1,930 3.7 +0.3
Liberal Chris Gale 1,108 2.1 −2.3
Green Paula Black 792 1.5 −2.3
BNP Robert Farmer 673 1.3 New
Majority 2,721 5.2 −12.1
Turnout 52,247 67.7 +3.4
Labour hold Swing −6.0

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Exeter[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 22,619 41.1 −8.7
Conservative Peter Cox 14,954 27.2 −0.2
Liberal Democrats Jon Underwood 11,340 20.6 +8.2
Liberal Margaret Danks 2,214 4.0 −0.9
Green Tim Brenan 1,896 3.4 +1.0
UKIP Mark Fitzgeorge-Parker 1,854 3.4 +1.3
Independent John Stuart 191 0.3 −1.8
Majority 7,665 13.9 −8.5
Turnout 55,068 64.8 +0.6
Labour hold Swing −4.2
General election 2001: Exeter[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 26,194 49.8 +2.3
Conservative Anne Jobson 14,435 27.4 −1.2
Liberal Democrats Richard Copus 6,512 12.4 −5.6
Liberal David Morrish 2,596 4.9 +1.6
Green Paul Edwards 1,240 2.4 +1.4
UKIP John Stuart 1,109 2.1 New
Socialist Alliance Francis Choules 530 1.0 New
Majority 11,759 22.4 +3.5
Turnout 52,616 64.2 −14.0
Labour hold Swing +1.7

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Exeter[29][30][31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Ben Bradshaw 29,398 47.5 +11.3
Conservative Adrian Rogers 17,693 28.6 −13.5
Liberal Democrats Dennis Brewer 11,148 18.0 −1.4
Liberal David Morrish 2,062 3.3 +1.5
Green Paul Edwards 643 1.0 −0.2
UKIP Corrine Haynes 638 1.0 New
Pensioners James Meakin 282 0.5 New
Majority 11,705 18.9 N/A
Turnout 61,864 78.2 −2.3
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +12.5
General election 1992: Exeter[32][33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 25,543 41.1 −3.3
Labour John N. Lloyd 22,498 36.2 +13.7
Liberal Democrats Graham J. Oakes 12,059 19.4 −12.4
Liberal Alison C. Micklem 1,119 1.8 New
Green Tim J.R. Brenan 764 1.2 +0.2
Natural Law Michael J. Turnbull 98 0.2 New
Majority 3,045 4.9 −7.7
Turnout 62,081 80.5 −0.1
Conservative hold Swing −8.5

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Exeter[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 26,922 44.4 −2.1
SDP Mike Thomas 19,266 31.8 +2.5
Labour John Vincent 13,643 22.5 −0.3
Green Raymond Vail 597 1.0 −0.4
L.A.P.P Nigel Byles 209 0.3 New
Majority 7,656 12.6 −4.6
Turnout 60,637 80.6 +2.6
Conservative hold Swing −2.3
General election 1983: Exeter[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 26,660 46.5 −1.9
SDP Stephen Mennell 16,780 29.3 +13.7
Labour Richard Evans 13,088 22.8 −11.3
Ecology Peter Frings 779 1.4 −0.5
Majority 9,880 17.2 +2.9
Turnout 57,307 78.0 −3.6
Conservative hold Swing -7.8

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 27,173 48.4 +7.7
Labour G.W. Hobbs 19,146 34.1 −2.3
Liberal H. Marsh 8,756 15.6 −7.3
Ecology Peter Frings 1,053 1.9 New
Majority 8,027 14.3 +10.0
Turnout 56,128 81.6 +1.3
Conservative hold Swing +5.0
General election October 1974: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 21,970 40.7 +0.6
Labour F Keith Taylor 19,622 36.4 +5.2
Liberal David John Morrish 12,342 22.9 −5.9
Majority 2,348 4.3 −4.6
Turnout 53,934 80.3 −5.0
Conservative hold Swing -2.9
General election February 1974: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 22,762 40.1 −5.7
Labour G. Powell 17,686 31.2 −9.6
Liberal David John Morrish 16,322 28.8 +15.2
Majority 5,076 8.9 +6.3
Turnout 56,770 85.3 +4.2
Conservative hold Swing +7.7
General election 1970: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Hannam 21,680 45.0 +4.2
Labour Gwyneth Dunwoody 20,409 42.4 −6.2
Liberal David John Morrish 6,672 13.6 +2.9
Majority 1,271 2.6 N/A
Turnout 48,761 81.1 −2.5
Conservative gain from Labour Swing +5.2

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gwyneth Dunwoody 22,199[36] 48.6 +10.3
Conservative Rolf Dudley-Williams 18,613 40.8 −0.6
Liberal Ronald Cuthbert Thompson 4,869 10.7 −9.6
Majority 3,586 7.85 N/A
Turnout 45,681 83.63 +3.3
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +5.49
General election 1964: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rolf Dudley-Williams 18,035 41.4 −7.3
Labour Gwyneth Dunwoody 16,673 38.3 +2.4
Liberal Ronald Cuthbert Thompson 8,815 20.3 +4.8
Majority 1,362 3.1 −9.7
Turnout 43,523 80.3 −1.7
Conservative hold Swing −4.8

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rolf Dudley-Williams 21,579 48.7 −7.6
Labour Albert John Rogers 15,918 35.9 −7.8
Liberal Gordon Taylor 6,852 15.5 New
Majority 5,661 12.8 +0.2
Turnout 44,349 82.0 +2.7
Conservative hold Swing +0.1
General election 1955: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rolf Dudley-Williams 24,147 56.28 +5.48
Labour Leslie Merrion 18,759 43.72 +3.08
Majority 5,388 12.56 +2.41
Turnout 42,906 79.31
Conservative hold Swing +1.20
General election 1951: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Rolf Dudley-Williams 23,218 50.80 −2.72
Labour Edward Bishop 18,576 40.65 −5.83
Liberal Ellen E Tinkham 3,908 8.55 New
Majority 4,642 10.15 +3.11
Turnout 45,702 84.13
Conservative hold Swing +1.56
General election 1950: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Maude 24,339 53.52
Labour Tom Horabin 21,135 46.48
Majority 3,204 7.04
Turnout 45,474 86.00
Conservative hold Swing

Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Maude 16,420 43.34 −17.44
Labour Reginald J Travess 15,245 40.24 +1.02
Liberal Freda Evelyn Griffith Morgan 6,220 16.42 New
Majority 1,175 3.10
Turnout 37,885 74.46
Conservative hold Swing

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;

  • Conservative: Arthur Reed
  • Labour: William Robert Robins[37]
  • Liberal: Henry Gebhardt
  • British Union: Rafe Temple Cotton
General election 1935: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Reed 21,192 60.78 +5.59
Labour John Stafford Cripps 13,674 39.22 +17.65
Majority 7,518 21.56
Turnout 34,866 75.86
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Exeter
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Reed 20,360 55.19 +32.49
Liberal Eleanor Acland 8,571 23.23 New
Labour James Viner Delahaye 7,958 21.57 −6.23
Majority 11,789 31.96
Turnout 36,889 84.77
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Exeter[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Ind. Unionist Robert Newman 16,642 49.5 −8.0
Labour J. Lloyd Jones 9,361 27.8 +2.6
Unionist Geoffrey Dorling Roberts 7,622 22.7 −34.8
Majority 7,281 21.7 N/A
Turnout 33,625 81.9 −0.2
Ind. Unionist gain from Unionist Swing N/A
General election 1924: Exeter[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Robert Newman 14,522 57.5 −10.2
Labour A J Penny 6,359 25.2 −7.1
Liberal Thomas Fairchild Day 4,359 17.3 New
Majority 8,163 32.3 −3.1
Turnout 25,240 82.1 +9.5
Unionist hold Swing −1.5
General election 1923: Exeter [38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Robert Newman 14,908 67.7 +11.0
Labour Lothian Small 7,123 32.3 New
Majority 7,785 35.4 +22.0
Turnout 22,031 72.6 −13.0
Unionist hold Swing N/A
Leonard Costello
General election 1922: Exeter[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Robert Newman 14,326 56.7 −2.0
Liberal Leonard Costello 10,920 43.3 +2.0
Majority 3,406 13.4 −4.0
Turnout 25,246 85.6 +17.4
Unionist hold Swing −2.0

Election results 1885–1918

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1885: Exeter [39][40][41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Northcote 3,315 51.9 −10.9
Liberal Edward Johnson 3,074 48.1 +10.9
Majority 241 3.8 N/A
Turnout 6,389 91.8 +15.3 (est)
Registered electors 6,963
Conservative win (new seat)
General election 1886: Exeter [39][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Northcote 3,222 52.8 +0.9
Liberal Edward Johnson 2,879 47.2 −0.9
Majority 343 5.6 +1.8
Turnout 6,101 87.6 −4.2
Registered electors 6,963
Conservative hold Swing +0.9

Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Exeter [39][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Northcote 3,884 53.8 +1.0
Liberal Albert Dunn 3,329 46.2 −1.0
Majority 555 7.6 +2.0
Turnout 7,213 90.5 +2.9
Registered electors 7,972
Conservative hold Swing +1.0
General election 1895: Exeter [39][40][42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Northcote 3,857 53.4 −0.4
Liberal Adam Spencer Hogg 3,363 46.6 +0.4
Majority 494 6.8 −0.8
Turnout 7,220 88.1 −2.4
Registered electors 8,198
Conservative hold Swing −0.4
1899 Exeter by-election[39][40][42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edgar Vincent 4,030 54.5 +1.1
Liberal Allan Bright 3,371 45.5 −1.1
Majority 659 9.0 +2.2
Turnout 7,401 86.1 +2.0
Registered electors 8,595
Conservative hold Swing +0.7

Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Exeter [39][40][42]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edgar Vincent 4,001 54.1 +0.7
Liberal Allan Bright 3,388 45.9 −0.7
Majority 613 8.2 +1.4
Turnout 7,389 84.9 −3.2
Registered electors 8,708
Conservative hold Swing +0.7
Kekewich
General election 1906: Exeter [39][40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal George Kekewich 4,469 50.5 +4.6
Conservative Edgar Vincent 4,384 49.5 −4.6
Majority 85 1.0 N/A
Turnout 8,853 92.5 +7.6
Registered electors 9,567
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +4.6

Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Exeter [39][43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Duke 4,902 50.1 +0.6
Liberal Harold St. Maur 4,876 49.9 −0.6
Majority 26 0.2 N/A
Turnout 9,778 94.2 +1.7
Registered electors 10,383
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +0.6
St Maur
General election December 1910: Exeter[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Duke 4,777 50.0 −0.1
Liberal Harold St. Maur 4,776 50.0 +0.1
Majority 1 0.0 −0.2
Turnout 9,553 92.0 −2.2
Registered electors 10,383
Conservative hold Swing −0.1

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 July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;

  • Unionist: Henry Duke
  • Liberal:

Duke is appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, prompting a by-election.

By-election, 1916 Exeter[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Henry Duke Unopposed
Unionist hold

Duke is appointed Lord Justice of Appeal and resigns, prompting a by-election.

By-election, 1918 Exeter[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Robert Newman Unopposed
Unionist hold
General election 1918: Exeter[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Robert Newman 12,524 58.7 +8.7
Liberal Leonard Costello 8,806 41.3 −8.7
Majority 3,718 17.4 +17.4
Turnout 21,330 68.2 −23.8
Unionist hold Swing +8.7
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Election results 1868–1880

Elections in the 1860s

General election 1865: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Courtenay Unopposed
Liberal John Coleridge Unopposed
Registered electors 3,088
Conservative hold
Liberal hold
General election 1868: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Coleridge 2,317 25.8 N/A
Liberal Edgar Alfred Bowring 2,247 25.0 N/A
Conservative John Burgess Karslake 2,218 24.7 N/A
Conservative Arthur Mills 2,206 24.5 N/A
Majority 29 0.3 N/A
Turnout 4,494 (est) 73.0 (est) N/A
Registered electors 6,156
Liberal hold Swing
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing

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

By-election, 21 December 1868: Exeter (1 seat)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Coleridge Unopposed
Liberal hold

Elections in the 1870s

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

By-election, 11 Dec 1873: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Mills 2,346 53.7 +4.5
Liberal Edward Watkin[45] 2,025 46.3 −4.5
Majority 321 7.4 N/A
Turnout 4,371 70.4 −2.6
Registered electors 6,206
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +4.5
General election 1874: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Mills 2,523 27.5 +3.0
Conservative John George Johnson 2,330 25.4 +0.7
Liberal Edgar Alfred Bowring 2,264 24.7 −0.3
Liberal Edward Johnson 2,053 22.4 −3.4
Majority 66 0.7 N/A
Turnout 4,585 (est) 72.4 (est) −0.6
Registered electors 6,337
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +1.7
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing +2.1

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Edward Johnson 3,038 37.2 −9.9
Conservative Henry Northcote 2,590 31.7 +6.3
Conservative Arthur Mills 2,545 31.1 +3.6
Majority 493 6.1 N/A
Turnout 5,628 (est) 76.5 (est) +4.1
Registered electors 7,361
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +5.6
Conservative hold Swing +4.0

Election results 1832–1868

Elections in the 1830s

General election 1832: Exeter (2 seats)[44][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig James Wentworth Buller 1,615 43.4 −1.4
Radical Edward Divett 1,121 30.1 +7.5
Tory William Webb Follett 985 26.5 −6.1
Turnout 2,055 69.6 c. −0.4
Registered electors 2,952
Majority 494 13.3 +1.1
Whig hold Swing +2.2
Majority 136 3.6 N/A
Radical gain from Tory Swing +5.3
General election 1835: Exeter (2 seats)[44][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Webb Follett 1,425 39.3 +12.8
Radical Edward Divett 1,176 32.4 +2.3
Whig James Wentworth Buller 1,029 28.3 −15.1
Turnout 2,242 69.2 −0.4
Registered electors 3,239
Majority 249 6.9 N/A
Conservative gain from Whig Swing +10.2
Majority 147 4.1 +0.5
Radical hold Swing +4.9
General election 1837: Exeter (2 seats)[44][14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative William Webb Follett Unopposed
Radical Edward Divett Unopposed
Registered electors 3,488
Conservative hold
Radical hold

Elections in the 1840s

General election 1841: Exeter (2 seats)[44][14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Webb Follett 1,302 36.0 N/A
Radical Edward Divett 1,192 33.0 N/A
Conservative Algernon Percy 1,119 31.0 N/A
Turnout 2,302 62.2 N/A
Registered electors 3,698
Majority 110 3.0 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Majority 73 2.0 N/A
Radical hold Swing N/A

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

By-election, 13 September 1841: Exeter[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Webb Follett Unopposed
Conservative hold

Follett was appointed Attorney General for England and Wales, requiring a by-election.

By-election, 20 April 1844: Exeter[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Webb Follett 1,293 71.0 +4.0
Whig John Briggs[46] 529 29.0 −4.0
Majority 764 42.0 +39.0
Turnout 1,822 48.9 −13.3
Registered electors 3,728
Conservative hold Swing +4.0

Follett's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 7 July 1845: Exeter[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Duckworth 1,258 68.1 +1.1
Whig John Briggs 588 31.9 −1.1
Majority 670 36.2 +33.2
Turnout 1,846 49.5 −12.7
Registered electors 3,728
Conservative hold Swing +1.1
General election 1847: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Duckworth Unopposed
Radical Edward Divett Unopposed
Registered electors 3,798
Conservative hold
Radical hold

Elections in the 1850s

General election 1852: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Duckworth 1,210 34.5 N/A
Radical Edward Divett 1,191 33.9 N/A
Conservative George Buck[47] 1,111 31.6 N/A
Turnout 2,352 (est) 94.0 (est) N/A
Registered electors 2,501
Majority 19 0.6 N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Majority 80 2.3 N/A
Radical hold Swing N/A
General election 1857: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Gard Unopposed
Radical Edward Divett Unopposed
Registered electors 3,162
Conservative hold
Radical hold
General election 1859: Exeter (2 seats)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Gard Unopposed
Liberal Edward Divett Unopposed
Registered electors 3,216
Conservative hold
Liberal hold

Elections in the 1860s

Divett's death caused a by-election.

By-election, 4 August 1864: Exeter (1 seat)[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Courtenay 1,096 50.6 N/A
Liberal John Coleridge 1,070 49.4 N/A
Majority 26 1.2 N/A
Turnout 2,166 84.5 N/A
Registered electors 2,564
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing N/A

Elections before 1832

General election 1831: Exeter (2 seats)[14][48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Whig James Wentworth Buller 753 44.8
Tory Lewis William Buck 548 32.6
Radical Edward Divett 379 22.6
Turnout 910 c. 70.0
Registered electors c. 1,300
Majority 205 12.2
Whig hold
Majority 169 10.0
Tory hold
General election 1830: Exeter (2 seats)[14][48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Tory Lewis William Buck Unopposed
Whig James Wentworth Buller Unopposed
Tory hold
Whig gain from Tory

See also

  • List of parliamentary constituencies in Devon

Notes

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

References

  1. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – South West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Where do HE students study?". Higher Education Statistics Agency. Students by HE provider: HE student enrolments by HE provider. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Exeter commuters". Exeter City Council. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
  4. ^ "Constituency data: Deprivation in England". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  5. ^ a b c "Seat Details - Exeter". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  6. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 7 South West region.
  7. ^ "Final recommendations for Parliamentary constituencies in the counties of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay". Boundary Commission for England. 24 November 2004. Archived from the original on 2 November 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
  8. ^ "Parliamentary constituency of Exmouth and East Exeter proposed". BBC News. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d "PRESCOTT, John (c.1327–1412), of Prescott, Rake and Exeter, Devon". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  13. ^ a b c Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "E" (part 2)
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844–1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 69–70. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  15. ^ Churton, Edward (1836). The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1836. p. 72. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  16. ^ Dod, Charles Roger; Dod, Robert Phipps (1847). Dod's Parliamentary Companion, Volume 15. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. p. 156. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
  17. ^ a b At the December 1910 election, Harold St Maur was declared the winner by 4 votes, and the same majority was recorded after a recount. However, an electoral petition was decided on April 11, 1911, at which Henry Duke was declared the winner by 1 vote ( "Exeter Election Petition— Sensational Finish: Liberals Lose the Seat by a Majority of One", Staffordshire Sentinel, April 11, 1977, p. 1)
  18. ^ "Election Notices – Exeter City Council" (PDF). Exeter City Council. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  19. ^ "Exeter - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  20. ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  21. ^ Street, John (14 November 2019). "Statement of persons nominated and notice of poll" (PDF). Exeter City Council. Acting Returning Officer.
  22. ^ "Exeter parliamentary constituency – Election 2019". BBC News. BBC. 13 December 2019.
  23. ^ "2017 general election candidates in Devon". Devon Live. 11 May 2017. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  24. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  26. ^ Bostock, Philip (20 April 2010). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF). Acting Returning Officer, Exeter City Council. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  27. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Election Data 2001". 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. ^ "Exeter: Constituency". The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  31. ^ Morgan, Bryn (29 March 2001). "General Election results, 1 May 1997" (PDF). Social & General Statistics Section, House of Commons Library. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
  32. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  33. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  34. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  35. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  36. ^ The Returning Officer gave Dunwoody 22,189 when announcing the result on the night. This was broadcast on the BBC election Night coverage
  37. ^ Report of the Annual Conference of the Labour Party, 1939
  38. ^ a b c d e Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  39. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig
  40. ^ a b c d e f g The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  41. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
  42. ^ a b c Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
  43. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
  45. ^ "Exeter Representation". Western Times. 10 November 1873. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 29 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  46. ^ "Derbyshire Courier". 20 April 1844. p. 2. Retrieved 5 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  47. ^ "Exeter Election". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 10 July 1852. pp. 4, 7. Retrieved 7 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  48. ^ a b Jenkins, Terry. "Exeter". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 13 April 2020.

50°43′19″N 3°32′02″W / 50.722°N 3.534°W / 50.722; -3.534

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