East Hertfordshire (UK Parliament constituency)

East Hertfordshire was a parliamentary constituency in the county of Hertfordshire from 1955 to 1983. It returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

East Hertfordshire
Former Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
East Hertfordshire in Hertfordshire, showing boundaries used from 1974-1983
19551983
Seatsone
Created fromHertford
Replaced byBroxbourne, Hertford & Stortford and Stevenage[1]

History edit

The constituency was created for the 1955 general election, formed primarily from the majority of the Hertford constituency which was significantly revised. It was abolished for the 1983 general election when it was largely divided between the new constituencies of Broxbourne, and Hertford and Stortford.

Throughout its existence the seat was held for the Conservatives by Sir Derek Walker-Smith.

The writer and TV playwright Dennis Potter was the Labour Party candidate in the constituency at the 1964 general election, but finished second behind the Conservative incumbent. His experience inspired Vote, Vote, Vote for Nigel Barton.

Boundaries and boundary changes edit

1955-1974 edit

The bulk of the constituency was formed from the majority of the Hertford constituency which was significantly revised. A part of the Rural District of Braughing was transferred from Hitchin.

1974-1983 edit

The Urban District of Ware was transferred to the new constituency of Hertford and Stevenage.

On abolition, southern parts (consisting the majority of the electorate), largely comprising the former Urban Districts of Cheshunt and Hoddesdon (combined to form the District of Broxbourne under the local government reorganisation of 1974) formed the bulk of the new borough constituency of Broxbourne. With the exception of some rural parts in the north-west of the constituency, which were included in the new constituency of Stevenage, the remainder of the seat (including Bishop's Stortford and Sawbridgeworth) was amalgamated with the Hertford and Ware part of Hertford and Stevenage to form the new Hertford and Stortford constituency.

Members of Parliament edit

Election Member Party
1955 Sir Derek Walker-Smith Conservative
1983 constituency abolished: see Hertford and Stortford & Broxbourne

Elections edit

Elections in the 1950s edit

General election 1955: East Hertfordshire[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 26,936 56.88
Labour Co-op William Hilton 20,418 43.12
Majority 6,518 13.76
Turnout 47,354 79.11
Conservative win (new seat)
General election 1959: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 28,201 51.39
Labour Syd Bidwell 18,020 32.84
Liberal Kenneth John Whitehead Spargo 8,656 15.77 New
Majority 10,181 18.55
Turnout 54,877 82.01
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s edit

General election 1964: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 29,749 48.20
Labour Dennis Potter 21,887 35.46
Liberal Eric W Morgan 10,088 16.34
Majority 7,862 12.74
Turnout 61,724 81.02
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1966: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 29,618 46.62
Labour Brian CS Murphy 24,412 38.43
Liberal Eric W Morgan 9,501 14.95
Majority 5,206 8.19
Turnout 63,531 80.09
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s edit

General election 1970: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 37,668 54.74
Labour Mike Thomas 23,601 34.30
Liberal David Walsh 7,538 10.96
Majority 14,067 20.44
Turnout 68,807 73.51
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 32,032 44.96
Labour MM Keir 20,674 29.02
Liberal PC Clark 18,546 26.03
Majority 11,358 15.94
Turnout 71,252 80.98
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 29,334 44.59
Labour MM Keir 20,999 31.92
Liberal PC Clark 15,446 23.48
Majority 8,335 12.67
Turnout 65,779 74.04
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1979: East Hertfordshire
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Derek Walker-Smith 41,599 55.50
Labour Co-op I. J. Evans 20,139 26.87
Liberal Lesley Abdela 11,393 15.20
National Front J. Smith 1,819 2.43 New
Majority 21,460 28.63
Turnout 74,950 77.81
Conservative hold Swing

References edit

  1. ^ "'Hertfordshire East', Feb 1974 - May 1983". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  2. ^ a b S., Craig, Fred W. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885-1972;. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN 0900178094. OCLC 539011.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1955.