Folkestone and Hythe (UK Parliament constituency)

Folkestone and Hythe (/ˈfkstən ...ˈhð/) is a constituency[n 1] in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Damian Collins, a Conservative.[n 2]

Folkestone and Hythe
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Folkestone and Hythe in Kent
Outline map
Location of Kent within England
CountyKent
Electorate84,156 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsFolkestone and Hythe
Current constituency
Created1950
Member of ParliamentDamian Collins (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromAshford, Canterbury and Hythe

Since its creation in 1950, Folkestone and Hythe has elected a Conservative MP at every general election; it is therefore regarded as a Conservative safe seat.

Constituency profile edit

Folkestone and Hythe consists of a hilly swathe of East Kent including the coastal urban area of Folkestone and Hythe. The rural communities of New Romney, Lydd, Dymchurch, Lyminge and Elham contain significant farming communities, commuters to towns and business parks, including a small percentage to London and a large retired population.[2]

Boundaries edit

 
Map of current boundaries

1950–1983: The Boroughs of Folkestone, Hythe, Lydd, and New Romney, and the Rural Districts of Elham and Romney Marsh.

1983–2010: The District of Shepway.

2010–present: The District of Shepway (the District of Folkestone and Hythe from 2018), and the Borough of Ashford ward of Saxon Shore.

Proposed edit

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the next general election, due by January 2025, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The District of Folkestone and Hythe wards of: Broadmead; Cheriton; East Folkestone; Folkestone Central; Folkestone Harbour; Hythe; Hythe Rural; New Romney; Romney Marsh; Sandgate & West Folkestone; Walland & Denge Marsh.[3]

The electorate will be reduced to bring it within the permitted range by transferring out the North Downs area in the north, along with the parts in the Borough of Ashford, primarily to the reconfigured constituency of Ashford.

Members of Parliament edit

The current Member of Parliament is Damian Collins of the Conservative Party who was elected at the 2010 general election. Collins' predecessor for the seat was Michael Howard (served 1983–2010). Howard held a number of political posts during his career in Parliament, most prominently as Home Secretary from 1993 to 1997 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2003 to 2005.

Election Member[4] Party
1950 Harry Mackeson Conservative
1959 Sir Albert Costain Conservative
1983 Michael Howard Conservative
2010 Damian Collins Conservative

Elections edit

Elections in the 2020s edit

Next general election: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Green Marianne Brett[5]
Reform UK William Wright[6]
Majority
Turnout

Elections in the 2010s edit

General election 2019: Folkestone and Hythe [7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Collins 35,483 60.1 +5.4
Labour Laura Davison 14,146 24.0 -4.5
Liberal Democrats Simon Bishop 5,755 9.8 +2.6
Green Georgina Treloar 2,706 4.6 +0.4
Independent Henry Bolton 576 1.0 New
SDP Colin Menniss 190 0.3 New
Young People's Rohen Kapur 80 0.1 New
Socialist (GB) Andy Thomas 69 0.1 New
Majority 21,337 36.1 +9.9
Turnout 59,005 66.8 -1.6
Conservative hold Swing +5.0
General election 2017: Folkestone and Hythe[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Collins 32,197 54.7 +6.8
Labour Laura Davison 16,786 28.5 +14.1
Liberal Democrats Lynne Beaumont 4,222 7.2 −1.7
UKIP Stephen Priestley 2,565 4.4 −18.4
Green Martin Whybrow 2,498 4.2 −1.2
Independent David Plumstead 493 0.8 New
Independent Naomi Slade 114 0.2 New
Majority 15,411 26.2 +1.1
Turnout 58,875 68.4 +2.6
Conservative hold Swing -3.7
General election 2015: Folkestone and Hythe[9][10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Collins 26,323 47.9 −1.5
UKIP Harriet Yeo[11] 12,526 22.8 +18.2
Labour Claire Jeffrey[12] 7,939 14.4 +3.6
Liberal Democrats Lynne Beaumont[13] 4,882 8.9 −21.4
Green Martin Whybrow[14] 2,956 5.4 +4.2
TUSC Seth Cruse 244 0.4 New
Young People's Rohen Kapur[15] 72 0.1 New
Socialist (GB) Andy Thomas [16] 68 0.1 New
Majority 13,797 25.1 +6.0
Turnout 55,010 65.8 −1.9
Conservative hold Swing −9.9
General election 2010: Folkestone and Hythe[17][18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Collins 26,109 49.4 −4.5
Liberal Democrats Lynne Beaumont 15,987 30.3 +0.7
Labour Donald Worsley 5,719 10.8 −1.8
UKIP Frank McKenna 2,439 4.6 +3.3
BNP Harry Williams 1,662 3.1 New
Green Penny Kemp 637 1.2 −0.3
Independent David Plumstead 247 0.5 +0.5
Majority 10,122 19.1 -4.9
Turnout 52,800 67.7 −1.0
Conservative hold Swing −2.6

Elections in the 2000s edit

General election 2005: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Howard 26,161 53.9 +8.9
Liberal Democrats Peter Carroll 14,481 29.9 −2.2
Labour Maureen Tomison 6,053 12.5 −7.7
Green Hazel Dawe 688 1.4 New
UKIP Petrina Holdsworth 619 1.3 −1.3
Monster Raving Loony Lord Toby Jug 175 0.4 New
Get Britain Back Rodney Hylton-Potts 153 0.3 New
Senior Citizens Grahame Leon-Smith 151 0.3 New
Peace and Progress Sylvia Dunn 22 0.0 New
Majority 11,680 24.0 +11.1
Turnout 48,503 68.4 +4.3
Conservative hold Swing +5.6
General election 2001: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Howard 20,645 45.0 +6.0
Liberal Democrats Peter Carroll 14,738 32.1 +5.2
Labour Albert Catterall 9,260 20.2 −4.7
UKIP John Baker 1,212 2.6 +1.9
Majority 5,907 12.9 +0.8
Turnout 45,855 64.1 −8.6
Conservative hold Swing −0.4

Elections in the 1990s edit

General election 1997: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Howard 20,313 39.0 −13.3
Liberal Democrats David Laws 13,981 26.9 −8.4
Labour Peter Doherty 12,939 24.9 +12.8
Referendum John Aspinall 4,188 8.0 New
UKIP John Baker 378 0.7 New
Socialist Alternative Eric Segal 182 0.4 New
Country Field and Shooting Sports Raymond Saint 69 0.1 New
Majority 6,332 12.1 −4.9
Turnout 52,050 72.7 −6.9
Conservative hold Swing −2.5
General election 1992: Folkestone and Hythe[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Howard 27,437 52.3 −3.1
Liberal Democrats Linda W. Cufley 18,527 35.3 −2.0
Labour Peter Doherty 6,347 12.1 +4.7
Natural Law Anthony Hobbs 123 0.2 New
Majority 8,910 17.0 −1.1
Turnout 52,434 79.6 +1.3
Conservative hold Swing −0.6

Elections in the 1980s edit

General election 1987: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Howard 27,915 55.4 -1.5
Liberal John MacDonald 18,789 37.3 +4.7
Labour Vidya Anand 3,720 7.4 -2.4
Majority 9,126 18.1 -6.2
Turnout 50,424 78.3 +8.7
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1983: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Howard 27,261 56.9 +1.2
Liberal John MacDonald 15,591 32.6 +10.1
Labour Leslie Lawrie 4,700 9.8 -11.0
Independent Philip Todd 318 0.7 New
Majority 11,670 24.3 -8.9
Turnout 47,870 69.6 -3.0
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s edit

General election 1979: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 26,837 55.74
Liberal Bernard Budd 10,817 22.47
Labour GJ Priestman 10,015 20.8
National Front M Lavine 478 0.99 New
Majority 16,020 33.2 +14.6
Turnout 48,147 72.6 +2.6
Conservative hold Swing +7.3
General election October 1974: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 20,930 46.18
Liberal Bernard Budd 12,488 27.55
Labour MJS Butler 11,639 25.68
Independent Harold W. Button 265 0.58 New
Majority 8,442 18.63
Turnout 45,322 70.03
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 23,400 47.08
Liberal Bernard Budd 14,890 29.96 New
Labour MJS Butler 11,412 22.96
Majority 8,510 17.12
Turnout 49,702 77.31
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 27,031 64.33
Labour Nicholas A Hyman 13,772 32.77
Independent Harold W Button 1,219 2.90 New
Majority 13,259 31.56
Turnout 42,022 68.81
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s edit

General election 1966: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 22,964 59.51
Labour John Horam 15,562 40.39
Majority 7,402 19.22
Turnout 38,526 70.60
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 23,587 62.23
Labour Michael J. Stewart 14,314 37.77
Majority 9,273 24.46
Turnout 37,901 70.99
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s edit

General election 1959: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Costain 21,726 56.54
Labour W Edgar Simpkins 9,346 24.32
Liberal Robert D Emerson 7,351 19.13 New
Majority 12,380 32.22
Turnout 38,423 76.41
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Harry Mackeson 23,851 64.99
Labour Leslie Leonard Reeves 12,849 35.01
Majority 11,002 29.98
Turnout 36,700 72.83
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Harry Mackeson 25,792 64.87
Labour I Rhys Jones 13,968 35.13
Majority 11,824 29.74
Turnout 39,760 78.95
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Folkestone and Hythe
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Harry Mackeson 23,767 58.22
Labour Moss Murray 13,885 34.02
Liberal Ray Ward Bateson 3,168 7.76
Majority 9,882 24.20
Turnout 40,820 83.24
Conservative win (new seat)

See also edit

Notes edit

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

References edit

  1. ^ "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.
  2. ^ "Local statistics - Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk.
  3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
  4. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "F"
  5. ^ "Marianne Brett selected as Greens' General Election candidate in Folkestone & Hythe". Shepway Green Party. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  6. ^ "Folkestone and Hythe Constituency". Reform UK. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. ^ "General Election 2017 Candidates for Folkestone and Hythe". Kent Online. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  9. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  10. ^ "Tories holds Folkestone and Hythe, with Ukip second". Kent Online. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  11. ^ "Harriet Yeo to stand as UKIP candidate". folkestone-status.
  12. ^ "Claire Jeffrey Labour Candidate". Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 – via YouTube.
  13. ^ "Lynne Beaumont". Folkestone and Hythe Liberal Democrats.
  14. ^ "Martin Edward Whybrow for Folkestone and Hythe in the 2017 General Election". Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club.
  15. ^ Hillman, Nick (14 March 2015). "What do the 'Young People's Party' promise students?". HEPI. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
  16. ^ "General Election - Campaign News" (Press release). The Socialist Party of Great Britain. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.
  17. ^ Election result, 2010 (UKPollingReport)
  18. ^ Election result, 2010 (BBC)
  19. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.

Sources edit


Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Constituency represented by the leader of the opposition
2003–2005
Succeeded by


51°6′N 1°5′E / 51.100°N 1.083°E / 51.100; 1.083