Cambridge (UK Parliament constituency)

Cambridge is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Daniel Zeichner of the Labour Party.

Centred on the university city of Cambridge, it is one of the country's oldest continuously constituted constituencies. It was created in 1295 and returned two Members of Parliament (MPs) and was represented in the House of Commons of England until 1707, then in the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and then in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. From 1885 onwards, the seat has elected one MP.

It was held by the Conservatives from 1967 to 1992, since when it has been represented alternately by both Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

In the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, the constituency voted 73.8% to remain.

Constituency profile
The current constituency covers the majority of the city of Cambridge, including the areas of Arbury (which contains some social housing), Chesterton, Newnham, Cherry Hinton and the village of Trumpington; but the city's Queen Edith's ward (which includes Addenbrooke's Hospital and Homerton College) is in the neighbouring South Cambridgeshire constituency.

Residents are healthier and wealthier than the UK average.

Overview of results before 1992
Cambridge returned two Members to Parliament from 1295 until 1885, using the bloc vote system. These were generally townsmen who were involved in local government, with at least sixty mayors of Cambridge having served as MP by 1621. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 representation was reduced to one member, using the first-past-the-post system, with effect from the 1885 general election.

From 1910 to 1992, Cambridge was won by the Conservatives, save for 1945 to 1950 and 1966 to 1968, when it was Labour-held with small majorities.

Historically, the city of Cambridge retained some electors, and was often the source of MPs to a second constituency, for Cambridge University, covering all successful alumni in its electorate. The university seat was created in 1603 as part of the scheme of University constituencies. Its MPs included Isaac Newton, William Pitt the Younger, Lord Palmerston, George Stokes, Richard Jebb, and Archibald Hill before abolition in 1950.
 * Related extra representation 1603–1950

Overview of results since 1992
In 1992, Cambridge was won by Labour's Anne Campbell, who held onto the seat for 13 years (three Parliamentary terms). In 2005, it was taken by David Howarth of the Liberal Democrats, the first time the party (including its two forerunner parties) had taken the seat since the 1906 Liberal-progressive landslide; his successor, Julian Huppert, held the seat with an increased majority in the 2010 general election. In 2015, Huppert was unseated by the Labour candidate, Daniel Zeichner, who took the seat with a thin majority of 599 votes. The 2015 result gave the seat the 7th-smallest majority of Labour's 232 seats by percentage of majority. Zeichner went on to hold the seat at the 2017 and 2019 elections with comfortable majorities.

In 2015, three other parties candidates kept their deposits, by winning more than 5% of the vote. In order of public preference, these candidates stood for the Conservatives, Green Party and UKIP, respectively.
 * Most recent results of other parties

Turnout at general elections has ranged between 86.48% in 1950 to 60.6% in 2001.
 * Turnout since 1918

1868–1918

 * The Borough of Cambridge, plus the village of Chesterton.

1918–1950

 * The Borough of Cambridge.

Under the Representation of the People Act 1918, the boundaries were expanded to align with those of the Municipal Borough, incorporating further parts of the former Urban District of Chesterton to the north, and the parish of Cambridge Without to the south.

1950–1983

 * The Borough of Cambridge, but with redrawn boundaries.

Under the Representation of the People Act 1948, the boundaries were further expanded for the 1950 general election.

1983–2010

 * The City of Cambridge wards of Abbey, Arbury, Castle, Cherry Hinton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, King's Hedges, Market, Newnham, Petersfield, Romsey, and West Chesterton.

The Queen Edith's and Trumpington wards were included in South West Cambridgeshire (South Cambridgeshire from 1997).

2010–2024

 * The City of Cambridge wards of Abbey, Arbury, Castle, Cherry Hinton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, King's Hedges, Market, Newnham, Petersfield, Romsey, Trumpington, and West Chesterton.

Trumpington ward returned from South Cambridgeshire.

2024–present
Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency was reduced in size with the transfer of the Cherry Hinton ward to South Cambridgeshire.

Members of Parliament

 * Constituency created (1295)

Performance of political parties in graphical format
This table shows parties' election performance in this seat in graphical format. Cells are shaded by party. The percentage share of the vote that each party gained is indicated by the number in each cell and is also proportional to the height of each cell. The winning party in each election is indicated by a percentage score in bold and by a shaded cell (corresponding to that party's colour) above the header row.

Elections in the 1860s
 Election of William Forsyth declared void on petition, due to his holding an office of profit under the Crown. 

 Resignation of Andrew Steuart. 

Elections in the 1850s
 Previous election declared void on petition, due to bribery and treating. 

Elections in the 1840s
 By-election triggered by the appointment of Fitzroy Kelly as Solicitor-General of England and Wales 

' By-election triggered by the resignation of Sir Alexander Cray Grant, Bt. by accepting the office of Steward of the Manor of Poynings '

 Previous by-election declared void on petition due to bribery and treating by Manners-Sutton's agents. 

Elections in the 1830s
 ' By-election triggered by the elevation to the peerage of Thomas Spring Rice as Lord Monteagle of Brandon. ' 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of Thomas Spring Rice as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of Thomas Spring Rice as Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. 

Elections in the 1820s
 By-election triggered by the death of Charles Madryl Cheere. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of the Marquess of Graham as Commander of the Board of Control. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of Frederick William Trench as Storekeeper of Ordnance. 

Elections in the 1810s
 By-election triggered by the resignation of the Hon. Edward Finch. 

Elections in the 1800s
 By-election triggered by the appointment of Robert Manners as First Equerry and Clerk Marshal of the Mews. 

Elections in the 1790s
 By-election triggered by the simultaneous election of Francis Dickins for Northamptonshire, and his decision to sit for that constituency instead of Cambridge. 

Elections in the 1780s
 By-election triggered by the appointment of John Mortlock to office. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of James Whorwood Adeane to office. 

Elections in the 1770s
 By-election triggered by the elevation to the peerage of Charles Sloane Cadogan. 

Elections in the 1760s
 By-election triggered by the appointment of Charles Sloane Cadogan to office. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of Charles Sloane Cadogan to office. 

Elections in the 1750s
 By-election triggered by the succession to the peerage of Thomas Bromley. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin, to office. 

 By-election triggered by the appointment of Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin, to office. 

 By-election triggered by the succession to the peerage Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin.