Exeter (UK Parliament constituency)

Exeter is a constituency composed of the cathedral city and county town of Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. The constituency has had a history of representatives from 1900 of Conservative, Liberal Party, Independent and Labour representation.

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 move into the new constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East.

History
The constituency has been held by Labour since 1997.

The Labour Party currently has a majority of over 10,000, suggesting this is a safe seat for the party.

Constituency profile
The constituency covers the majority of the city, including the University and the Met Office which are significant employers. , median gross weekly in pay for full-time workers is below the figure for Great Britain as a whole but above that for South West England. Median hourly pay, however, is below that for both the region and for Great Britain. There are a large number of students for a small city.

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.

The constituency covers most of the city of Exeter in Devon. It covered the entire city from 1918 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.

2024-present : Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the 2024 general election, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):


 * The City of Exeter wards of: Alphington; Duryard & St. James; Exwick; Heavitree; Mincinglake & Whipton; Newtown & St. Leonard’s; Pennsylvania; Priory; St. David’s; St. Thomas.

After adjustments to align with revised ward boundaries, the Pinhoe, St Loyes and Topsham wards were transferred to the new constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East, in order to bring the electorate within the permitted range.

MPs 1660–1885
Two members

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
 * Liberal: Henry Gebhardt
 * British Union: Rafe Temple Cotton

Elections in the 1910s


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.

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

Elections in the 1860s
Coleridge was appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales, requiring a by-election.

Elections in the 1870s
Coleridge resigned after being appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas

Elections in the 1840s
Follett was appointed Solicitor General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.

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

Follett's death caused a by-election.

Elections in the 1860s
Divett's death caused a by-election.