Horsham (UK Parliament constituency)

Horsham is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament, centred on the eponymous town in West Sussex, its former rural district and part of another rural district. Its Member of Parliament (MP) was Francis Maude between 1997 and 2015; followed by Jeremy Quin, both of the Conservative Party, until 2024 when the seat was won from the Conservative MP Quin by John Milne of the Liberal Democrats, making it the first time since 1876 that a non-Conservative Party candidate won the seat.

Boundaries
1885–1918: The Sessional Divisions of Horsham, Midhurst, Petworth, the civil parish of Crawley.

1945–1950: The Urban Districts of Horsham, Shoreham-by-Sea, Southwick, the Rural Districts of Chanctonbury and Horsham.

1950–1974: The Urban District of Horsham, the Rural Districts of Horsham, Midhurst, Petworth.

1983–1997: The District of Horsham.

1997–2010: The District of Horsham wards of Billingshurst, Broadbridge Heath, Cowfold, Denne, Forest, Holbrook, Itchingfield and Shipley, Nuthurst, Riverside, Roffey North, Rudgwick, Rusper, Slinfold, Southwater, Trafalgar, Warnham, the District of Mid Sussex wards of Balcombe, Copthorne and Worth, Crawley Down, Slaugham, Turners Hill, the District of Chichester wards of Plaistow and Wisborough Green.

2010–2024: The District of Horsham wards of Billingshurst and Shipley, Broadbridge Heath, Denne, Forest, Holbrook East, Holbrook West, Horsham Park, Itchingfield, Slinfold and Warnham, Nuthurst, Roffey North, Roffey South, Rudgwick, Rusper and Colgate, Southwater, and Trafalgar, and the District of Mid Sussex wards of Ardingly and Balcombe, Copthorne and Worth, and Crawley Down and Turners Hill.

2024–present: The District of Horsham wards of: Billingshurst; Broadbridge Heath; Colgate & Rusper; Cowfold, Shermanbury & West Grinstead; Denne; Forest; Holbrook East; Holbrook West; Itchingfield, Slinfold & Warnham; Nuthurst & Lower Beeding; Roffey North; Roffey South; Rudgwick; Southwater North; Southwater South & Shipley; Trafalgar.

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, changes to the constituency (starting from the 2024 general election) described as:

The electorate fell to bring it within the permitted range by: transferring rural wards to the east and south of Crawley to the newly created constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield; and the Cowfold, Shermanbury & West Grinstead ward arrived from Arundel and South Downs.

History
Horsham has existed as a constituency for three distinct periods. It first sent members to Parliament in 1295. However, the constituency was abolished in 1918 to make way for Horsham and Worthing. In 1945 the constituency was recreated, until 1974 when Horsham and Crawley was created. In 1983 the constituency of Horsham was again created and has existed since.

The constituency (including its brief larger versions under other names) was held by members of the Conservative Party from 1880 to 2024, when it was taken by the Liberal Democrats in the July 4th General Election.

MPs 1660–1832

 * Representation reduced to one (1832)

Elections in the 1990s
This constituency underwent boundary changes between the 1992 and 1997 general elections and thus change in share of vote is based on a notional calculation.

Elections in the 1880s

 * Caused by Aubrey-Fletcher's appointment as a Groom in Waiting.

Elections in the 1870s

 * Caused by the by-election being declared void on petition.


 * Caused by Vesey-FitzGerald's appointment as Chief Charity Commissioner for England and Wales.

Elections in the 1860s

 * Both candidates received the same number of votes, and both were declared elected, with petitions lodged against both. However, on 3 May 1869, Aldridge withdrew his claim to the seat allowing Hurst to be the sole MP.

Elections in the 1840s

 * Held due to the 1847 general election result being declared void on petition, due to treating, on 23 March 1848. After a further petition arising from the by-election, Vesey-Fitzgerald was declared unduly elected, due to bribery and treating by both him and his agents, and Fitzalan-Howard was declared elected on 8 September 1848.


 * Caused by Scarlett's succession to the peerage, becoming 2nd Baron Abinger