Jump to content

Ashford (UK Parliament constituency): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°06′N 0°48′E / 51.1°N 0.8°E / 51.1; 0.8
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Units/dates/other using AWB
→‎External links: new section
 
(331 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885 onwards}}
{{UK constituency infobox|
{{EngvarB|date=June 2016}}
|Name = Ashford
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}}
|Map1 = Ashford
{{Infobox UK constituency main
|Map2 = Kent
|Entity = Kent
|name = Ashford
|Type = County
|parliament = uk
|Year = 1885
|year = 1885
|Entity = Kent
|abolished =
|County = Kent
|type = County
|previous = [[West Kent (UK Parliament constituency)|West Kent]]
|EP = South East England
|next =
|MP = [[Damian Green]]
|towns = [[Tenterden]] and [[Ashford, Kent|Ashford]]
|Party = [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
| population = 112,940 (2011 census)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=6507709&c=&d=27&e=62&g=6430187&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1422104706393&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2473|title=Usual Resident Population, 2011|website=Neighbourhood Statistics|publisher=Office for National Statistics|access-date=26 January 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105919/http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/dissemination/LeadTableView.do?a=7&b=6507709&c=&d=27&e=62&g=6430187&i=1001x1003x1032x1004&o=362&m=0&r=1&s=1422104706393&enc=1&dsFamilyId=2473|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
|electorate = 85,177 (December 2015)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.boundarycommissionforengland.org.uk/electoral-figures/electoral-figures.htm
|title=Electorate Figures – Boundary Commission for England
|date=4 March 2011
|work=2011 Electorate Figures
|publisher=Boundary Commission for England
|access-date=13 March 2011
|url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101106204053/http://www.boundarycommissionforengland.org.uk/electoral-figures/electoral-figures.htm
|archive-date=6 November 2010
|df=dmy
}}</ref>
|mp =
|party =
|region = England
|county = Kent
|european = South East England
|elects_howmany = One
|image2=[[File:South East England - Ashford constituency.svg|215px|alt=Map of constituency]]|caption2=Boundary of Ashford in South East England}}


'''Ashford''' is a [[United Kingdom constituencies|parliamentary constituency]] represented in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]]. It elects one [[Member of Parliament]] (MP) by the [[first past the post]] voting system.
'''Ashford''' is a [[Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom|constituency]]{{#tag:ref|A [[county constituency]] (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)|group= n}} in [[Kent]] created in 1885 and represented in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] of the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]].{{#tag:ref|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.|group= n}}


==Constituency profile==
It is a strongly Conservative seat.
The constituency includes all of Ashford, which is seeing significant housing expansion<ref>UK Polling Report http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/ashford/</ref> and has a manufacturing and services employment base; and surrounding rural areas including Tenterden and [[Wye, Kent|Wye]]. Residents' health and wealth are in line with UK averages.<ref>Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Ashford</ref> Due to population growth in Ashford itself, the [[2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|2023 boundary review]] proposes that Tenterden is removed from the Ashford constituency.


==Boundaries==
==Boundaries==
{{maplink|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Ashford (UK Parliament constituency) 2010}}|frame=yes|text=Map of boundaries 2010-2024}}
Ashford constituency has the same boundaries as [[Ashford (borough)]]. It comprises the rapidly expanding town of [[Ashford, Kent|Ashford]] together with the smaller town of [[Tenterden]] and 35 villages.
Ashford constituency contains the large town of [[Ashford, Kent|Ashford]] which has [[Ashford International railway station]], and smaller towns, villages, towns or town suburbs which are organised communities into [[civil parishes in England|civil parishes]]. Ashford town centre, its north and its west are the only [[unparished area]]s.<ref>[http://neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk 2011 Census] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030211201309/http://www.neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk/ |date=11 February 2003 }} Custom tables: administrative parish hierarchy. Retrieved 17 July 2013</ref>


'''1885–1918''': The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Sessional Divisions of Ashford and Cranbrook, the corporate towns of Lydd and New Romney, and part of the Liberty of Romney Marsh.
===Boundary review===
Following their review of parliamentary representation in [[Kent]], the [[Boundary Commission for England]] made major changes to the existing constituencies as a consequence of population expansion across the county.


'''1918–1950''': The Municipal Boroughs of Lydd, New Romney, and Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of Cranbrook, East Ashford, Romney Marsh, Tenterden, and West Ashford.
The electoral wards used in the modified Ashford constituency are entirely within the borough of Ashford;

*Aylesford Green, Beaver, Biddenden, Bockhanger, Boughton Aluph and Eastwell, Bybrook, Charing, Downs North, Downs West, [[Godinton]], Great Chart with Singleton North, Highfield, [[Isle of Oxney]], [[Kennington, Kent|Kennington]], Little Burton Farm, Norman, North [[Willesborough]], Park Farm North, Park Farm South, Rolvenden and [[Tenterden]] West, St Michaels, Singleton South, South [[Willesborough]], Stanhope, Stour, Tenterden North, Tenterden South, Victoria, Washford, Weald Central, Weald East, Weald North, Weald South and Wye
'''1950–1974''': The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of Cranbrook, East Ashford, Tenterden, and West Ashford.

'''1974–1983''': The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of East Ashford, Tenterden, and West Ashford. ''Cranbrook Rural District was transferred to the new Royal Tunbridge Wells constituency.''

'''1983–2010''': The Borough of Ashford. ''The constituency boundaries remained unchanged from 1974.''

'''2010–2024''': The Borough of Ashford wards of Aylesford Green, Beaver, Biddenden, Bockhanger, Boughton Aluph and Eastwell, Bybrook, Charing, Downs North, Downs West, Godinton, Great Chart with Singleton North, Highfield, Isle of Oxney, Kennington, Little Burton Farm, Norman, North Willesborough, Park Farm North, Park Farm South, Rolvenden and Tenterden West, St Michael's, Singleton South, South Willesborough, Stanhope, Stour, Tenterden North, Tenterden South, Victoria, Washford, Weald Central, Weald East, Weald North, Weald South, and Wye.

'''2024–present''':
{{maplink|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Ashford (UK Parliament constituency)}}|frame=yes|text=Map of boundaries from 2024}}
Following the [[2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies]], enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, first contested at the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]], the constituency is composed of the following electoral wards (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

* The Borough of Ashford wards of: Aylesford & East Stour; Beaver; Bircholt; Bockhanger; Bybrook; Conningbrook & Little Burton Farm; Furley; Goat Lees; Godinton; Highfield; Kennington; Mersham, Sevington South with Finberry; Norman; Park Farm North; Park Farm South; Repton; Roman; Singleton East; Singleton West; Stanhope; Victoria; Washford; Willesborough; Wye with Hinxhill.
* The District of Folkestone and Hythe wards of: North Downs East; North Downs West.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1230/schedules/made |at=Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region}}</ref>

''The bulk of the geographic area of the constituency, including the town of [[Tenterden]], and comprising approximately 35% of the current electorate''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK? |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/boundary-review-2023-which-seats-will-change/}}</ref> ''was moved to the newly created constituency of [[Weald of Kent (UK Parliament constituency)|Weald of Kent]]. To partly compensate, the two [[North Downs]] wards were transferred from [[Folkestone and Hythe (UK Parliament constituency)|Folkestone and Hythe]].''

==Political history==
Created under the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]], Ashford has been won by a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] at every election except that of 1929 when it was won by a [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]], after that party's turn towards the left marked by the [[People's Budget]] in 1911, who won with a majority of less than 1% of the vote.

The most marginal victory since 1929 occurred in 1997 when its voters returned a [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] who won by a 9.7% majority. The 2015 result made the seat the 106th safest of the Conservative Party's 331 seats by percentage of majority.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ukpolitical.info/conservative-mps-elected-2015.htm |title=Conservative Members of Parliament 2015 |website=UK Political.info |access-date=2017-02-12 |archive-date=2017-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608170823/http://www.ukpolitical.info/conservative-mps-elected-2015.htm |url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2016, an estimated [[Results of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum#List of constituency results|60% of local adults voting in the EU membership referendum]] chose to leave the European Union instead of to remain. This was matched in two January 2018 votes in Parliament by its MP.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10241/damian_green/ashford/divisions?policy=1065 |title = Damian Green MP, Ashford - TheyWorkForYou}}</ref>


==Members of Parliament==
==Members of Parliament==
*''Constituency created'' (1885)
* ''Constituency created'' (1885)
{| class="wikitable"
{{AshfordMPs}}
|-
!colspan="2"|Election!!Member<ref>{{Rayment-hc|a|3|date=March 2012}}</ref>!!Party
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| [[1885 United Kingdom general election|1885]]
| [[William Pomfret]]
| rowspan="2"|[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| [[1892 United Kingdom general election|1892]]
| [[Laurence Hardy]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Coalition Conservative}}" |
| [[1918 United Kingdom general election|1918]]
| [[Samuel Strang Steel]]
| [[Coalition Conservative]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1929 United Kingdom general election|1929]]
| [[Roderick Kedward (politician)|Rev Roderick Kedward]]
| [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1931 United Kingdom general election|1931]]
| [[Michael Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne|Michael Knatchbull]]
| rowspan="6"|[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1933 Ashford by-election|1933 by-election]]
| [[Patrick Spens, 1st Baron Spens|Patrick Spens]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1943 Ashford by-election|1943 by-election]]
| [[Edward Percy Smith]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950]]
| [[Bill Deedes]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]
| [[Keith Speed]]
|-
| style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]
| [[Damian Green]]
|}

== Elections ==
[[File:Ashford Results 1900-2019.png|thumb|300px]]


=== Elections in the 2020s ===
== Election results ==
{{Election box begin|title=[[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]]: Ashford<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-council/register-to-vote-and-elections/general-election-2024/ashford-parliamentary-constituency/ashford-statement-of-persons-nominated-and-notice-of-poll/|title=Ashford Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll|website=Ashford Borough Council|language=en-gb|access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>
{{Election box begin |
|title=[[United Kingdom general election, 2005|General Election 2005]]: Ashford
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 26,651
|votes =
|percentage = 51.6
|percentage =
|change = +4.2
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Valerie Whitaker
|candidate = Sojan Joseph
|votes = 13,353
|votes =
|percentage = 25.8
|percentage =
|change = -6.3
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|party = Reform UK
|candidate = Chris Took
|candidate = Tristram Kennedy Harper
|votes = 8,308
|votes =
|percentage = 16.1
|percentage =
|change = +1.0
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|party = Consensus
|candidate = Richard Boden
|candidate = James Ransley
|votes = 1,753
|votes =
|percentage = 3.4
|percentage =
|change = +0.6
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = United Kingdom Independence Party
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Bernard Stroud
|candidate = Mandy Rossi
|votes = 1,620
|votes =
|percentage = 3.1
|percentage =
|change = +0.5
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box majority|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|votes = 13,298
|candidate = Adam Rowledge
|percentage = 25.7
|change =
|votes =
|percentage =
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box turnout|
{{Election box majority
|votes = 51,685
|votes =
|percentage = 65
|percentage =
|change = 2.5
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
{{Election box turnout
|votes =
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = +5.2
|percentage =
|change =
}}
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors =
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner =
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}


===Elections in the 2010s===
{{Election box begin|title=[[2019 United Kingdom general election|2019 general election]]: Ashford<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ashford.gov.uk/councillors-meetings-and-elections/elections-and-electoral-registration/elections/statement-of-persons-nominated-parliamentary-election-2019/|title=View the Statement or Persons Nominated as candidates for the Ashford constituency|website=Ashford Borough Council|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 37,270
|percentage = 62.1
|change = {{increase}} 3.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Dara Farrell
|votes = 13,241
|percentage = 22.0
|change = {{decrease}} 7.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Adrian Gee-Turner
|votes = 6,048
|percentage = 10.1
|change = {{increase}} 4.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Mandy Rossi
|votes = 2,638
|percentage = 4.4
|change = {{increase}} 2.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Independent (politician)
|candidate = Susannah De Sanvil
|votes = 862
|percentage = 1.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 24,029
|percentage = 40.1
|change = {{increase}} 10.9
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 60,059
|percentage = 67.1
|change = {{decrease}} 1.4
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 89,553
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 5.4
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box end}}


{{Election box begin | title=[[UK general election, 2001]]: Ashford}}
{{Election box begin |title=[[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 22,739
|votes = 35,318
|percentage = 59.0
|change = {{increase}} 6.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Sally Gathern
|votes = 17,840
|percentage = 29.8
|change = {{increase}} 11.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Adrian Gee-Turner
|votes = 3,101
|percentage = 5.2
|change = {{decrease}} 0.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = UK Independence Party
|candidate = Gerald O'Brien
|votes = 2,218
|percentage = 3.7
|change = {{decrease}} 15.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Mandy Rossi
|votes = 1,402
|percentage = 2.3
|change = {{decrease}} 2.0
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 17,478
|percentage = 29.2
|change = {{decrease}} 4.5
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 59,879
|percentage = 68.5
|change = {{increase}} 1.2
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 87,387
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{decrease}} 2.5
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=[[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015 general election]]: Ashford<ref name=electoralcalculus>{{cite web|title=Election Data 2015|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|publisher=[[Electoral Calculus]]|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|archive-date=17 October 2015}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 30,094
|percentage = 52.5
|change = {{decrease}} 1.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = UK Independence Party
|candidate = Gerald O'Brien
|votes = 10,798
|percentage = 18.8
|change = {{increase}} 14.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Brendan Chilton
|votes = 10,580
|percentage = 18.4
|change = {{increase}} 1.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Debbie Enever
|votes = 3,433
|percentage = 6.0
|change = {{decrease}} 16.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Mandy Rossi
|votes = 2,467
|percentage = 4.3
|change = {{increase}} 2.5
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 19,296
|percentage = 33.7
|change = {{increase}} 2.4
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 57,372
|percentage = 67.3
|change = {{decrease}} 0.6
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 85,177
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{decrease}} 8.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=[[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]]: Ashford<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ashford.gov.uk/pdf/Statement%20of%20Perons%20Nominated%20and%20Notice%20of%20poll.pdf|title=Ashford.gov.uk}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 29,878
|percentage = 54.1
|change = {{increase}} 2.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Chris Took
|votes = 12,581
|percentage = 22.8
|change = {{increase}} 7.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Chris Clark
|votes = 9,204
|percentage = 16.7
|change = {{decrease}} 9.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = UK Independence Party
|candidate = Jeffrey Elenor<ref>{{cite web |url=http://candidates.ukip.org/index.php?pg=show&eid=191 |title=UKIP: Ashford |publisher=UKIP |access-date=5 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413221210/http://candidates.ukip.org/index.php?pg=show&eid=191 |archive-date=13 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|votes = 2,508
|percentage = 4.5
|change = {{increase}} 1.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Steven Campkin
|votes = 1,014
|percentage = 1.8
|change = {{decrease}} 1.6
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 17,297
|percentage = 31.3
|change = {{increase}} 5.6
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 55,185
|percentage = 67.9
|change = {{increase}} 2.5
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 81,271
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 2.3
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 2000s===
{{Election box begin|title=[[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 26,651
|percentage = 51.6
|change = {{increase}} 4.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Valerie Whitaker
|votes = 13,353
|percentage = 25.8
|change = {{decrease}} 6.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Chris Took
|votes = 8,308
|percentage = 16.1
|change = {{increase}} 1.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Richard Boden
|votes = 1,753
|percentage = 3.4
|change = {{increase}} 0.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = UK Independence Party
|candidate = Bernard Stroud
|votes = 1,620
|percentage = 3.1
|change = {{increase}} 0.5
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 13,298
|percentage = 25.8
|change = {{increase}} 10.5
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 51,685
|percentage = 65.0
|change = {{increase}} 2.5
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 78,816
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 5.2
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 22,739
|percentage = 47.4
|percentage = 47.4
|change = +6.0
|change = {{increase}} 6.0
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = John Adams
|candidate = John Adams
|votes = 15,380
|votes = 15,380
|percentage = 32.1
|percentage = 32.1
|change = +0.4
|change = {{increase}} 0.4
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Kieth Fitchett
|candidate = Keith Fitchett
|votes = 7,236
|votes = 7,236
|percentage = 15.1
|percentage = 15.1
|change = -4.6
|change = {{decrease}} 4.6
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Richard Boden
|candidate = Richard Boden
|votes = 1,353
|votes = 1,353
|percentage = 2.8
|percentage = 2.8
|change = +1.6
|change = {{increase}} 1.6
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = United Kingdom Independence Party
|party = UK Independence Party
|candidate = David Waller
|candidate = David Waller
|votes = 1,229
|votes = 1,229
|percentage = 2.6
|percentage = 2.6
|change = ''N/A''
|change = ''New''
}}
}}
{{Election box majority|
{{Election box majority
|votes = 7,359
|votes = 7,359
|percentage = 15.3
|percentage = 15.3
|change =
|change = {{increase}} 5.6
}}
}}
{{Election box turnout|
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 47,937
|votes = 47,937
|percentage = 62.5
|percentage = 62.5
|change = -11.7
|change = {{decrease}} 11.7
}}
}}
{{Election box hold with party link|
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 76,699
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 3.2
}}
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box end}}

=== Elections in the 1990s ===
{{Election box begin|title= [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]]: Ashford<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/388.htm|title=Politics Resources|date=1 May 1997|work=Election 1997|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811185111/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/388.htm|archive-date=11 August 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies, p.120 (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Damian Green]]
|votes = 22,899
|percentage = 41.4
|change = {{decrease}} 13.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = John Ennals
|votes = 17,554
|percentage = 31.7
|change = {{increase}} 11.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = John Williams
|votes = 10,901
|percentage = 19.7
|change = {{decrease}} 4.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Referendum Party
|candidate = Christopher Cruden
|votes = 3,201
|percentage = 5.8
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Richard Boden
|votes = 660
|percentage = 1.2
|change = {{decrease}} 0.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Natural Law Party
|candidate = Stephen Tyrell
|votes = 89
|percentage = 0.2
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 5,345
|percentage = 9.7
|change = {{decrease}} 20.8
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 55,294
|percentage = 74.2
|change = {{decrease}} 5.0
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 74,512
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{decrease}} 12.5
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992 general election]]: Ashford<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm|title=Politics Resources|date=9 April 1992|work=Election 1992|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020412/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Keith Speed]]
|votes = 31,031
|percentage = 54.6
|change = {{decrease}} 1.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)
|candidate = Christine Headley
|votes = 13,672
|percentage = 24.1
|change = {{decrease}} 3.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Doreen Cameron
|votes = 11,365
|percentage = 20.0
|change = {{increase}} 5.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party of England and Wales
|candidate = Charles Porter
|votes = 773
|percentage = 1.4
|change = {{decrease}} 0.1
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 17,359
|percentage = 30.5
|change = {{increase}} 1.3
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 56,841
|percentage = 79.2
|change = {{increase}} 3.5
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 71,767
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 0.7
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== Elections in the 1980s ===
{{Election box begin|title=[[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Keith Speed]]
|votes = 29,978
|percentage = 56.5
|change = {{decrease}} 0.3
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Social Democratic Party (UK)
|candidate = Neil Macmillan
|votes = 14,490
|percentage = 27.3
|change = {{decrease}} 0.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Michael Wiggins
|votes = 7,775
|percentage = 14.7
|change = {{increase}} 1.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Green Party (UK)
|candidate = Charles Porter
|votes = 778
|percentage = 1.5
|change = {{increase}} 0.3
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 15,488
|percentage = 29.2
|change = {{increase}} 0.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 53,021
|percentage = 75.7
|change = {{increase}} 2.5
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 70,052
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Keith Speed]]
|votes = 27,230
|percentage = 56.8
|change = {{increase}} 1.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Social Democratic Party (UK)
|candidate = Jo Hawkes
|votes = 13,319
|percentage = 27.8
|change = {{increase}} 11.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Paul Lewis
|votes = 6,167
|percentage = 12.9
|change = {{decrease}} 13.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Ecology Party (UK)
|candidate = Charles Porter
|votes = 569
|percentage = 1.2
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box candidate
|party = [[National Labour Party (UK, 1981)|National Labour]]
|candidate = J.W. King
|votes = 456
|percentage = 0.9
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = British National Party
|candidate = R.E. Lockwood
|votes = 195
|percentage = 0.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 13,911
|percentage = 29.0
|change = 0.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 47,936
|percentage = 73.2
|change = {{decrease}} 3.5
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 65,442
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== Elections in the 1970s ===
{{Election box begin|title=[[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Keith Speed]]
|votes = 26,224
|percentage = 55.7
|change = {{increase}} 11.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = A.A. Gilbert
|votes = 12,586
|percentage = 26.7
|change = {{decrease}} 3.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Alison Wainman
|votes = 7,631
|percentage = 16.2
|change = {{decrease}} 9.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = National Front (UK)
|candidate = K.R. McKilliam
|votes = 678
|percentage = 1.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 13,638
|percentage = 29.0
|change = {{increase}} 15.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 47,119
|percentage = 76.7
|change = {{increase}} 2.2
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 61,460
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Keith Speed]]
|votes = 19,294
|percentage = 44.3
|change = {{decrease}} 1.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = M.B. Jackson
|votes = 13,269
|percentage = 30.5
|change = {{increase}} 4.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Clive G. Dennis
|votes = 10,983
|percentage = 25.2
|change = {{decrease}} 3.0
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 6,025
|percentage = 13.8
|change = {{decrease}} 4.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 43,546
|percentage = 74.5
|change = {{decrease}} 7.0
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 58,419
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 21,773
|percentage = 46.2
|change = {{decrease}} 6.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Clive G. Dennis
|votes = 13,314
|percentage = 28.2
|change = {{increase}} 11.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = M.B. Jackson
|votes = 12,077
|percentage = 25.6
|change = {{decrease}} 5.4
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 8,459
|percentage = 18.0
|change = {{decrease}} 8.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 47,164
|percentage = 81.5
|change = {{increase}} 9.0
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 57,875
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1970 United Kingdom general election|1970 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 26,649
|percentage = 54.8
|change = {{increase}} 4.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = John M. Bowyer
|votes = 14,037
|percentage = 28.9
|change = {{decrease}} 2.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Frederick Charles Truman
|votes = 7,902
|percentage = 16.3
|change = {{decrease}} 2.7
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 12,612
|percentage = 26.0
|change = {{increase}} 7.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 48,588
|percentage = 72.5
|change = {{decrease}} 2.9
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 66,975
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 3.5
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== Elections in the 1960s ===
{{Election box begin|title=[[1966 United Kingdom general election|1966 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 21,362
|percentage = 50.0
|change = {{increase}} 0.6
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Charles A. Thomas
|votes = 13,249
|percentage = 31.0
|change = {{increase}} 2.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Gavin W. Peck
|votes = 8,121
|percentage = 19.0
|change = {{decrease}} 3.4
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 8,113
|percentage = 19.0
|change = {{decrease}} 2.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 42,732
|percentage = 75.4
|change = {{decrease}} 2.1
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 56,669
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1964 United Kingdom general election|1964 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 21,026
|percentage = 49.4
|change = {{decrease}} 13.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Charles A. Thomas
|votes = 11,989
|percentage = 28.2
|change = {{decrease}} 8.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = J. Gavin W. Peck
|votes = 9,531
|percentage = 22.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 9,037
|percentage = 21.2
|change = {{decrease}} 4.6
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 42,546
|percentage = 77.5
|change = 0.0
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 54,879
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== Elections in the 1950s ===
{{Election box begin|title=[[1959 United Kingdom general election|1959 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 25,383
|percentage = 62.9
|change = {{increase}} 2.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Reginald Ward
|votes = 14,983
|percentage = 37.1
|change = {{decrease}} 2.4
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 10,400
|percentage = 25.8
|change = {{increase}} 4.9
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 40,366
|percentage = 77.5
|change = {{decrease}} 0.6
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 52,097
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1955 United Kingdom general election|1955 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 23,992
|percentage = 60.5
|change = {{increase}} 1.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Neville Sandelson]]
|votes = 15,685
|percentage = 39.5
|change = {{decrease}} 1.4
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 8,307
|percentage = 20.9
|change = {{increase}} 2.6
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 39,677
|percentage = 78.1
|change = {{decrease}} 3.8
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 50,821
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1951 United Kingdom general election|1951 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 24,093
|percentage = 59.1
|change = {{increase}} 7.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Neville Sandelson]]
|votes = 16,645
|percentage = 40.9
|change = {{increase}} 4.3
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 7,448
|percentage = 18.3
|change = {{increase}} 3.3
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 40,738
|percentage = 81.9
|change = {{decrease}} 2.2
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 49,715
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Bill Deedes]]
|votes = 21,095
|percentage = 51.6
|change = {{decrease}} 0.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Neville Sandelson]]
|votes = 14,948
|percentage = 36.6
|change = {{increase}} 1.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = H. Shirley
|votes = 4,828
|percentage = 11.8
|change = {{decrease}} 1,5
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 6,147
|percentage = 15.0
|change = {{decrease}} 2.2
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 40,871
|percentage = 84.1
|change = {{increase}} 12.8
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 48,607
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1940s===
{{Election box begin | title=[[1945 United Kingdom general election|1945 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Edward Percy Smith]]
|votes = 18,800
|percentage = 52.0
|change = {{decrease}} 7.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Horace Waterton Lee
|votes = 12,575
|percentage = 34.8
|change = {{increase}} 17.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Harold Vezey Strong
|votes = 4,804
|percentage = 13.3
|change = {{decrease}} 9.9
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 6,225
|percentage = 17.2
|change = {{decrease}} 18.8
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 36,179
|percentage = 71.3
|change = {{decrease}} 2.3
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 50,760
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[1943 Ashford by-election]]<ref>British Parliamentary Election Results 1918–1949, FWS Craig</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Edward Percy Smith]]
|votes = 9,648
|percentage = 69.7
|change = {{increase}} 10.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Common Wealth Party
|candidate = Catherine E. Williamson
|votes = 4,192
|percentage = 30.3
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 5,456
|percentage = 39.4
|change = {{increase}} 3.4
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 13,840
|percentage = 27.7
|change = {{decrease}} 45.9
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1930s===
{{Election box begin | title=[[1935 United Kingdom general election|14 November 1935 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Patrick Spens, 1st Baron Spens|Patrick Spens]]
|votes = 21,323
|percentage = 59.2
|change = {{increase}} 0.5
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = [[1942 Maldon by-election#Candidates|Borlase Matthews]]
|votes = 8,338
|percentage = 23.2
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = W.J. Beck
|votes = 6,333
|percentage = 17.6
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 12,985
|percentage = 36.0
|change = {{increase}} 18.6
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 35,994
|percentage = 73.6
|change = {{decrease}} 2.3
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 48,914
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[1933 Ashford by-election]]:
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Patrick Spens, 1st Baron Spens|Patrick Spens]]
|votes = 16,051
|percentage = 47.7
|change = {{decrease}} 11.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Roderick Kedward (politician)|Roderick Kedward]]
|votes = 11,423
|percentage = 33.9
|change = {{decrease}} 7.4
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = W.J. Beck
|votes = 6,178
|percentage = 18.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 4,628
|percentage = 13.8
|change = {{decrease}} 3.6
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 33,652
|percentage = 70.9
|change = {{decrease}} 5.0
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[1931 United Kingdom general election|27 October 1931 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Michael Knatchbull, 5th Baron Brabourne|Michael Knatchbull]]
|votes = 20,891
|percentage = 58.7
|change = {{increase}} 16.1
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = National Liberal Party (UK, 1931)
|candidate = [[Roderick Kedward (politician)|Roderick Kedward]]
|votes = 14,681
|percentage = 41.3
|change = {{decrease}} 4.7
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 6,210
|percentage = 17.4
|change = {{increase}} 14.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 35,572
|percentage = 75.9
|change = {{increase}} 0.6
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|loser = Liberal Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1920s===
{{Election box begin | title=[[1929 United Kingdom general election|30 May 1929 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Roderick Kedward (politician)|Roderick Kedward]]
|votes = 15,753
|percentage = 46.0
|change = {{increase}} 24.2
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Unionist Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Sir Samuel Strang Steel, 1st Baronet|Samuel Strang Steel]]
|votes = 14,579
|percentage = 42.6
|change = {{decrease}} 17.8
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Mont Follick]]
|votes = 3,885
|percentage = 11.4
|change = {{decrease}} 6.4
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 1,174
|percentage = 3.4
|change = {{decrease}} 42.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 34,217
|percentage = 75.3
|change = {{increase}} 4.9
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 45,445
}}
{{Election box gain with party link
|winner = Liberal Party (UK)
|loser = Unionist Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 21.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[1924 United Kingdom general election|29 October 1924 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Unionist Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Sir Samuel Strang Steel, 1st Baronet|Samuel Strang Steel]]
|votes = 15,159
|percentage = 60.4
|change = {{decrease}} 1.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Leonard John Humphrey
|votes = 5,487
|percentage = 21.8
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Basil Noble
|votes = 4,473
|percentage = 17.8
|change = {{decrease}} 20.1
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 9,672
|percentage = 38.6
|change = {{increase}} 14.4
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 25,119
|percentage = 70.4
|change = {{increase}} 12.6
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 35,659
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Unionist Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 9.2
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[1923 United Kingdom general election|6 December 1923 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Unionist Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Sir Samuel Strang Steel, 1st Baronet|Samuel Strang Steel]]
|votes = 12,644
|percentage = 62.1
|change = {{decrease}} 7.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Basil Noble
|votes = 7,709
|percentage = 37.9
|change = {{increase}} 7.0
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 4,935
|percentage = 24.2
|change = {{decrease}} 14.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 20,353
|percentage = 57.8
|change = {{decrease}} 6.4
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 35,223
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Unionist Party (UK)
|swing = {{increase}} 7.0
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=[[1922 United Kingdom general election|15 November 1922 general election]]: Ashford
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Unionist Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Sir Samuel Strang Steel, 1st Baronet|Samuel Strang Steel]]
|votes = 15,638
|percentage = 69.1
|change = {{decrease}} 11.9
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Labour Party (UK)
|candidate = Basil Noble
|votes = 6,977
|percentage = 30.9
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 8,661
|percentage = 38.2
|change = {{decrease}} 23.8
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 22,615
|percentage = 64.2
|change = {{increase}} 25.0
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 35,240
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Unionist Party (UK)
|swing = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1910s ===
{{Election box begin | title=[[1918 United Kingdom general election|14 December 1918 general election]]: Ashford<ref>Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1922</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link coalition 1918
|party = Unionist Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Sir Samuel Strang Steel, 1st Baronet|Samuel Strang Steel]]
|votes = 10,258
|percentage = 81.0
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box candidate
|party = Independent Democrat
|candidate = William H. Deedes
|votes = 2,408
|percentage = 19.0
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 7,850
|percentage = 62.0
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 12,666
|percentage = 39.2
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 32,349
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Unionist Party (UK)
|swing = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box end 1918}}

'''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''': [[Lawrence Hardy]]
*'''Liberal''': Arthur Frederick William Johnson<ref>Kent & Sussex Courier 27 Mar 1914</ref>

{{Election box begin|title=[[December 1910 United Kingdom general election|December 1910 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceD"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Laurence Hardy]]
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=[[January 1910 United Kingdom general election|January 1910 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceD">Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Laurence Hardy]]
|votes = 7,966
|percentage = 64.3
|change = {{increase}} 12.7
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = Reginald John Farrer
|votes = 4,422
|percentage = 35.7
|change = {{decrease}} 12.7
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 3,544
|percentage = 28.6
|change = {{increase}} 25.4
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 12,418
|percentage = 87.2
|change = {{increase}} 3.5
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing =
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1900s===
{{Election box begin| title=[[1906 United Kingdom general election|1906 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Laurence Hardy]]
|votes = 5,994
|percentage = 51.6
|change = {{decrease}} 20.0
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Percy Harris (politician)|Percy Harris]]
|votes = 5,614
|percentage = 48.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 380
|percentage = 3.2
|change = {{decrease}} 40.0
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 11,608
|percentage = 83.7
|change = {{increase}} 18.9
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 13,864
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=[[1900 United Kingdom general election|1900 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Laurence Hardy]]
|votes = 5,898
|percentage = 71.6
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box candidate
|party = Independent Protestant
|candidate = Benjamin Nicholson
|votes = 2,343
|percentage = 28.4
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 3,555
|percentage = 43.2
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 8,241
|percentage = 64.8
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 12,714
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1890s===
{{Election box begin| title=[[1895 United Kingdom general election|1895 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref name="ReferenceC">Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Laurence Hardy]]
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
}}
{{Election box end}}

[[File:Laurence Hardy.jpg|thumb|120px|Hardy]]
{{Election box begin| title=[[1892 United Kingdom general election|1892 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[Laurence Hardy]]
|votes = 5,512
|percentage = 56.3
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = John U Bugler
|votes = 4,281
|percentage = 43.7
|change = ''New''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 1,231
|percentage = 12.6
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 9,793
|percentage = 68.4
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 14,314
}}
{{Election box hold with party link
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Elections in the 1880s===
{{Election box begin| title=[[1886 United Kingdom general election|1886 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[William Pomfret]]
}}
{{Election box hold with party link no swing
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
}}
{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=[[1885 United Kingdom general election|1885 general election]]: Ashford <ref name="ReferenceA">British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">The Liberal Year Book, 1907</ref><ref>Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link
|party = Conservative Party (UK)
|candidate = [[William Pomfret]]
|votes = 6,020
|percentage = 55.2
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link
|party = Liberal Party (UK)
|candidate = George Crispe Whiteley
|votes = 4,895
|percentage = 44.8
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box majority
|votes = 1,125
|percentage = 10.4
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box turnout
|votes = 10,915
|percentage = 81.5
|change = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box registered electors
|reg. electors = 13,389
}}
{{Election box new seat win
|winner = Conservative Party (UK)
|swing = ''N/A''
}}
{{Election box end}}



==See also==
==See also==
*[[List of Parliamentary constituencies in Kent]]
* [[List of parliamentary constituencies in Kent]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=n}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
*{{cite book | author= | title=The Times House of Commons 1929, 1931, 1935 | publisher=Politico's (reprint) | year=2003 | editor=[[Iain Dale]] | id=ISBN 1-84275-033-X }}
*{{cite book | author= | title=The Times House of Commons 1945 | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | year=1945 | editor= | id= }}
*{{cite book | author= | title=The Times House of Commons 1950 | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | year=1950 | editor= | id= }}
*{{cite book | author= | title=The Times House of Commons 1955 | publisher=''[[The Times]]'' | year=1955 | editor= | id= }}


==Sources==
{{Constituencies in South East England}}
* ''British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918'', compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1974)
* {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1929, 1931, 1935 | publisher=Politico's (reprint) | year=2003 | editor=Iain Dale | editor-link=Iain Dale | isbn=1-84275-033-X }}
* {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1945 | work=[[The Times]] | year=1945 }}
* {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1950 | work=[[The Times]] | year=1950 }}
* {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1955 | work=[[The Times]] | year=1955 }}


==External links==
[[Category:Parliamentary constituencies in the South East]]
*[https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/65811.html Ashford UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at ''MapIt UK''
[[Category:United Kingdom Parliamentary constituencies established in 1885]]
*[https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/168752.html Ashford UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries from June 2024) at ''MapIt UK''
[[Category:Ashford, Kent|Parliament]]

[[Category:Politics of Kent]]
{{Ashford}}
{{Constituencies in South East England}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord |51.1|N|0.8|E|display=title|scale:200000}}


[[Category:Parliamentary constituencies in Kent]]
[[ar:أشفورد (دائرة انتخابية في المملكة المتحدة)]]
[[pl:Okręg wyborczy Ashford]]
[[Category:Borough of Ashford|Parliament]]
[[Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1885]]

Latest revision as of 14:10, 11 June 2024

Ashford
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Map of constituency
Boundary of Ashford in South East England
CountyKent
Population112,940 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate85,177 (December 2015)[2]
Major settlementsTenterden and Ashford
Current constituency
Created1885
Member of ParliamentNone
SeatsOne
Created fromWest Kent

Ashford is a constituency[n 1] in Kent created in 1885 and represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament.[n 2]

Constituency profile[edit]

The constituency includes all of Ashford, which is seeing significant housing expansion[3] and has a manufacturing and services employment base; and surrounding rural areas including Tenterden and Wye. Residents' health and wealth are in line with UK averages.[4] Due to population growth in Ashford itself, the 2023 boundary review proposes that Tenterden is removed from the Ashford constituency.

Boundaries[edit]

Map
Map of boundaries 2010-2024

Ashford constituency contains the large town of Ashford which has Ashford International railway station, and smaller towns, villages, towns or town suburbs which are organised communities into civil parishes. Ashford town centre, its north and its west are the only unparished areas.[5]

1885–1918: The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Sessional Divisions of Ashford and Cranbrook, the corporate towns of Lydd and New Romney, and part of the Liberty of Romney Marsh.

1918–1950: The Municipal Boroughs of Lydd, New Romney, and Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of Cranbrook, East Ashford, Romney Marsh, Tenterden, and West Ashford.

1950–1974: The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of Cranbrook, East Ashford, Tenterden, and West Ashford.

1974–1983: The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of East Ashford, Tenterden, and West Ashford. Cranbrook Rural District was transferred to the new Royal Tunbridge Wells constituency.

1983–2010: The Borough of Ashford. The constituency boundaries remained unchanged from 1974.

2010–2024: The Borough of Ashford wards of Aylesford Green, Beaver, Biddenden, Bockhanger, Boughton Aluph and Eastwell, Bybrook, Charing, Downs North, Downs West, Godinton, Great Chart with Singleton North, Highfield, Isle of Oxney, Kennington, Little Burton Farm, Norman, North Willesborough, Park Farm North, Park Farm South, Rolvenden and Tenterden West, St Michael's, Singleton South, South Willesborough, Stanhope, Stour, Tenterden North, Tenterden South, Victoria, Washford, Weald Central, Weald East, Weald North, Weald South, and Wye.

2024–present:

Map
Map of boundaries from 2024

Following the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, first contested at the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the constituency is composed of the following electoral wards (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The Borough of Ashford wards of: Aylesford & East Stour; Beaver; Bircholt; Bockhanger; Bybrook; Conningbrook & Little Burton Farm; Furley; Goat Lees; Godinton; Highfield; Kennington; Mersham, Sevington South with Finberry; Norman; Park Farm North; Park Farm South; Repton; Roman; Singleton East; Singleton West; Stanhope; Victoria; Washford; Willesborough; Wye with Hinxhill.
  • The District of Folkestone and Hythe wards of: North Downs East; North Downs West.[6]

The bulk of the geographic area of the constituency, including the town of Tenterden, and comprising approximately 35% of the current electorate[7] was moved to the newly created constituency of Weald of Kent. To partly compensate, the two North Downs wards were transferred from Folkestone and Hythe.

Political history[edit]

Created under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, Ashford has been won by a Conservative at every election except that of 1929 when it was won by a Liberal, after that party's turn towards the left marked by the People's Budget in 1911, who won with a majority of less than 1% of the vote.

The most marginal victory since 1929 occurred in 1997 when its voters returned a Conservative who won by a 9.7% majority. The 2015 result made the seat the 106th safest of the Conservative Party's 331 seats by percentage of majority.[8]

In June 2016, an estimated 60% of local adults voting in the EU membership referendum chose to leave the European Union instead of to remain. This was matched in two January 2018 votes in Parliament by its MP.[9]

Members of Parliament[edit]

  • Constituency created (1885)
Election Member[10] Party
1885 William Pomfret Conservative
1892 Laurence Hardy
1918 Samuel Strang Steel Coalition Conservative
1929 Rev Roderick Kedward Liberal
1931 Michael Knatchbull Conservative
1933 by-election Patrick Spens
1943 by-election Edward Percy Smith
1950 Bill Deedes
October 1974 Keith Speed
1997 Damian Green

Elections[edit]

Elections in the 2020s[edit]

2024 general election: Ashford[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green
Labour Sojan Joseph
Reform UK Tristram Kennedy Harper
Consensus James Ransley
Green Mandy Rossi
Liberal Democrats Adam Rowledge
Majority
Turnout
Registered electors
Swing

Elections in the 2010s[edit]

2019 general election: Ashford[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 37,270 62.1 Increase 3.1
Labour Dara Farrell 13,241 22.0 Decrease 7.8
Liberal Democrats Adrian Gee-Turner 6,048 10.1 Increase 4.9
Green Mandy Rossi 2,638 4.4 Increase 2.1
Independent Susannah De Sanvil 862 1.4 New
Majority 24,029 40.1 Increase 10.9
Turnout 60,059 67.1 Decrease 1.4
Registered electors 89,553
Conservative hold Swing Increase 5.4
2017 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 35,318 59.0 Increase 6.5
Labour Sally Gathern 17,840 29.8 Increase 11.4
Liberal Democrats Adrian Gee-Turner 3,101 5.2 Decrease 0.8
UKIP Gerald O'Brien 2,218 3.7 Decrease 15.1
Green Mandy Rossi 1,402 2.3 Decrease 2.0
Majority 17,478 29.2 Decrease 4.5
Turnout 59,879 68.5 Increase 1.2
Registered electors 87,387
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 2.5
2015 general election: Ashford[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 30,094 52.5 Decrease 1.6
UKIP Gerald O'Brien 10,798 18.8 Increase 14.3
Labour Brendan Chilton 10,580 18.4 Increase 1.7
Liberal Democrats Debbie Enever 3,433 6.0 Decrease 16.8
Green Mandy Rossi 2,467 4.3 Increase 2.5
Majority 19,296 33.7 Increase 2.4
Turnout 57,372 67.3 Decrease 0.6
Registered electors 85,177
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 8.0
2010 general election: Ashford[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 29,878 54.1 Increase 2.7
Liberal Democrats Chris Took 12,581 22.8 Increase 7.2
Labour Chris Clark 9,204 16.7 Decrease 9.7
UKIP Jeffrey Elenor[15] 2,508 4.5 Increase 1.4
Green Steven Campkin 1,014 1.8 Decrease 1.6
Majority 17,297 31.3 Increase 5.6
Turnout 55,185 67.9 Increase 2.5
Registered electors 81,271
Conservative hold Swing Increase 2.3

Elections in the 2000s[edit]

2005 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 26,651 51.6 Increase 4.2
Labour Valerie Whitaker 13,353 25.8 Decrease 6.3
Liberal Democrats Chris Took 8,308 16.1 Increase 1.0
Green Richard Boden 1,753 3.4 Increase 0.6
UKIP Bernard Stroud 1,620 3.1 Increase 0.5
Majority 13,298 25.8 Increase 10.5
Turnout 51,685 65.0 Increase 2.5
Registered electors 78,816
Conservative hold Swing Increase 5.2
2001 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 22,739 47.4 Increase 6.0
Labour John Adams 15,380 32.1 Increase 0.4
Liberal Democrats Keith Fitchett 7,236 15.1 Decrease 4.6
Green Richard Boden 1,353 2.8 Increase 1.6
UKIP David Waller 1,229 2.6 New
Majority 7,359 15.3 Increase 5.6
Turnout 47,937 62.5 Decrease 11.7
Registered electors 76,699
Conservative hold Swing Increase 3.2

Elections in the 1990s[edit]

1997 general election: Ashford[16][17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Damian Green 22,899 41.4 Decrease 13.2
Labour John Ennals 17,554 31.7 Increase 11.7
Liberal Democrats John Williams 10,901 19.7 Decrease 4.4
Referendum Christopher Cruden 3,201 5.8 New
Green Richard Boden 660 1.2 Decrease 0.2
Natural Law Stephen Tyrell 89 0.2 New
Majority 5,345 9.7 Decrease 20.8
Turnout 55,294 74.2 Decrease 5.0
Registered electors 74,512
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 12.5
1992 general election: Ashford[18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Keith Speed 31,031 54.6 Decrease 1.9
Liberal Democrats Christine Headley 13,672 24.1 Decrease 3.2
Labour Doreen Cameron 11,365 20.0 Increase 5.3
Green Charles Porter 773 1.4 Decrease 0.1
Majority 17,359 30.5 Increase 1.3
Turnout 56,841 79.2 Increase 3.5
Registered electors 71,767
Conservative hold Swing Increase 0.7

Elections in the 1980s[edit]

1987 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Keith Speed 29,978 56.5 Decrease 0.3
SDP Neil Macmillan 14,490 27.3 Decrease 0.5
Labour Michael Wiggins 7,775 14.7 Increase 1.8
Green Charles Porter 778 1.5 Increase 0.3
Majority 15,488 29.2 Increase 0.2
Turnout 53,021 75.7 Increase 2.5
Registered electors 70,052
Conservative hold Swing
1983 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Keith Speed 27,230 56.8 Increase 1.1
SDP Jo Hawkes 13,319 27.8 Increase 11.6
Labour Paul Lewis 6,167 12.9 Decrease 13.8
Ecology Charles Porter 569 1.2 New
National Labour J.W. King 456 0.9 New
BNP R.E. Lockwood 195 0.4 New
Majority 13,911 29.0 0.0
Turnout 47,936 73.2 Decrease 3.5
Registered electors 65,442
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s[edit]

1979 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Keith Speed 26,224 55.7 Increase 11.4
Labour A.A. Gilbert 12,586 26.7 Decrease 3.8
Liberal Alison Wainman 7,631 16.2 Decrease 9.0
National Front K.R. McKilliam 678 1.4 New
Majority 13,638 29.0 Increase 15.2
Turnout 47,119 76.7 Increase 2.2
Registered electors 61,460
Conservative hold Swing
October 1974 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Keith Speed 19,294 44.3 Decrease 1.9
Labour M.B. Jackson 13,269 30.5 Increase 4.9
Liberal Clive G. Dennis 10,983 25.2 Decrease 3.0
Majority 6,025 13.8 Decrease 4.2
Turnout 43,546 74.5 Decrease 7.0
Registered electors 58,419
Conservative hold Swing
February 1974 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 21,773 46.2 Decrease 6.4
Liberal Clive G. Dennis 13,314 28.2 Increase 11.9
Labour M.B. Jackson 12,077 25.6 Decrease 5.4
Majority 8,459 18.0 Decrease 8.0
Turnout 47,164 81.5 Increase 9.0
Registered electors 57,875
Conservative hold Swing
1970 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 26,649 54.8 Increase 4.8
Labour John M. Bowyer 14,037 28.9 Decrease 2.1
Liberal Frederick Charles Truman 7,902 16.3 Decrease 2.7
Majority 12,612 26.0 Increase 7.0
Turnout 48,588 72.5 Decrease 2.9
Registered electors 66,975
Conservative hold Swing Increase 3.5

Elections in the 1960s[edit]

1966 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 21,362 50.0 Increase 0.6
Labour Charles A. Thomas 13,249 31.0 Increase 2.8
Liberal J. Gavin W. Peck 8,121 19.0 Decrease 3.4
Majority 8,113 19.0 Decrease 2.2
Turnout 42,732 75.4 Decrease 2.1
Registered electors 56,669
Conservative hold Swing
1964 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 21,026 49.4 Decrease 13.5
Labour Charles A. Thomas 11,989 28.2 Decrease 8.9
Liberal J. Gavin W. Peck 9,531 22.4 New
Majority 9,037 21.2 Decrease 4.6
Turnout 42,546 77.5 0.0
Registered electors 54,879
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s[edit]

1959 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 25,383 62.9 Increase 2.4
Labour Reginald Ward 14,983 37.1 Decrease 2.4
Majority 10,400 25.8 Increase 4.9
Turnout 40,366 77.5 Decrease 0.6
Registered electors 52,097
Conservative hold Swing
1955 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 23,992 60.5 Increase 1.4
Labour Neville Sandelson 15,685 39.5 Decrease 1.4
Majority 8,307 20.9 Increase 2.6
Turnout 39,677 78.1 Decrease 3.8
Registered electors 50,821
Conservative hold Swing
1951 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 24,093 59.1 Increase 7.5
Labour Neville Sandelson 16,645 40.9 Increase 4.3
Majority 7,448 18.3 Increase 3.3
Turnout 40,738 81.9 Decrease 2.2
Registered electors 49,715
Conservative hold Swing
1950 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Bill Deedes 21,095 51.6 Decrease 0.4
Labour Neville Sandelson 14,948 36.6 Increase 1.8
Liberal H. Shirley 4,828 11.8 Decrease 1,5
Majority 6,147 15.0 Decrease 2.2
Turnout 40,871 84.1 Increase 12.8
Registered electors 48,607
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1940s[edit]

1945 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Percy Smith 18,800 52.0 Decrease 7.2
Labour Horace Waterton Lee 12,575 34.8 Increase 17.2
Liberal Harold Vezey Strong 4,804 13.3 Decrease 9.9
Majority 6,225 17.2 Decrease 18.8
Turnout 36,179 71.3 Decrease 2.3
Registered electors 50,760
Conservative hold Swing
1943 Ashford by-election[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Percy Smith 9,648 69.7 Increase 10.5
Common Wealth Catherine E. Williamson 4,192 30.3 New
Majority 5,456 39.4 Increase 3.4
Turnout 13,840 27.7 Decrease 45.9
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1930s[edit]

14 November 1935 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Patrick Spens 21,323 59.2 Increase 0.5
Liberal Borlase Matthews 8,338 23.2 New
Labour W.J. Beck 6,333 17.6 N/A
Majority 12,985 36.0 Increase 18.6
Turnout 35,994 73.6 Decrease 2.3
Registered electors 48,914
Conservative hold Swing
1933 Ashford by-election:
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Patrick Spens 16,051 47.7 Decrease 11.0
Liberal Roderick Kedward 11,423 33.9 Decrease 7.4
Labour W.J. Beck 6,178 18.4 New
Majority 4,628 13.8 Decrease 3.6
Turnout 33,652 70.9 Decrease 5.0
Conservative hold Swing
27 October 1931 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Michael Knatchbull 20,891 58.7 Increase 16.1
National Liberal Roderick Kedward 14,681 41.3 Decrease 4.7
Majority 6,210 17.4 Increase 14.0
Turnout 35,572 75.9 Increase 0.6
Conservative gain from Liberal Swing

Elections in the 1920s[edit]

30 May 1929 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Roderick Kedward 15,753 46.0 Increase 24.2
Unionist Samuel Strang Steel 14,579 42.6 Decrease 17.8
Labour Mont Follick 3,885 11.4 Decrease 6.4
Majority 1,174 3.4 Decrease 42.0
Turnout 34,217 75.3 Increase 4.9
Registered electors 45,445
Liberal gain from Unionist Swing Increase 21.0
29 October 1924 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Samuel Strang Steel 15,159 60.4 Decrease 1.7
Liberal Leonard John Humphrey 5,487 21.8 New
Labour Basil Noble 4,473 17.8 Decrease 20.1
Majority 9,672 38.6 Increase 14.4
Turnout 25,119 70.4 Increase 12.6
Registered electors 35,659
Unionist hold Swing Increase 9.2
6 December 1923 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Samuel Strang Steel 12,644 62.1 Decrease 7.0
Labour Basil Noble 7,709 37.9 Increase 7.0
Majority 4,935 24.2 Decrease 14.0
Turnout 20,353 57.8 Decrease 6.4
Registered electors 35,223
Unionist hold Swing Increase 7.0
15 November 1922 general election: Ashford
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Samuel Strang Steel 15,638 69.1 Decrease 11.9
Labour Basil Noble 6,977 30.9 New
Majority 8,661 38.2 Decrease 23.8
Turnout 22,615 64.2 Increase 25.0
Registered electors 35,240
Unionist hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1910s[edit]

14 December 1918 general election: Ashford[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
C Unionist Samuel Strang Steel 10,258 81.0 N/A
Independent Democrat William H. Deedes 2,408 19.0 New
Majority 7,850 62.0 N/A
Turnout 12,666 39.2 N/A
Registered electors 32,349
Unionist hold Swing N/A
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

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;

December 1910 general election: Ashford [22][23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laurence Hardy Unopposed
Conservative hold
January 1910 general election: Ashford [22][23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laurence Hardy 7,966 64.3 Increase 12.7
Liberal Reginald John Farrer 4,422 35.7 Decrease 12.7
Majority 3,544 28.6 Increase 25.4
Turnout 12,418 87.2 Increase 3.5
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1900s[edit]

1906 general election: Ashford [22][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laurence Hardy 5,994 51.6 Decrease 20.0
Liberal Percy Harris 5,614 48.4 New
Majority 380 3.2 Decrease 40.0
Turnout 11,608 83.7 Increase 18.9
Registered electors 13,864
Conservative hold Swing N/A
1900 general election: Ashford [22][24][25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laurence Hardy 5,898 71.6 N/A
Independent Protestant Benjamin Nicholson 2,343 28.4 New
Majority 3,555 43.2 N/A
Turnout 8,241 64.8 N/A
Registered electors 12,714
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1890s[edit]

1895 general election: Ashford [22][24][25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laurence Hardy Unopposed
Conservative hold
Hardy
1892 general election: Ashford [22][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Laurence Hardy 5,512 56.3 N/A
Liberal John U Bugler 4,281 43.7 New
Majority 1,231 12.6 N/A
Turnout 9,793 68.4 N/A
Registered electors 14,314
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1880s[edit]

1886 general election: Ashford [22][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Pomfret Unopposed
Conservative hold
1885 general election: Ashford [22][24][26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Pomfret 6,020 55.2 N/A
Liberal George Crispe Whiteley 4,895 44.8 N/A
Majority 1,125 10.4 N/A
Turnout 10,915 81.5 N/A
Registered electors 13,389
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. ^ "Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  2. ^ "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.
  3. ^ UK Polling Report http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/ashford/
  4. ^ Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Ashford
  5. ^ 2011 Census Archived 11 February 2003 at the Wayback Machine Custom tables: administrative parish hierarchy. Retrieved 17 July 2013
  6. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
  7. ^ "Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK?".
  8. ^ "Conservative Members of Parliament 2015". UK Political.info. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  9. ^ "Damian Green MP, Ashford - TheyWorkForYou".
  10. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 3)
  11. ^ "Ashford Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll". Ashford Borough Council. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  12. ^ "View the Statement or Persons Nominated as candidates for the Ashford constituency". Ashford Borough Council. Retrieved 14 November 2019.
  13. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Ashford.gov.uk" (PDF).
  15. ^ "UKIP: Ashford". UKIP. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  16. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1997. Politics Resources. 1 May 1997. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
  17. ^ C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies, p.120 (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)
  18. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  19. ^ British Parliamentary Election Results 1918–1949, FWS Craig
  20. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1922
  21. ^ Kent & Sussex Courier 27 Mar 1914
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig
  23. ^ a b Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
  24. ^ a b c d e f The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  25. ^ a b Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
  26. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886

Sources[edit]

  • British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1974)
  • Iain Dale, ed. (2003). The Times House of Commons 1929, 1931, 1935. Politico's (reprint). ISBN 1-84275-033-X.
  • The Times House of Commons 1945. 1945. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  • The Times House of Commons 1950. 1950. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  • The Times House of Commons 1955. 1955. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)

External links[edit]

51°06′N 0°48′E / 51.1°N 0.8°E / 51.1; 0.8

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ashford_(UK_Parliament_constituency)&oldid=1228487268"