Lincoln (UK Parliament constituency)

Lincoln is a constituency^{[n 1]} represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Karl McCartney, a Conservative.^{[n 2]}

With the splitting of the City of York constituency at the 2010 general election, Lincoln became the oldest constituency in continuous existence in the United Kingdom, having been established in 1265.

Boundaries

The constituency, as its name suggests, covers the cathedral city^{[n 3]} of Lincoln in Lincolnshire, and most of its directly adjoining villages.

History

Lincoln first sent Members to Parliament in 1265, thirty years before the first all-over coverage of cities and qualifying towns was introduced in the Model Parliament, and has done so ever since, although no records exist from before the end of the 13th century. The early elections were held at the Guildhall and the burgesses elected were usually officials of the borough.

The representation, originally two Members ("burgesses"), was reduced to one Member in 1885.

The seat was represented for five years by the future Cabinet minister Margaret Jackson, later Margaret Beckett.^{[n 4]} Lincoln became the oldest constituency in the country in 2010 when the City of York constituency was divided.

Constituency profile

The seat includes the University of Lincoln. From 1945 to 1972 Lincoln was continuously held by the Labour Party, often as a safe seat. The city has good transport links with Nottingham, Hull and the smaller ancient market towns in Lincolnshire, such as Spalding, Market Rasen and Boston. Lincoln has been a bellwether constituency since October 1974, having voted for the winning party in each election since that time.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1265–1660

MPs 1660–1885

MPs 1885–present

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Election in the 1940s

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 from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

• Conservative: Sir Walter Sydney Liddall
• Labour: George Deer
• Liberal:
• British Union: E. H. Adams

Elections in the 1930s

Elections in the 1920s

Elections in the 1910s

Roberts

*endorsed by 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 the July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;

• Liberal: Charles Henry Roberts
• Unionist: J. Foster

Roberts

• supported Free Trade

Elections in the 1900s

• supported Free Trade

See also

• List of Parliamentary constituencies in Lincolnshire

Notes

References

Sources

• Guardian Unlimited Politics (Election results from 1992 to the present)
• http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/ (Election results from 1951 to the present)
• Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1977]. British parliamentary election results 1832–1885 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 187. ISBN 0-900178-26-4. 
• Craig, F. W. S. (1989) [1974]. British parliamentary election results 1885–1918 (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 137. ISBN 0-900178-27-2. 
• Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 172. ISBN 0-900178-06-X. 

Coordinates: 53°14′N 0°32′W / 53.23°N 0.54°W / 53.23; -0.54