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South Leicestershire (UK Parliament constituency)

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South Leicestershire is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Alberto Costa, a member of the Conservative Party.

South Leicestershire
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Map
Boundaries since 2024
Map of constituency
Boundary of South Leicestershire in the East Midlands
CountyLeicestershire
Electorate75,634 (2023)[1]
Major settlementsLutterworth, Whetstone, Narborough and Blaby
Current constituency
Created2010
Member of ParliamentAlberto Costa (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromBlaby, Harborough
1832–1885
SeatsTwo
Created fromLeicestershire
Replaced byBosworth, Harborough

The current constituency has similar boundaries to the previous Blaby constituency. Historically the "Southern Division of Leicestershire", was a county constituency, less formally known as South Leicestershire. From 1832 to 1885 it elected two Members of Parliament (MPs) by the bloc vote system of election.

Boundaries

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Historic

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1832–1885: The Hundreds of Gartree (excluding the parishes of Baggrave, Burrough, Knossington, Marefield, Pickwell-cum-Leesthorpe, Ouston, and Newbold-Saucey), Sparkenhoe and Guthlaxton, and the Borough of Leicester and the Liberties thereof.[2]

2010-2024

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Following its review of parliamentary representation in Leicestershire, the Boundary Commission for England recommended replacing the Blaby constituency with a new South Leicestershire seat, with some boundary changes. This change occurred for the 2010 general election.

The electoral wards used to create the new constituency were;

  • Broughton Astley-Astley, Broughton Astley-Broughton, Broughton Astley-Primethorpe, Broughton Astley-Sutton, Dunton, Lutterworth Brookfield, Lutterworth Orchard, Lutterworth Springs, Lutterworth Swift, Misterton, Peatling, and Ullesthorpe in the Harborough District
  • Blaby South, Cosby with South Whetstone, Countesthorpe, Croft Hill, Enderby and St John's, Millfield, Narborough and Littlethorpe, Normanton, North Whetstone, Pastures, Ravenhurst and Fosse, Saxondale, Stanton and Flamville, and Winstanley in the Blaby District[3]

Current

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Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency was defined as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The District of Blaby wards of: Blaby South; Cosby with South Whetstone; Countesthorpe; Croft Hill; Enderby and St. John’s; Narborough and Littlethorpe; Normanton; North Whetstone; Pastures; Saxondale; Stanton and Flamville.
  • The District of Harborough wards of: Bosworth; Broughton Astley-Primethorpe & Sutton; Broughton Astley South & Leire; Dunton; Fleckney; Lutterworth East; Lutterworth West; Misterton; Ullesthorpe.[4]

The Blaby District wards of Millfield, Ravenhurst and Fosse, and Winstanley (comprising the community of Braunstone Town) were transferred to the new constituency of Mid Leicestershire; the Harborough District wards of Bosworth and Fleckney were transferred in from Harborough.

Following a local government boundary review in Blaby which came into effect in May 2023,[5][6] the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

  • The District of Blaby wards of: Blaby; Cosby & South Whetstone; Countesthorpe; Enderby; Fosse Highcross; Fosse Normanton; Fosse Stoney Cove; Glen Parva; Narborough & Littlethorpe; North Whetstone; and a small part of Leicester Forest & Lubbesthorpe.
  • The District of Harborough wards of: Bosworth; Broughton Astley-Primethorpe & Sutton; Broughton Astley South & Leire; Dunton; Fleckney; Lutterworth East; Lutterworth West; Misterton; Ullesthorpe.[7]

Constituency profile

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The current South Leicestershire is a slice of Leicestershire to the south west of Leicester, with most of the population in commuter towns and villages like Whetstone, Blaby and Narborough. Further south it is more rural, with the largest settlement the old market town of Lutterworth. Nearby is the former site of RAF Bitteswell, since redeveloped as Magna Park, one of the largest distribution centres in Europe.[8]

The constituency name of South Leicestershire was new for 2010, but the seat was not massively changed from the old seat of Blaby. Both this and its predecessor are safe Tory seats held by the party since Blaby's creation in 1974. The best known MP to represent the area is the former Chancellor Nigel Lawson.

History

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1832-1885

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The constituency was created by the Reform Act 1832 for the 1832 general election, when the two-seat Leicestershire constituency was replaced by the Northern and Southern divisions, each of which elected two MPs.

Both divisions of the county were abolished by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 for the 1885 general election, when they were replaced by four new single-seat constituencies: Bosworth, Harborough, Loughborough and Melton.

Prominent members in this period included Thomas Paget (Jnr) (1807–1892) who followed the footsteps of his father in this role (his father having represented Leicestershire) and as partner in Leicester Bank, and Albert Pell, a member of a group of MPs, which included Henry Chaplin, Sir Massey Lopes and Clare Sewell Read, who supported farming interests. He was also a member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

Members of Parliament

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MPs 1832–1885

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Leicestershire prior to 1832

Election 1st Member[9] 1st Party 2nd Member[9] 2nd Party
1832 Edward Dawson Whig[10] Sir Henry Halford, Bt Tory[10]
1834 Conservative[10]
1835 Thomas Frewen Turner Conservative[10]
1836 by-election Charles Packe Conservative[10]
1857 Viscount Curzon Conservative
1867 by-election Thomas Paget Liberal Party
1868 Albert Pell Conservative Party
1870 by-election William Unwin Heygate Conservative
1880 Thomas Paget Liberal Party
1885 Redistribution of Seats Act: constituency abolished

MPs since 2010

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Blaby and Harborough prior to 2010

Election Member[9] Party
2010 Andrew Robathan Conservative
2015 Alberto Costa Conservative

Elections

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Elections in the 2020s

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General election 2024: South Leicestershire[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 18,264 35.6 −30.9
Labour Robert Parkinson 12,758 24.8 +4.9
Reform UK Bill Piper 10,235 19.9 N/A
Liberal Democrats Paul Hartshorn 7,621 14.8 +5.2
Green Mike Jelfs 2,481 4.8 +0.8
Majority 5,508 10.8 −30.9
Turnout 51,359 65.6 −5.8
Registered electors 78,543
Conservative hold Swing -15.5

Elections in the 2010s

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General election 2019: South Leicestershire[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 36,791 64.0 +2.6
Labour Tristan Koriya 12,787 22.3 −6.2
Liberal Democrats Phil Knowles 5,452 9.5 +5.3
Green Nick Cox 2,439 4.2 +2.3
Majority 24,004 41.7 +8.8
Turnout 57,469 71.4 −0.4
Conservative hold Swing +4.4
General election 2017: South Leicestershire[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 34,795 61.4 +8.2
Labour Shabbir Aslam 16,164 28.5 +6.5
Liberal Democrats Greg Webb 2,403 4.2 −3.2
UKIP Roger Helmer 2,235 3.9 −13.5
Green Mary Morgan 1,092 1.9 New
Majority 18,631 32.9 +1.7
Turnout 56,801 71.8 +1.6
Conservative hold Swing +0.9
General election 2015: South Leicestershire[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Alberto Costa 28,700 53.2 +3.7
Labour Amanda Hack 11,876 22.0 +1.1
UKIP Barry Mahoney[8] 9,363 17.4 +13.8
Liberal Democrats Geoffrey Welsh 3,987 7.4 −13.6
Majority 16,824 31.2 +2.7
Turnout 53,926 70.2 −1.0
Conservative hold Swing +1.3
General election 2010: South Leicestershire[15][16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Andrew Robathan* 27,000 49.5 +4.1
Liberal Democrats Aladdin Ayesh 11,476 21.0 +2.0
Labour Sally Gimson 11,392 20.9 −8.8
BNP Peter Preston 2,721 5.0 +1.5
UKIP John Williams 1,988 3.6 +1.2
Majority 15,524 28.5
Turnout 54,577 71.2 +6.0
Conservative win (new seat)
* Served as an MP in the 2005–2010 Parliament

Elections 1832–1880

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Elections in the 1830s

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General election 1832: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Tory Henry Halford Unopposed
Whig Edward Dawson Unopposed
Registered electors 4,125
Tory win (new seat)
Whig win (new seat)
General election 1835: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Thomas Frewen Turner Unopposed
Registered electors 4,244
Conservative hold
Conservative gain from Whig
By-election, 18 February 1836: South Leicestershire[17][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Conservative hold
  • Caused by Turner's resignation
General election 1837: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17][10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 4,603
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1840s

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General election 1841: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17][10][18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Halford 2,638 34.4 N/A
Conservative Charles Packe 2,622 34.2 N/A
Whig Thomas Gisborne 1,213 15.8 New
Whig Edward Hawkins Cheney[19] 1,196 15.6 New
Majority 1,409 18.4 N/A
Turnout 3,835 (est) 78.2 (est) N/A
Registered electors 4,903
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A
General election 1847: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,448
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1850s

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General election 1852: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Henry Halford Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,131
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
General election 1857: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,205
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
General election 1859: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 5,259
Conservative hold
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1860s

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General election 1865: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe Unopposed
Conservative Charles Packe Unopposed
Registered electors 6,283
Conservative hold
Conservative hold
By-election, 30 November 1867: South Leicestershire (1 seat)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,302 50.4 New
Conservative Albert Pell 2,263 49.6 N/A
Majority 39 0.8 N/A
Turnout 4,565 72.7 N/A
Registered electors 6,283
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing N/A
  • Caused by Packe's death.
General election 1868: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative George Curzon-Howe 3,196 34.9 N/A
Conservative Albert Pell 3,111 33.9 N/A
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,861 31.2 N/A
Majority 250 2.7 N/A
Turnout 6,015 (est) 72.4 (est) N/A
Registered electors 8,308
Conservative hold Swing N/A
Conservative hold Swing N/A

Elections in the 1870s

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By-election, 13 June 1870: South Leicestershire (1 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Unwin Heygate 3,292 56.0 −12.8
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,585 44.0 +12.8
Majority 707 12.0 +9.3
Turnout 5,877 70.7 −1.7
Registered electors 8,308
Conservative hold Swing −12.8
  • Caused by Curzon-Howe succeeding to the peerage, becoming Earl Howe.
General election 1874: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Albert Pell 3,583 36.8 +2.9
Conservative William Unwin Heygate 3,269 33.6 −1.3
Liberal Thomas Paget 2,883 29.6 −1.6
Majority 386 4.0 +1.3
Turnout 6,309 (est) 74.3 (est) +1.9
Registered electors 8,489
Conservative hold Swing +1.9
Conservative hold Swing −0.3

Elections in the 1880s

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General election 1880: South Leicestershire (2 seats)[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Thomas Paget 3,685 35.7 +6.1
Conservative Albert Pell 3,453 33.5 −3.3
Conservative William Unwin Heygate 3,175 30.8 −2.8
Majority 510 4.9 N/A
Turnout 6,860 (est) 76.0 (est) +1.7
Registered electors 9,022
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +2.9
Conservative hold Swing −3.2

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – East Midlands". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  2. ^ "The statutes of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. 2 & 3 William IV. Cap. XLV: An Act to amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales". London: His Majesty's statute and law printers. 1832. pp. 154–206. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. ^ 2010 post-revision map non-metropolitan areas and unitary authorities of England
  4. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 1 East Midlands.
  5. ^ LGBCE. "Blaby | LGBCE". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  6. ^ "The Blaby (Electoral Changes) Order 2022".
  7. ^ "New Seat Details - Leicestershire South". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b "UK Polling Report".
  9. ^ a b c Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "L" (part 2)
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844-1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 192. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  11. ^ "South Leicestershire - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Leicestershire South Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  13. ^ "General Election 2017: South Leicestershire". The Daily Express. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  14. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ Election 2010: South Leicestershire, BBC News
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (e-book) (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. pp. 417–418. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
  18. ^ "South Leicestershire Election". Leicester Journal. 16 July 1841. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 16 May 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ "Leicester Chronicle". 17 July 1841. pp. 1–3. Retrieved 16 May 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
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52°30′N 1°12′W / 52.50°N 1.20°W / 52.50; -1.20

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