Acton (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1918–1983

Acton

Former borough constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundary of Acton in Greater London for the February 1974 general election

County| 1918–1965: Middlesex
1965–1983: Greater London
Borough| Acton
London Borough of Ealing
1918–1983
Seats| One
Created from| Ealing
Replaced by| Ealing Acton
Map that gives each named seat and any constant electoral success for national (Westminster) elections for Middlesex, 1955 to 1974.

Acton was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, created for the 1918 general election. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system of election.

## Boundaries and boundary changes

[edit]

Map of boundaries 1974–1983

Dates | Local authority  | Maps | Wards

|
|
|

1918–1945  | Municipal Borough of Acton |  | Acton Urban District
1945–1974  | Municipal Borough of Acton (before 1965)
London Borough of Ealing (after 1965)  |  | Acton Urban District[1][2]
1974–1983  | London Borough of Ealing |  | Central, East, Hanger Hill, Heathfield, Southfield and Springfield.[3]

### 1918–1945

[edit]

The constituency was formed entirely from the existing constituency of Ealing

### 1945–1974

[edit]

The constituency was subject to minor boundary changes.

### 1974–1983

[edit]

Wards to the west were transferred from the abolished constituency of Ealing South as well as minor parts of Ealing North.

### History

[edit]

The seat was created by the Representation of the People Act 1918 which increased the number of seats where population had expanded such as in Middlesex due to the conurbation growing around the County of London. It was based on the town of Acton. The seat consisted of the Acton Urban District which became a Municipal Borough in 1921.

A redistribution of Parliamentary seats, which took effect at the 1950 United Kingdom general election made no change to the boundaries; its legislation, affecting election expenses and returning officer re-classified, the seat as a borough constituency.

In 1965 the area became part of the London Borough of Ealing and Greater London.

In the redistribution which took effect at the February 1974 general election, the seat to the west, Ealing South, was abolished and this seat absorbed most of its area to reach the electoral quota, it having been heavily underweight in electorate. The seat in statute and statutory instrument became variously Ealing: Acton and/or simply Acton where under a heading of London Borough of Ealing. From the review effective from the election of 1983 it became Ealing Acton.

Components

* 1918-74: Acton M.B. Note per the London Government Act 1963 the Metropolitan Borough ceased to exist in 1965, its functions being replaced by the larger London Borough of Ealing.
* 1974-83: Six wards (the old area plus the centre of the new larger borough, further west), namely:
* The London Borough of Ealing wards: Central, East, Hanger Hill, Heathfield, Southfield and Springfield.[4]

The change was extension, along all of the former western edge.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Election | Member | Party | Notes

|
|
|

| 1918 | Sir Harry Brittain | Unionist |
| 1929 | James Shillaker | Labour |
| 1931 | Hubert Duggan | Conservative | Died October 1943
| 1943 by-election | Henry Longhurst | Conservative |
| 1945 | Joseph Sparks | Labour |
| 1959 | Philip Holland | Conservative |
| 1964 | Bernard Floud | Labour | Died October 1967
| 1968 by-election | Kenneth Baker | Conservative |
| 1970 | Nigel Spearing | Labour |
| 1974 | Sir George Young | Conservative | Contested Ealing Acton following redistribution
1983 | constituency abolished: see Ealing Acton

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 1910s

[edit]

1918 general election: Acton[5][6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

C | Unionist Party (UK) | Harry Brittain | 11,671 | 73.3
| Labour | Robert Dunsmore  | 4,241  | 26.7
Majority  | 7,430  | 46.7
Turnout | 15,912  | 53.9
Registered electors | 29,539  |
| Unionist win (new seat)
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

### Elections in the 1920s

[edit]

1922 general election: Acton[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Harry Brittain | 10,208  | 50.0  | –23.4
| Labour | Mary Richardson | 5,342  | 26.2  | –0.5
| Liberal | Neville Dixey | 4,877  | 23.9  | New
Majority | 4,866  | 23.8  | –22.9
Turnout | 20,427  | 67.1  | +13.3
Registered electors | 30,425  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | –11.4  |
1923 general election: Acton[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Harry Brittain | 8,943  | 44.9  | –5.1
| Labour | Herbert Baldwin  | 6,069  | 30.5  | +4.3
| Liberal | Bertram Levinson  | 4,909  | 24.6  | +0.8
Majority | 2,874  | 14.4  | –9.4
Turnout | 19,921  | 63.5  | –3.7
Registered electors | 31,394  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | –4.7  |
1924 general election: Acton[6][7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Harry Brittain | 12,799  | 55.1  | +10.2
| Labour | Herbert Baldwin  | 5,583  | 24.0  | –6.4
| Liberal | Bertram Levinson  | 3,074  | 13.2  | –11.4
| Democratic Labour  | Mary Richardson | 1,775  | 7.6  | New
Majority | 7,216  | 31.1  | +16.6
Turnout | 23,231  | 72.6  | +9.1
Registered electors | 31,999  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | +8.3  |
1929 general election: Acton[6][8] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | James Shillaker | 13,208  | 41.4  | +17.3
| Unionist | Harry Brittain | 12,739  | 39.9  | –15.2
| Liberal | Frank Medlicott | 5,981  | 18.7  | +5.5
Majority | 469  | 1.5  | N/A
Turnout | 31,928  | 75.5  | +2.9
Registered electors | 42,276  |  |
| Labour gain from Unionist | Swing | +16.3  |

### Elections in the 1930s

[edit]

1931 general election: Acton[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Hubert Duggan | 24,196  | 67.0  | +27.1
| Labour | James Shillaker | 11,924  | 33.0  | –8.4
Majority | 12,272  | 34.0  | N/A
Turnout | 36,120  | 75.5  | –0.1
Registered electors | 47,865  |  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +17.7  |
1935 general election: Acton[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Hubert Duggan | 19,137  | 58.5  | –8.5
| Labour | William McLaine  | 13,559  | 41.5  | +8.5
Majority | 5,578  | 17.0  | –17.0
Turnout | 32,696  | 67.8  | –7.7
Registered electors | 48,258  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1940s

[edit]

1943 Acton by-election[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Henry Longhurst | 5,014  | 60.3  | +1.8
| Ind. Labour Party | Walter Padley | 2,336  | 28.1  | New
| Independent | Dorothy Crisp | 707  | 8.5  | New
| Independent | Edward Godfrey[n 1] | 258  | 3.1  | New
Majority | 2,678  | 32.2  | +15.1
Turnout | 8,315  | 17.1  | –50.7
Registered electors | 48,663  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +7.6  |
1945 general election: Acton[6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Joseph Sparks | 19,590  | 56.1  | +14.7
| Conservative | Henry Longhurst | 12,134  | 34.8  | –23.8
| Liberal | Francis Halpin  | 3,172  | 9.1  | New
Majority | 7,456  | 21.4  | N/A
Turnout | 34,896  | 77.7  | +10.0
Registered electors | 44,887  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +19.2  |

### Elections in the 1950s

[edit]

1950 general election: Acton[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Joseph Sparks | 21,751  | 49.1  | –7.1
| Conservative | George Willment  | 19,116  | 43.1  | +8.4
| Liberal | Pauline Furniss  | 2,781  | 6.3  | –2.8
| Communist | Albert Papworth  | 663  | 1.5  | New
Majority | 2,635  | 5.9  | –15.4
Turnout | 44,311  | 87.6  | +9.9
Registered electors | 50,588  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing | –7.7  |
1951 general election: Acton[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Joseph Sparks | 23,287  | 52.2  | +3.1
| Conservative | Leslie Ramseyer  | 21,296  | 47.8  | +4.6
Majority | 1,991  | 4.5  | –1.5
Turnout | 44,583  | 86.9  | –0.7
Registered electors | 51,292  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing | –0.7  |
1955 general election: Acton  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Joseph Sparks | 20,645  | 50.6  | +1.6
| Conservative | John Bott  | 20,120  | 49.4  | –1.6
Majority | 525  | 1.2  | –4.8
Turnout | 40,765  | 82.6  | –4.4
Registered electors | 49,373  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing | –1.6  |
1959 general election: Acton[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Philip Holland | 19,358  | 51.2  | +1.9
| Labour | Joseph Sparks | 18,438  | 48.8  | –1.9
Majority | 920  | 2.4  | N/A
Turnout | 37,796  | 80.7  | –1.9
Registered electors | 46,835  |  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +1.9  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

1964 general election: Acton[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Bernard Floud | 17,022  | 49.3  | +0.6
| Conservative | Philip Holland | 14,423  | 41.8  | –9.4
| Liberal | Barwys Martin-Kaye  | 3,049  | 8.8  | New
Majority | 2,599  | 7.5  | N/A
Turnout | 34,494  | 77.4  | –3.3
Registered electors | 44,557  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.0  |
1966 general election: Acton[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Bernard Floud | 18,541  | 57.7  | +8.3
| Conservative | Kenneth Baker | 13,600  | 42.3  | +0.5
Majority | 4,941  | 15.4  | +7.8
Turnout | 32,141  | 74.0  | –3.5
Registered electors | 43,464  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing | +3.9  |
1968 Acton by-election[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Kenneth Baker | 12,242  | 48.7  | +6.4
| Labour | Walter Johnson | 8,522  | 33.9  | –23.8
| Liberal | Frank Davis  | 2,868  | 11.4  | New
| National Front | Andrew Fountaine | 1,400  | 5.6  | New
| Independent | Harold Fox[n 2] | 75  | 0.3  | New
| Independent | William Gold  | 44  | 0.2  | New
Majority | 3,720  | 14.8  | N/A
Turnout | 25,151  | 59.7  | –14.2
Registered electors | 42,103  |  |
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +15.1  |

### Elections in the 1970s

[edit]

1970 general election: Acton[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Nigel Spearing | 13,960  | 48.0  | –9.7
| Conservative | Kenneth Baker | 13,300  | 45.7  | +3.4
| Liberal | Dion Scherer  | 1,583  | 5.4  | New
| Communist | Maurice Costin  | 258  | 0.9  | New
Majority | 660  | 2.3  | –13.1
Turnout | 29,101  | 66.6  | –7.3
Registered electors | 43,670  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing | –6.6  |
1970 notional result[10]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Conservative | 21,400 | 49.7
| Labour | 18,700 | 43.4
| Liberal | 3,000 | 7.0
Turnout | 43,100  | 66.0
Electorate | 65,305
February 1974 general election: Acton  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Young | 18,492  | 43.3  | –6.2
| Labour | Nigel Spearing | 17,041  | 39.9  | –3.5
| Liberal | Mario Uziell-Hamilton  | 7,160  | 16.8  | +9.8
Majority | 1,451  | 3.4  | +1.1
Turnout | 42,693  | 75.7  | +9.7
Registered electors | 56,365  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | –1.4  |
October 1974 general election: Acton[11] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Young | 17,669  | 45.2  | +1.9
| Labour | Glen Barnham  | 16,861  | 43.1  | +3.1
| Liberal | Mario Uziell-Hamilton  | 4,569  | 11.7  | –5.1
Majority | 808  | 2.1  | –1.3
Turnout | 39,199  | 69.0  | –6.8
Registered electors | 56,689  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | –0.7  |
1979 general election: Acton[12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Young | 21,056  | 51.9  | +6.7
| Labour | Glen Barnham  | 15,258  | 37.6  | –5.5
| Liberal | Simon Rowley  | 3,549  | 8.7  | –2.9
| National Front | Clive Wakley  | 501  | 1.2  | New
| Independent | James O'Leary[n 3] | 243  | 0.6  | New
Majority | 5,798  | 14.3  | +12.2
Turnout | 40,607  | 71.4  | +2.4
Registered electors | 56,875  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +6.1  |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Leader of the English National Association
2. ^ Fox stood under the label 'Independent Carnaby Street’ candidate.
3. ^ O'Leary stood under the label 'Irish National Party'

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Representation of the People Act 1948, Sch. 1, at Middlesex (B) Borough Constituencies (page 107) http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1948/65/pdfs/ukpga_19480065_en.pdf
2. ^ Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970 (S.I. 1970 number 1674), Sch 1 (list of contents of existing seats) at page 5454 (or 11 of 76)
3. ^ Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970 (S.I. 1970 number 1674), Sch 2 (list of contents of new seats) at page 5491 (or 48 of 76)
4. ^ Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970 (S.I. 1970 number 1674), Sch 2 (list of contents of new seats) at page 5491 (or 48 of 76)
5. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1922
6. ^ a b c d e f g h i Craig, F.W.S., ed. (1969). British parliamentary election results 1918-1949. Glasgow: Political Reference Publications. p. 421. ISBN 0-900178-01-9.
7. ^ Walker, Michael (22 February 2009). "Labour Candidates 1922 and 1923 – West London". Hayes People History. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
8. ^ "The General Election. First Returns, Polling in the Boroughs". The Times. 31 May 1929. p. 7.
9. ^ a b c d e f g Craig, Fred W. S (1983). British parliamentary election results, 1950-1973 (2nd ed.). Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0900178078. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
10. ^ Michael Stead. "1970 notional general election & February 1974 general election". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
11. ^ "1974 - October 1974 General Election - Acton". UK general election results 1832 - 2019. Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
12. ^ "1979 - 1979 General Election - Acton". UK general election results 1832 - 2019. Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 1 November 2023.

* Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 1)

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Historic constituencies in London

Outer London, 1965|

* Acton
* Barnet
* Barking
* Beckenham
* Bexley
* Brentford and Chiswick
* Bromley
* Carshalton
* Chingford
* Chislehurst
* Croydon North East
* Croydon North West
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* Dagenham
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* East Ham North
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* Edmonton
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* Enfield West
* Erith and Crayford
* Feltham
* Finchley
* Harrow Central
* Harrow East
* Harrow West
* Hayes and Harlington
* Hendon North
* Hendon South
* Heston and Isleworth
* Hornchurch
* Hornsey
* Ilford North
* Ilford South
* Kingston-upon-Thames
* Leyton
* Merton and Morden
* Mitcham
* Orpington
* Richmond
* Romford
* Ruislip-Northwood
* Southall
* Southgate
* Surbiton
* Sutton and Cheam
* Tottenham
* Twickenham
* Uxbridge
* Walthamstow East
* Walthamstow West
* Wanstead and Woodford
* Wembley North
* Wembley South
* West Ham North
* West Ham South
* Wimbledon
* Willeseden East
* Willeseden West
* Wood Green

1974|

* Acton
* Barking
* Battersea North
* Battersea South
* Beckenham
* Bermondsey
* Bethnal Green and Bow
* Bexleyheath
* Brent East
* Brent North
* Brent South
* Brentford and Isleworth
* Carshalton
* Chelsea
* Chingford
* Chipping Barnet
* Chislehurst
* City of London and Westminster South
* Croydon Central
* Croydon North East
* Croydon North West
* Croydon South
* Dagenham
* Dulwich
* Ealing North
* Edmonton
* Enfield North
* Enfield Southgate
* Erith and Crayford
* Feltham and Heston
* Finchley
* Fulham
* Greenwich
* Hackney Central
* Hackney North and Stoke Newington
* Hackney South and Shoreditch
* Hammersmith North
* Hampstead
* Harrow Central
* Harrow East
* Harrow West
* Hayes and Harlington
* Hendon North
* Hendon South
* Holborn and St Pancras South
* Hornchurch
* Hornsey
* Ilford North
* Ilford South
* Islington Central
* Islington North
* Islington South and Finsbury
* Kensington
* Kingston-upon-Thames
* Lambeth Central
* Lewisham Deptford
* Lewisham East
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* Leyton
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* Norwood
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* Surbiton
* Sutton and Cheam
* Tooting
* Tottenham
* Twickenham
* Upminster
* Uxbridge
* Vauxhall
* Walthamstow
* Wanstead and Woodford
* Wimbledon
* Wood Green
* Woolwich East
* Woolwich West

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