Ashford (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885 onwards

Ashford

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundaries since 2024

Boundary of Ashford in South East England

County| Kent
Population| 112,940 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate| 73,546 (2023)[2]
Major settlements| Ashford, Hawkinge, Wye
Current constituency
Created| 1885
Member of Parliament| Sojan Joseph (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from| West Kent

Ashford is a constituency[n 1] in Kent created in 1885 and represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Sojan Joseph of the Labour Party.[n 2]

## Constituency profile

[edit]

The constituency includes all of the large town of Ashford, which is seeing significant housing expansion[3] and has a manufacturing and services employment base; and surrounding rural areas to the east, including the village of Wye. The seat previously included the town of Tenterden but, due to population growth in Ashford itself, the 2023 boundary review proposed that Tenterden be removed from the Ashford constituency and included in the new constituency of Weald of Kent.

Residents' health and wealth are in line with UK averages.[4]

## Boundaries

[edit]

Map of boundaries 2010–2024

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: Following the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following (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.[5]

The bulk of the geographic area of the constituency, including the town of Tenterden, and comprising approximately 35% of the current electorate, was moved to the newly created constituency of Weald of Kent.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

The Conservatives lost the seat at the 2024 general election to Sojan Joseph of the Labour Party, the first time in the seat's history that it was won by Labour.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

West Kent prior to 1885

Election | Member[9] | 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
| 2024 | Sojan Joseph | Labour

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

2024 general election: Ashford[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Sojan Joseph | 15,262  | 32.5  | +8.7
| Conservative | Damian Green | 13,483  | 28.7  | −30.5
| Reform UK | Tristram Kennedy Harper  | 10,141  | 21.6  | N/A
| Green | Mandy Rossi  | 4,355  | 9.3  | +4.7
| Liberal Democrats | Adam Rowledge  | 2,445  | 5.2  | −5.5
| Consensus  | James Ransley  | 1,289  | 2.7  | N/A
Majority | 1,779  | 3.8  |
Turnout | 46,975  | 61.6  | −4.5
Registered electors | 76,212  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +19.6  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

2019 notional result[11]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Conservative | 28,759 | 59.2
| Labour | 11,548 | 23.8
| Liberal Democrats | 5,176 | 10.7
| Green | 2,234 | 4.6
| Others | 862 | 1.8
Turnout | 48,579  | 66.1
Electorate | 73,546
2019 general election: Ashford[12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 37,270  | 62.1  | +3.1
| Labour | Dara Farrell  | 13,241  | 22.0  | −7.8
| Liberal Democrats | Adrian Gee-Turner  | 6,048  | 10.1  | +4.9
| Green | Mandy Rossi  | 2,638  | 4.4  | +2.1
| Independent | Susannah De Sanvil  | 862  | 1.4  | N/A
Majority | 24,029  | 40.1  | +10.9
Turnout | 60,059  | 67.1  | −1.4
Registered electors | 89,553  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.4  |
2017 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 35,318  | 59.0  | +6.5
| Labour | Sally Gathern  | 17,840  | 29.8  | +11.4
| Liberal Democrats | Adrian Gee-Turner  | 3,101  | 5.2  | −0.8
| UKIP | Gerald O'Brien  | 2,218  | 3.7  | −15.1
| Green | Mandy Rossi  | 1,402  | 2.3  | −2.0
Majority | 17,478  | 29.2  | −4.5
Turnout | 59,879  | 68.5  | +1.2
Registered electors | 87,387  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.5  |
2015 general election: Ashford[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 30,094  | 52.5  | −1.6
| UKIP | Gerald O'Brien  | 10,798  | 18.8  | +14.3
| Labour | Brendan Chilton  | 10,580  | 18.4  | +1.7
| Liberal Democrats | Debbie Enever  | 3,433  | 6.0  | −16.8
| Green | Mandy Rossi  | 2,467  | 4.3  | +2.5
Majority | 19,296  | 33.7  | +2.4
Turnout | 57,372  | 67.3  | −0.6
Registered electors | 85,177  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −8.0  |
2010 general election: Ashford[14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 29,878  | 54.1  | +2.7
| Liberal Democrats | Chris Took  | 12,581  | 22.8  | +7.2
| Labour | Chris Clark  | 9,204  | 16.7  | −9.7
| UKIP | Jeffrey Elenor[15] | 2,508  | 4.5  | +1.4
| Green | Steven Campkin  | 1,014  | 1.8  | −1.6
Majority | 17,297  | 31.3  | +5.6
Turnout | 55,185  | 67.9  | +2.5
Registered electors | 81,271  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.3  |

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

2005 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 26,651  | 51.6  | +4.2
| Labour | Valerie Whitaker  | 13,353  | 25.8  | −6.3
| Liberal Democrats | Chris Took  | 8,308  | 16.1  | +1.0
| Green | Richard Boden  | 1,753  | 3.4  | +0.6
| UKIP | Bernard Stroud  | 1,620  | 3.1  | +0.5
Majority | 13,298  | 25.8  | +10.5
Turnout | 51,685  | 65.0  | +2.5
Registered electors | 78,816  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.2  |
2001 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 22,739  | 47.4  | +6.0
| Labour | John Adams  | 15,380  | 32.1  | +0.4
| Liberal Democrats | Keith Fitchett  | 7,236  | 15.1  | −4.6
| Green | Richard Boden  | 1,353  | 2.8  | +1.6
| UKIP | David Waller  | 1,229  | 2.6  | N/A
Majority | 7,359  | 15.3  | +5.6
Turnout | 47,937  | 62.5  | −11.7
Registered electors | 76,699  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +3.2  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

1997 general election: Ashford[16][17] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Green | 22,899  | 41.4  | −13.2
| Labour | John Ennals  | 17,554  | 31.7  | +11.7
| Liberal Democrats | John Williams  | 10,901  | 19.7  | −4.4
| Referendum | Christopher Cruden  | 3,201  | 5.8  | N/A
| Green | Richard Boden  | 660  | 1.2  | −0.2
| Natural Law | Stephen Tyrell  | 89  | 0.2  | N/A
Majority | 5,345  | 9.7  | −20.8
Turnout | 55,294  | 74.2  | −5.0
Registered electors | 74,512  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −12.5  |
1992 general election: Ashford[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Keith Speed | 31,031  | 54.6  | −1.9
| Liberal Democrats | Christine Headley  | 13,672  | 24.1  | −3.2
| Labour | Doreen Cameron  | 11,365  | 20.0  | +5.3
| Green | Charles Porter  | 773  | 1.4  | −0.1
Majority | 17,359  | 30.5  | +1.3
Turnout | 56,841  | 79.2  | +3.5
Registered electors | 71,767  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +0.7  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

1987 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Keith Speed | 29,978  | 56.5  | −0.3
| SDP | Neil Macmillan  | 14,490  | 27.3  | −0.5
| Labour | Michael Wiggins  | 7,775  | 14.7  | +1.8
| Green | Charles Porter  | 778  | 1.5  | +0.3
Majority | 15,488  | 29.2  | +0.2
Turnout | 53,021  | 75.7  | +2.5
Registered electors | 70,052  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1983 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Keith Speed | 27,230  | 56.8  | +1.1
| SDP | Jo Hawkes  | 13,319  | 27.8  | +11.6
| Labour | Paul Lewis  | 6,167  | 12.9  | −13.8
| Ecology | Charles Porter  | 569  | 1.2  | N/A
| National Labour | J.W. King  | 456  | 0.9  | N/A
| BNP | R.E. Lockwood  | 195  | 0.4  | N/A
Majority | 13,911  | 29.0  | 0.0
Turnout | 47,936  | 73.2  | −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  | +11.4
| Labour | A.A. Gilbert  | 12,586  | 26.7  | −3.8
| Liberal | Alison Wainman  | 7,631  | 16.2  | −9.0
| National Front | K.R. McKilliam  | 678  | 1.4  | N/A
Majority | 13,638  | 29.0  | +15.2
Turnout | 47,119  | 76.7  | +2.2
Registered electors | 61,460  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
October 1974 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Keith Speed | 19,294  | 44.3  | −1.9
| Labour | M.B. Jackson  | 13,269  | 30.5  | +4.9
| Liberal | Clive G. Dennis  | 10,983  | 25.2  | −3.0
Majority | 6,025  | 13.8  | −4.2
Turnout | 43,546  | 74.5  | −7.0
Registered electors | 58,419  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
February 1974 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 21,773  | 46.2  | −6.4
| Liberal | Clive G. Dennis  | 13,314  | 28.2  | +11.9
| Labour | M.B. Jackson  | 12,077  | 25.6  | −5.4
Majority | 8,459  | 18.0  | −8.0
Turnout | 47,164  | 81.5  | +9.0
Registered electors | 57,875  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1970 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 26,649  | 54.8  | +4.8
| Labour | John M. Bowyer  | 14,037  | 28.9  | −2.1
| Liberal | Frederick Charles Truman  | 7,902  | 16.3  | −2.7
Majority | 12,612  | 26.0  | +7.0
Turnout | 48,588  | 72.5  | −2.9
Registered electors | 66,975  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +3.5  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

1966 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 21,362  | 50.0  | +0.6
| Labour | Charles A. Thomas  | 13,249  | 31.0  | +2.8
| Liberal | J. Gavin W. Peck  | 8,121  | 19.0  | −3.4
Majority | 8,113  | 19.0  | −2.2
Turnout | 42,732  | 75.4  | −2.1
Registered electors | 56,669  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1964 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 21,026  | 49.4  | −13.5
| Labour | Charles A. Thomas  | 11,989  | 28.2  | −8.9
| Liberal | J. Gavin W. Peck  | 9,531  | 22.4  | N/A
Majority | 9,037  | 21.2  | −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  | +2.4
| Labour | Reginald Ward  | 14,983  | 37.1  | −2.4
Majority | 10,400  | 25.8  | +4.9
Turnout | 40,366  | 77.5  | −0.6
Registered electors | 52,097  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1955 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 23,992  | 60.5  | +1.4
| Labour | Neville Sandelson | 15,685  | 39.5  | −1.4
Majority | 8,307  | 20.9  | +2.6
Turnout | 39,677  | 78.1  | −3.8
Registered electors | 50,821  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1951 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 24,093  | 59.1  | +7.5
| Labour | Neville Sandelson | 16,645  | 40.9  | +4.3
Majority | 7,448  | 18.3  | +3.3
Turnout | 40,738  | 81.9  | −2.2
Registered electors | 49,715  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1950 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Bill Deedes | 21,095  | 51.6  | −0.4
| Labour | Neville Sandelson | 14,948  | 36.6  | +1.8
| Liberal | H. Shirley  | 4,828  | 11.8  | −1,5
Majority | 6,147  | 15.0  | −2.2
Turnout | 40,871  | 84.1  | +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  | −7.2
| Labour | Horace Waterton Lee  | 12,575  | 34.8  | +17.2
| Liberal | Harold Vezey Strong  | 4,804  | 13.3  | −9.9
Majority | 6,225  | 17.2  | −18.8
Turnout | 36,179  | 71.3  | −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  | +10.5
| Common Wealth | Catherine E. Williamson  | 4,192  | 30.3  | N/A
Majority | 5,456  | 39.4  | +3.4
Turnout | 13,840  | 27.7  | −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  | +0.5
| Liberal | Borlase Matthews | 8,338  | 23.2  | N/A
| Labour | W.J. Beck  | 6,333  | 17.6  | N/A
Majority | 12,985  | 36.0  | +18.6
Turnout | 35,994  | 73.6  | −2.3
Registered electors | 48,914  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1933 Ashford by-election:  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Patrick Spens | 16,051  | 47.7  | −11.0
| Liberal | Roderick Kedward | 11,423  | 33.9  | −7.4
| Labour | W.J. Beck  | 6,178  | 18.4  | N/A
Majority | 4,628  | 13.8  | −3.6
Turnout | 33,652  | 70.9  | −5.0
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
27 October 1931 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Knatchbull | 20,891  | 58.7  | +16.1
| National Liberal | Roderick Kedward | 14,681  | 41.3  | −4.7
Majority | 6,210  | 17.4  |
Turnout | 35,572  | 75.9  | +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  | +24.2
| Unionist | Samuel Strang Steel | 14,579  | 42.6  | −17.8
| Labour | Mont Follick | 3,885  | 11.4  | −6.4
Majority | 1,174  | 3.4  |
Turnout | 34,217  | 75.3  | +4.9
Registered electors | 45,445  |  |
| Liberal gain from Unionist | Swing | +21.0  |
29 October 1924 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Samuel Strang Steel | 15,159  | 60.4  | −1.7
| Liberal | Leonard John Humphrey  | 5,487  | 21.8  | N/A
| Labour | Basil Noble  | 4,473  | 17.8  | −20.1
Majority | 9,672  | 38.6  | +14.4
Turnout | 25,119  | 70.4  | +12.6
Registered electors | 35,659  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | +9.2  |
6 December 1923 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Samuel Strang Steel | 12,644  | 62.1  | −7.0
| Labour | Basil Noble  | 7,709  | 37.9  | +7.0
Majority | 4,935  | 24.2  | −14.0
Turnout | 20,353  | 57.8  | −6.4
Registered electors | 35,223  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | +7.0  |
15 November 1922 general election: Ashford  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Samuel Strang Steel | 15,638  | 69.1  | −11.9
| Labour | Basil Noble  | 6,977  | 30.9  | N/A
Majority | 8,661  | 38.2  | −23.8
Turnout | 22,615  | 64.2  | +25.0
Registered electors | 35,240  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing |  |

### 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  | N/A
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;

* Unionist: Lawrence Hardy
* Liberal: Arthur Frederick William Johnson[21]

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  | +12.7
| Liberal | Reginald John Farrer  | 4,422  | 35.7  | −12.7
Majority | 3,544  | 28.6  | +25.4
Turnout | 12,418  | 87.2  | +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  | −20.0
| Liberal | Percy Harris | 5,614  | 48.4  | N/A
Majority | 380  | 3.2  | −40.0
Turnout | 11,608  | 83.7  | +18.9
Registered electors | 13,864  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
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  | N/A
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  | N/A
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]

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Kent
* List of parliamentary constituencies in the South East England (region)

## 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. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – South East". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
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. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
6. ^ Baker, Carl; Johnston, Neil (20 March 2024). "Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK?".
7. ^ "Conservative Members of Parliament 2015". UK Political.info. Archived from the original on 8 June 2017. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
8. ^ "Damian Green MP, Ashford – TheyWorkForYou".
9. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 3)
10. ^ "Ashford Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll". Ashford Borough Council. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
11. ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 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]

* Ashford UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
* Ashford UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
* Ashford UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

* v
* t
* e

Ashford, Kent

Other settlements
in Ashford Town|

* Bockhanger
* Newtown
* Park Farm
* Stanhope

Buildings|

* Ashford International railway station
* East Hill Mill
* Railway Works
* St Mary's Church
* Victoria Flour Mills

Businesses|

* Ailsa Craig Engines
* Ashford Designer Outlet
* Brake Bros
* County Square
* H.S. Pledge & Sons Ltd
* Letraset
* Norman Cycles

Military|

* Joint Services School of Intelligence

People|

* List of people from Ashford, Kent

Schools|

* Ashford School
* Highworth Grammar School for Girls
* John Wallis Academy
* K College
* The North School
* The Norton Knatchbull School

Sport, arts and leisure|

* Ashford Green Corridor
* Ashford International Studios
* Ashford United
* Kent Opera
* Stour Valley Walk

Twin towns|

* Bad Münstereifel
* Fougères
* Hopewell

Media|

| News, property and advertisements|

* Kentish Express

|

Radio|

* AHBS Community Radio
* KMFM Ashford

Political|

| Borough Council and elections|

* Borough of Ashford
* 1999
* 2003
* 2007
* 2011
* 2015
* 2019
* 2023

|

County Council and elections|

* Kent County Council
* 2001
* 2005
* 2009
* 2013
* 2017
* 2021

House of Commons|

* Ashford constituency
* Folkestone & Hythe constituency (includes SE of borough)

* v
* t
* e

Constituencies in South East England (91)

Labour (35)|

* Aldershot
* Ashford
* Aylesbury
* Banbury
* Basingstoke
* Bracknell
* Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven
* Buckingham and Bletchley
* Chatham and Aylesford
* Crawley
* Dartford
* Dover and Deal
* Earley and Woodley
* East Thanet
* East Worthing and Shoreham
* Folkestone and Hythe
* Gillingham and Rainham
* Gravesham
* Hastings and Rye
* Hove and Portslade
* Isle of Wight West
* Milton Keynes Central
* Milton Keynes North
* Oxford East
* Portsmouth North
* Portsmouth South
* Reading Central
* Reading West and Mid Berkshire
* Rochester and Strood
* Sittingbourne and Sheppey
* Slough
* Southampton Itchen
* Southampton Test
* Worthing West
* Wycombe

Conservative (30)|

* Arundel and South Downs
* Beaconsfield
* Bexhill and Battle
* Bognor Regis and Littlehampton
* East Grinstead and Uckfield
* East Hampshire
* East Surrey
* Fareham and Waterlooville
* Farnham and Bordon
* Faversham and Mid Kent
* Godalming and Ash
* Gosport
* Hamble Valley
* Havant
* Herne Bay and Sandwich
* Isle of Wight East
* Maidstone and Malling
* Mid Buckinghamshire
* New Forest East
* New Forest West
* North West Hampshire
* Reigate
* Romsey and Southampton North
* Runnymede and Weybridge
* Sevenoaks
* Spelthorne
* Sussex Weald
* Tonbridge
* Weald of Kent
* Windsor

Liberal Democrats (24)|

* Bicester and Woodstock
* Chesham and Amersham
* Chichester
* Didcot and Wantage
* Dorking and Horley
* Eastbourne
* Eastleigh
* Epsom and Ewell
* Esher and Walton
* Guildford
* Henley and Thame
* Horsham
* Lewes
* Maidenhead
* Mid Sussex
* Newbury
* North East Hampshire
* Oxford West and Abingdon
* Surrey Heath
* Tunbridge Wells
* Winchester
* Witney
* Woking
* Wokingham

Green (1)|

* Brighton Pavilion

Independent (1)|

* Canterbury

Authority control databases: People |

* UK Parliament

|

51°09′N 0°56′E﻿ / ﻿51.15°N 0.93°E﻿ / 51.15; 0.93
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template