Bridgwater (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885–2010 and 2024 onwards

Bridgwater

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundary of Bridgwater in South West England

County| Somerset
Electorate| 71,418 (2023)[1]
Major settlements| Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, North Petherton
Current constituency
Created| 2024
Member of Parliament| Ashley Fox (Conservative)
Created from| Bridgwater & West Somerset
1885–2010
Seats| One
Type of constituency| County constituency
Created from| West Somerset
Replaced by| Bridgwater & West Somerset
1295–1870
Seats| Two
Type of constituency| Borough constituency
Replaced by| West Somerset

Bridgwater is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom since 2024 by Ashley Fox of the Conservative Party. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

From 2010 to 2024 it was replaced by the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency. Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat has been re-established for the 2024 general election, primarily formed from the now abolished of Bridgwater and West Somerset seat but excluding the area comprising the former District of West Somerset.[2]

## History

[edit]

Bridgwater was one of the original Parliamentary Constituencies in the House of Commons, having elected Members of Parliament since 1295, the Model Parliament.

The original borough constituency was disenfranchised for corruption in 1870. From 4 July 1870 the town was incorporated within the county constituency of West Somerset.

From Parliament's enactment of the major Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 which took effect at the 1885 general election, a new county division of Bridgwater was created, which lasted with modifications until 2010. The constituency expanded considerably beyond Bridgwater town itself from 1885.

Bridgwater frequently compared to other seats had a radical or game-changing representative, though since 1950 this became less noticeable in its candidates elected.

The seat received particular fame in late 1938 when a by-election took place in the aftermath of the signing of the Munich Agreement. Opponents of the agreement persuaded the local Labour and Liberal parties to not field candidates of their own against the Conservative candidate, but to instead jointly back an independent standing on a platform of opposition to the Government's foreign policy, in the hope that this would be the precursor to the formation of a more general Popular Front of opposition to the government of Neville Chamberlain in anticipation of the General Election due in either 1939 or 1940. The noted journalist Vernon Bartlett stood as the independent Popular Front candidate and achieved a sensational victory in what was hitherto a Conservative seat. He represented the constituency for the next twelve years.

In 1970 another by-election in the constituency achieved fame as it was the first occasion when 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds were able to vote in a UK Parliamentary election. The first teenager to cast a vote was Trudy Sellick, 18 on the day of the poll. The by-election was won by the future Conservative Cabinet Minister Tom King who held the seat for the next thirty-one years, followed by another Conservative, Ian Liddell-Grainger, until its abolition in 2010.

Liddell-Grainger served as the MP for Bridgwater and West Somerset from 2010 to 2024, but opted to stand at the 2024 general election for the new seat of Tiverton and Minehead, which he failed to win. Ashley Fox was selected as the Conservative candidate for the re-established constituency, which he narrowly won.

## Boundaries

[edit]

### Historic

[edit]

Bridgwater within Somerset in 2005

1885–1918: The Municipal Borough of Bridgwater, the Sessional Division of Bridgwater, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Taunton and Ilminster.

1918–1950: The Municipal Borough of Bridgwater, the Urban Districts of Burnham-on-Sea, Highbridge, Minehead, and Watchet, and the Rural Districts of Bridgwater and Williton.

1950–1983: The Municipal Borough of Bridgwater, the Urban Districts of Burnham-on-Sea, Minehead, and Watchet, and the Rural Districts of Bridgwater and Williton. Highbridge Urban District had been absorbed by Burnham-on-Sea UD in 1933, but the constituency boundaries remained unchanged.

1983–2010: The District of Sedgemoor wards of Cannington and Combwich, Central, Dowsborough, Eastern Quantocks, Eastover, East Poldens, Hamp, Huntspill, Newton Green, North Petherton, Parchey, Pawlett and Puriton, Quantock, Sandford, Sowey, Sydenham, Victoria, Westonzoyland, West Poldens, and Woolavington, and the District of West Somerset wards of Alcombe, Aville Vale, Carhampton and Withycombe, Crowcombe and Stogumber, Dunster, East Brendon, Holnicote, Minehead North, Minehead South, Old Cleeve, Porlock and Oare, Quantock Vale, Watchet, West Quantock, and Williton.

### Current

[edit]

Map of boundaries from 2024

Under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the re-established constituency was defined as being composed of the following as they existed on 1 December 2020:

* The District of Sedgemoor wards of: Berrow; Bridgwater Dunwear; Bridgwater Eastover; Bridgwater Fairfax; Bridgwater Hamp; Bridgwater Victoria; Bridgwater Westover; Bridgwater Wyndham; Burnham Central; Burnham North; Cannington and Wembdon; Highbridge and Burnham Marine; Huntspill and Pawlett; King's Isle; North Petherton; Puriton and Woolavington; Quantocks.[3]

With effect from 1 April 2023, the District of Sedgemoor was abolished and absorbed into the new unitary authority of Somerset.[4] Consequently, the constituency now comprises the following electoral divisions of Somerset from the 2024 general election:

* Brent (part); Bridgwater East and Bawdrip; Bridgwater North and Central; Bridgwater South; Bridgwater West; Burnham on Sea North; Cannington; Highbridge and Burnham South; Huntspill (majority); King Alfred (small part); North Petherton.[5][6]

It comprises:

* The bulk of the parts of the former District of Sedgemoor in the abolished Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency (74% of the electorate), mainly consisting of the town of Bridgwater itself.[7]
* Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge, previously in the now abolished constituency of Wells.[5]

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

* Constituency created (1295)

### Bridgwater borough, 1295–1870

[edit]

#### MPs 1295–1640

[edit]

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2008)

|

Parliament | First member | Second member

|
|

1377 | William Tomer[8] | John Sydenham[9]
1380 (Jan) | William Tomer [8] |
1383 (Oct) | William Tomer[8] |
1385 | William Tomer[8] |
1386 | John Sydenham | Richard Mayne[9]
1388 (Feb) | John Sydenham | Richard Mayne[9]
1388 (Sep) | John Palmer | John Wynd[9]
1390 (Jan) | William Tomer | John Palmer[9]
1390 (Nov) |
1391 | William Tomer | John Sydenham[9]
1393 | William Tomer | Robert Boson[9]
1394 | John Cole | John Palmer[9]
1395 | William Tomer | John Kedwelly[9]
1397 (Jan) | William Tomer | John Kedwelly[9]
1397 (Sep) | William Tomer | John Sydenham [9]
1399 | William Tomer | John Kedwelly [9]
1401 |
1402 | William Tomer | John Kedwelly[9]
1404 (Jan) |
1404 (Oct) |
1406 | William Tomer | William Gascoigne[9]
1407 | William Gascoigne | Richard Ward[9]
1410 | William Gascoigne | John Kedwelly[9]
1411 |
1413 (Feb) |
1413 (May) | William Gascoigne | William Gosse[9]
1414 (Apr) | William Gascoigne | Thomas Cave[9]
1414 (Nov) | William Gascoigne | John Kedwelly[9]
1415 |
1416 (Mar) |
1416 (Oct) |
1417 | William Gascoigne | John Kedwelly[9]
1419 | William Gascoigne | Richard Mayne[9]
1420 | William Gascoigne | Martin Jacob[9]
1421 (May) | James FitzJames | William Gascoigne[9]
1421 (Dec) | William Gascoigne | John Pitt[9]
1442 | William Dodesham | William Gascoigne
1449 | Thomas Driffield | John Maunsel
1453 | John Maunsel
1467 | James FitzJames
1467 | John Kendall (4 terms)
1472 | Sir Thomas Tremayle
1483 | John Hymerford | William Hody[10]
1510–1523 | No names known [11]
1529 | Henry Thornton | Hugh Trotter[11]
1536 | ?
1539 | ?
1542 | ?
1545 | Thomas Dyer | Alexander Popham[11]
1547 | Sir Thomas Dyer | Alexander Popham[11]
1553 (Mar) | Sir Thomas Dyer | Richard Gubby[11]
1553 (Oct)  | Sir Thomas Dyer | Nicholas Halswell
1554 (Apr)  | John Newport  | Robert Molyns (or Mullens) [12]
1554 (Nov)  | John Newport  | John Chapell
1555  | Thomas Dyer | Edmund Lyte
1558  | John Newport  | Robert Molyns (or Mullens)
1559  | Sir Thomas Dyer | Robert Molyns (or Mullens)
1563–1567  | John Edwards | Nicholas Halswell
1571  | Edward Popham
1572–1581
1584–1585  | Robert Blake
Parliament of 1586–1587  | John Court
Parliament of 1588–1589  | Alexander Popham
1593  | Robert Bocking | William Thomas
1597–1598  | Alexander Jones | Alexander Popham
1601  | Sir Francis Hastings
1604–1611  | Sir Nicholas Halswell | John Povey
Addled Parliament (1614) | Robert Halswell | Thomas Warre
1621–1622  | Roger Warre | Edward Popham
Happy Parliament (1624–1625)
Useless Parliament (1625) | Sir Arthur Lake
1625–1626
1628  | Thomas Smith | Sir Thomas Wroth
1629–1640 | No Parliament summoned

#### 1640–1868

[edit]

Year |  | First member[13] | First party |  | Second member[13] | Second party

|
|
|
|
|
|

April 1640 |  | Robert Blake |  |  | Edmund Wyndham[14] | Royalist
November 1640 |  | Sir Peter Wroth | Parliamentarian
February 1641  |  | Thomas Smith | Royalist
August 1642  | Smith disabled from sitting — seat vacant
May 1644  | Wroth died — seat vacant
1645  |  | Admiral Robert Blake[15] |  |  | Sir Thomas Wroth |
1653  | Bridgwater was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament
1654 |  | Admiral Robert Blake |  | Bridgwater had only one seat in the First and
Second Parliaments of the Protectorate
1656 |  | Sir Thomas Wroth |
January 1659 |  | John Wroth |
May 1659 | One seat vacant
April 1660  |  | Francis Rolle |
1661  |  | Edmund Wyndham |  |  | John Tynte |
November 1669  |  | Sir Francis Rolle |
December 1669  |  | Peregrine Palmer |
February 1679  |  | Sir Halswell Tynte |  |  | Sir Francis Rolle |
September 1679  |  | Ralph Stawell |
1681  |  | Sir John Malet |
1685  |  | Sir Francis Warre | Tory
1689  |  | Henry Bull | Tory
1692  |  | Robert Balch |
1695  |  | Nathaniel Palmer |  |  | Roger Hoar |
1698  |  | George Crane |
1699  |  | Sir Francis Warre | Tory
January 1701  |  | John Gilbert |  |  | George Balch | Tory
November 1701  |  | Sir Thomas Wroth |
1708  |  | George Dodington | Whig
1710  |  | Nathaniel Palmer | Tory
1713  |  | John Rolle |
1715  |  | George Dodington | Whig |  | Thomas Palmer | Tory
1720  |  | William Pitt |
1722  |  | George Dodington |
1727  |  | Sir Halswell Tynte | Tory
1731  |  | Thomas Palmer | Tory
1735  |  | Charles Wyndham | Tory
1741  |  | Vere Poulett | Tory
1747  |  | Peregrine Poulett | Tory
1753  |  | Robert Balch | Tory
1754  |  | The Earl of Egmont |
1761  |  | Edward Southwell |
1762  |  | Viscount Perceval[16] |
1763  |  | The Lord Coleraine |
1768  |  | Benjamin Allen[17] | Whig[18]
1769  |  | Anne Poulett | Tory[18]
1781  |  | John Acland | Tory[18]
1784  |  | Rear-Admiral Alexander Hood[19] | Tory[18]
1785  |  | Robert Thornton |
1790  |  | Major Vere Poulett[20] | Tory[18] |  | John Langston | Tory[18]
1796  |  | George Pocock | Tory[18] |  | Jeffreys Allen | Tory[18]
1804  |  | John Hudleston | Tory[18]
1806  |  | Major-General Vere Poulett | Whig[18] |  | John Langston | Whig[18]
1807  |  | William Thornton | Tory[18] |  | George Pocock | Tory[18]
1820  |  | Charles Kemeys-Tynte (1) | Whig[18][21]
1832  |  | William Tayleur | Whig[18]
1835  |  | John Temple Leader | Radical[18][22][23]
May 1837  |  | Henry Broadwood | Conservative[18]
August 1837  |  | Philip Courtenay | Conservative[18]
1841  |  | Thomas Seaton Forman | Conservative[18]
1847  |  | Charles Kemeys-Tynte (2) | Whig[24][25]
1852  |  | Brent Follett | Conservative
1857  |  | Alexander William Kinglake | Whig[26]
1859  |  | Liberal |  | Liberal
1865  |  | Henry Westropp[27] | Conservative
1866  |  | George Patton | Conservative
1866  |  | Philip Vanderbyl | Liberal
1869  | Writ suspended — both seats vacant [28]
1870  | Constituency abolished for corruption and incorporated into the West Somerset county division from 4 July 1870

### Bridgwater county constituency, 1885–2010; 2024–present

[edit]

* County division created (1885)

Year | Member[13] | Party

|
|

| 1885 | Edward Stanley | Conservative
| 1906 | Henry Montgomery | Liberal
| 1910 | Sir Robert Sanders | Unionist
| 1923 | William Morse | Liberal
| 1924 | Brooks Wood | Unionist
| 1929 | Reginald Croom-Johnson | Conservative
| 1938 by-election | Vernon Bartlett | Independent Progressive
| 1942  | Common Wealth
| 1945 | Independent Progressive
| 1950 | Sir Gerald Wills | Conservative
| 1970 by-election | Tom King | Conservative
| 2001 | Ian Liddell-Grainger | Conservative
| 2010 | constituency abolished, replaced by Bridgwater and West Somerset

* County division re-created (2024)

Election | Member | Party

|
|

| 2024 | Ashley Fox | Conservative

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Bridgwater[29] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Ashley Fox | 12,281  | 30.6  | −27.3
| Labour | Leigh Redman  | 10,932  | 27.2  | +6.5
| Reform UK | William Fagg  | 8,913  | 22.2  | N/A
| Liberal Democrats | Claire Sully  | 5,781  | 14.4  | −3.2
| Green | Charlie Graham  | 1,720  | 4.3  | +2.2
| Independent  | Pelé Barnes  | 334  | 0.8  | N/A
| Workers Party | Gregory Tanner  | 168  | 0.4  | N/A
Majority  | 1,349  | 3.4  | −33.8
Turnout | 40,129  | 56.1  | −6.9
Registered electors | 71,571  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −16.9  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

2019 notional result[30]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Conservative | 26,058 | 57.9
| Labour | 9,334 | 20.7
| Liberal Democrats | 7,932 | 17.6
| Green | 925 | 2.1
| Others | 755 | 1.7
Turnout | 45,004  | 63.0
Electorate | 71,418

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Bridgwater[31] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Ian Liddell-Grainger | 21,240  | 44.10  | +3.70
| Labour | Matthew Burchell  | 12,771  | 26.50  | −0.30
| Liberal Democrats | James Main  | 10,940  | 22.70  | −3.50
| UKIP | Raymond Weinstein  | 1,767  | 3.70  | +0.90
| Green | Charlie Graham  | 1,391  | 2.90  | New
Majority  | 8,469  | 17.60  | +7.20
Turnout | 48,109  | 63.50  | −0.90
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 2001: Bridgwater[32] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Ian Liddell-Grainger | 19,354  | 40.40  | +3.47
| Liberal Democrats | Ian Thorn  | 14,367  | 30.00  | −3.65
| Labour | Bill Monteith  | 12,803  | 26.80  | +2.05
| UKIP | Vicky Gardner  | 1,323  | 2.80  | New
Majority  | 4,987  | 10.40  | +7.12
Turnout | 47,847  | 64.40  | −10.01
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Bridgwater[33] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 20,174  | 36.93  | −9.83
| Liberal Democrats | Michael Hoban  | 18,378  | 33.65  | +3.96
| Labour | Roger Lavers  | 13,519  | 24.75  | +3.02
| Referendum | Fran Evens  | 2,551  | 4.67  | New
Majority  | 1,796  | 3.28  | −13.79
Turnout | 54,622  | 74.41  | −5.11
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1992: Bridgwater[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 26,610  | 46.76  | −4.76
| Liberal Democrats | WJ Revans  | 16,894  | 29.69  | −0.61
| Labour | PE James  | 12,365  | 21.73  | +3.54
| Green | G Dummett  | 746  | 1.31  | New
| Independent  | A Body  | 183  | 0.32  | New
| Natural Law | G Sanson  | 112  | 0.20  | New
Majority  | 9,716  | 17.07  | −4.15
Turnout | 56,910  | 79.52  | +1.34
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Bridgwater[35] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 27,177  | 51.52  | −0.74
| SDP | Christopher Clarke  | 15,982  | 30.30  | +0.30
| Labour | John Turner  | 9,594  | 18.19  | +0.45
Majority  | 11,195  | 21.22  | −1.05
Turnout | 52,753  | 78.18  | +3.38
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1983: Bridgwater[36] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 25,107  | 52.26  |
| SDP | Rosemary Farley  | 14,410  | 30.00  |
| Labour | Andrew May  | 8,524  | 17.74  |
Majority  | 10,697  | 22.26  |
Turnout | 48,041  | 74.80  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1970s

[edit]

General election 1979: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 31,259  | 54.0  | +9.7
| Labour | J Beasant  | 16,809  | 29.05  | −3.8
| Liberal | Christina Baron  | 9,793  | 16.9  | −5.5
Majority  | 14,450  | 25.0  | +13.5
Turnout | 57,861  | 79.2  | +2.0
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election October 1974: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 23,850  | 44.3  | +0.7
| Labour | A Mitchell  | 17,663  | 32.78  | +4.3
| Liberal | JHG Wyatt  | 12,077  | 22.4  | −4.4
| United Democratic  | SR Harrad  | 288  | 0.5  | New
Majority  | 6,187  | 11.5  | −2.6
Turnout | 53,878  | 77.2  | −5.0
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election February 1974: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 24,830  | 43.65  | −8.7
| Labour | R Undy  | 16,786  | 29.5  | −6.3
| Liberal | JHG Wyatt  | 15,269  | 26.8  | +14.9
Majority  | 8,044  | 14.1  | −2.4
Turnout | 56,885  | 82.25  | +5.2
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1970: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 26,685  | 52.3  | +7.9
| Labour | Raymond J Billington  | 18,224  | 35.8  | −2.3
| Liberal | Patrick M O'Loughlin  | 6,066  | 11.9  | −5.6
Majority  | 8,461  | 16.5  | +10.2
Turnout | 50,975  | 77.0  | −3.2
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.3  |
1970 Bridgwater by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Tom King | 25,687  | 55.5  | +11.1
| Labour | Richard Mayer  | 14,772  | 31.9  | −6.2
| Liberal | Patrick M O'Loughlin  | 5,832  | 12.6  | −4.9
Majority  | 10,915  | 23.6  | +17.3
Turnout | 46,291  | 70.3  | −9.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | +8.6  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

General election 1966: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 20,850  | 44.4  | −0.4
| Labour | Richard Mayer  | 17,864  | 38.1  | +6.6
| Liberal | Philip Watkins | 8,205  | 17.5  | −1.9
Majority  | 2,986  | 6.3  | −7.0
Turnout | 46,919  | 80.2  | −0.1
| Conservative hold | Swing | +3.5  |
General election 1964: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 20,822  | 44.8  | −5.6
| Labour | Norman J Hart  | 14,645  | 31.5  | −0.7
| Liberal | Philip Watkins | 9,009  | 19.4  | +2.1
| Independent | Michael L de V Hart  | 2,038  | 4.4  | New
Majority  | 6,177  | 13.3  | −4.9
Turnout | 46,514  | 80.3  | −1.5
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1950s

[edit]

General election 1959: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 23,002  | 50.44  |
| Labour | James Finnigan  | 14,706  | 32.25  |
| Liberal | Philip Watkins | 7,893  | 17.31  | New
Majority  | 8,296  | 18.19  |
Turnout | 45,601  | 81.77  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1955: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 24,887  | 59.17  |
| Labour | Albert E Sumbler  | 17,170  | 40.83  |
Majority  | 7,717  | 18.34  |
Turnout | 42,057  | 78.00  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1951: Bridgwater[37] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 25,365  | 56.34  |
| Labour Co-op | Norman E Carr  | 19,656  | 43.66  |
Majority  | 5,709  | 12.68  |
Turnout | 45,021  | 84.63  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1950: Bridgwater[38] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 21,732  | 48.84  |
| Labour Co-op | Norman E Carr  | 16,053  | 36.08  |
| Independent | Stephen King-Hall | 6,708  | 15.08  | New
Majority  | 5,679  | 12.76  | N/A
Turnout | 44,493  | 85.75  |
| Conservative gain from Independent Progressive | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1940s

[edit]

General election 1945: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Independent Progressive | Vernon Bartlett | 17,937  | 45.79  | N/A
| Conservative | Gerald Wills | 15,625  | 39.89  |
| Labour | Norman Corkhill  | 5,613  | 14.33  |
Majority  | 2,312  | 5.90  |
Turnout | 39,175  | 72.69  |
| Independent Progressive hold | Swing |  |

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 and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;

* Independent Progressive: Vernon Bartlett
* Conservative: Patrick Heathcoat Amery[39]

### Elections in the 1930s

[edit]

1938 Bridgwater by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Independent Progressive | Vernon Bartlett | 19,540  | 53.2  | New
| Conservative | Patrick Gerald Heathcoat-Amory  | 17,208  | 46.8  | −10.1
Majority  | 2,332  | 6.4  | N/A
Turnout | 36,748  | 82.3  | +9.6
| Independent Progressive gain from Conservative | Swing |  |
General election 1935: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Reginald Croom-Johnson | 17,939  | 56.9  | −18.6
| Liberal | Norman David Blake  | 7,370  | 23.4  | New
| Labour | Arthur W Loveys  | 6,240  | 19.8  | −2.7
Majority  | 10,569  | 33.5  | −21.5
Turnout | 31,549  | 72.7  | −1.1
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1931: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Reginald Croom-Johnson | 24,041  | 77.5  | +30.7
| Labour | James Musgrave Boltz  | 6,974  | 22.5  | +3.1
Majority  | 17,067  | 55.03  | +42.0
Turnout | 31,015  | 73.8  | −6.6
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1920s

[edit]

General election 1929: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Reginald Croom-Johnson | 15,440  | 46.8  | −5.9
| Liberal | Joseph William Molden  | 11,161  | 33.8  | −6.2
| Labour | James Musgrave Boltz  | 6,423  | 19.4  | +12.1
Majority  | 4,279  | 13.0  | +0.3
Turnout | 33,024  | 80.4  | −4.0
Registered electors | 41,068  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | +0.1  |
General election 1924: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Brooks Wood | 14,283  | 52.7  | +5.4
| Liberal | William Morse | 10,842  | 40.0  | −12.7
| Labour | James Musgrave Boltz  | 1,966  | 7.3  | New
Majority  | 3,441  | 12.7  | N/A
Turnout | 27,091  | 84.4  | +1.0
Registered electors | 32,111  |  |
| Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +9.1  |
General election 1923: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Morse | 13,778  | 52.7  | +6.3
| Unionist | Robert Sanders | 12,347  | 47.3  | +0.4
Majority  | 1,431  | 5.4  | N/A
Turnout | 26,125  | 83.4  | +5.2
Registered electors | 31,317  |  |
| Liberal gain from Unionist | Swing | +3.0  |
General election 1922: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | Robert Sanders | 11,240  | 46.9  | −21.7
| Liberal | William Morse | 11,121  | 46.4  | New
| Labour | Thomas Williams | 1,598  | 6.7  | −24.7
Majority  | 119  | 0.5  | −36.7
Turnout | 23,959  | 78.2  | +15.8
Registered electors | 30,657  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | −34.1  |

### Elections in the 1910s

[edit]

General election 1918: Bridgwater  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

C | Unionist | Robert Sanders | 12,587 | 68.6 | +10.9
| Labour | Sid Plummer  | 5,771  | 31.4  | New
Majority  | 6,816  | 37.2  | +21.8
Turnout | 18,358  | 62.4  |
Registered electors | 29,411  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | N/A |
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.
By-election, 1918: Bridgwater [40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert Sanders | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

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 from 1914 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

* Unionist: Robert Sanders
* Liberal: Philip Foale Rowsell

Sanders is appointed Treasurer of the Household, requiring him to seek re-election.

General election December 1910: Bridgwater [41] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert Sanders | 5,160  | 57.7  | −1.2
| Liberal | Harold C. Hicks  | 3,779  | 42.3  | +1.2
Majority  | 1,381  | 15.4  | −2.4
Turnout | 8,939  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −1.2  |
General election January 1910: Bridgwater [41] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Robert Sanders | 5,575  | 58.9  | +9.0
| Liberal | Harold C. Hicks  | 3,896  | 41.1  | −9.0
Majority  | 1,679  | 17.8  | 18.0
Turnout | 9,471  |  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +9.0  |

### Elections in the 1900s

[edit]

Montgomery General election 1906: Bridgwater[42] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Henry Montgomery | 4,422  | 50.1  | New
| Conservative | Robert Sanders | 4,405  | 49.9  | N/A
Majority  | 17  | 0.2  | N/A
Turnout | 8,827  | 86.7  | N/A
Registered electors | 10,180  |  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | N/A |
Edward Stanley General election 1900: Bridgwater [43] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Stanley | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

### Elections in the 1890s

[edit]

General election 1895: Bridgwater [43][40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Stanley | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1892: Bridgwater [43][40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Stanley | 4,555  | 57.5  | N/A
| Liberal | James Douglas Walker  | 3,362  | 42.5  | New
Majority  | 1,193  | 15.0  | N/A
Turnout | 7,917  | 77.5  | N/A
Registered electors | 10,220  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | N/A |

### Elections in the 1880s

[edit]

General election 1886: Bridgwater [43][40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Stanley | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1885: Bridgwater [43][40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Stanley | 3,935  | 50.6  |
| Liberal | Edwin Brook Cely Trevilian  | 3,835  | 49.4  |
Majority  | 100  | 1.2  |
Turnout | 7,770  | 78.8  |
Registered electors | 9,861  |  |
| Conservative win (new seat)

### Elections in the 1860s

[edit]

General election 1868: Bridgwater (2 seats)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Alexander William Kinglake | 731  | 26.2  | −5.1
| Liberal | Philip Vanderbyl | 725  | 26.0  | −2.8
| Conservative | Henry Westropp | 681  | 24.4  | +4.4
| Conservative | Charles William Gray[45] | 650  | 23.3  | +3.3
Majority  | 44  | 1.6  | N/A
Turnout | 1,394 (est)  | 93.0 (est)  | +3.7
Registered electors | 1,499  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −4.2  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | −3.6  |

A Royal Commission found extensive bribery in the seat and, from 4 July 1870, the writ was suspended, both MPs were unseated, and the electorate was absorbed into West Somerset.

By-election, 12 Jul 1866: Bridgwater (1 seat)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Philip Vanderbyl | 312  | 53.2  | −6.9
| Conservative | George Patton | 275  | 46.8  | +6.9
Majority  | 37  | 6.4  | N/A
Turnout | 587  | 91.1  | +1.8
Registered electors | 644  |  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | −6.9  |
By-election, 7 Jun 1866: Bridgwater (1 seat)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | George Patton | 301  | 50.7  | +10.8
| Liberal | Walter Bagehot[46] | 293  | 49.3  | −10.8
Majority  | 8  | 1.4  | −9.7
Turnout | 594  | 92.2  | +2.9
Registered electors | 644  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +10.8  |

Patton was appointed Lord Advocate, requiring a by-election.

General election 1865: Bridgwater (2 seats)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Henry Westropp | 328  | 39.9  | −3.6
| Liberal | Alexander William Kinglake | 257  | 31.3  | +3.6
| Liberal | John Shelley | 237  | 28.8  | 0.0
Majority  | 91  | 11.1  | N/A
Turnout | 575 (est)  | 89.3 (est)  | +7.3
Registered electors | 644  |  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | −3.6  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +2.7  |

Westropp's election was declared void on petition on 25 April 1866, causing a by-election.

### Elections in the 1850s

[edit]

General election 1859: Bridgwater (2 seats)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | 290  | 28.8  | −10.8
| Liberal | Alexander William Kinglake | 279  | 27.7  | −8.4
| Conservative | Henry Padwick[47] | 230  | 22.8  | +10.6
| Conservative | Henry Westropp | 208  | 20.7  | +8.5
Majority  | 49  | 4.9  | −6.9
Turnout | 504 (est)  | 82.0 (est)  | −6.0
Registered electors | 614  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −10.2  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −9.0  |
General election 1857: Bridgwater (2 seats)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | 330  | 39.6  | +10.8
| Whig | Alexander William Kinglake | 301  | 36.1  | +25.4
| Conservative | Brent Follett | 203  | 24.3  | −20.4
Majority  | 98  | 11.8  | +8.9
Turnout | 519 (est)  | 88.0 (est)  | +11.5
Registered electors | 589  |  |
| Whig hold | Swing | +10.5  |
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +17.8  |
General election 1852: Bridgwater (2 seats)[44][48] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | 271  | 28.8  | −17.3
| Conservative | Brent Follett | 244  | 25.9  | +10.4
| Conservative | John Clavell Mansel[49][50] | 177  | 18.8  | +3.3
| Whig | Anthony Henley | 149  | 15.8  | N/A
| Whig | Alexander William Kinglake | 101  | 10.7  | N/A
Turnout | 471 (est)  | 68.5 (est)  | −12.4
Registered electors | 688  |  |
Majority  | 27  | 2.9  | −12.2
| Whig hold | Swing | −15.5  |
Majority  | 95  | 10.0  | +1.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | +9.5  |

### Elections in the 1840s

[edit]

General election 1847: Bridgwater (2 seats)[44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | 395  | 46.1  | −0.7
| Conservative | Henry Broadwood | 265  | 31.0  | −22.2
| Radical | Stephen Gaselee[51] | 196  | 22.9  | N/A
Turnout | 428 (est)  | 80.9 (est)  | −7.3
Registered electors | 529  |  |
Majority  | 130  | 15.1  | N/A
| Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.2  |
Majority  | 69  | 8.1  | +5.3
| Conservative hold | Swing | −10.9  |
General election 1841: Bridgwater (2 seats)[18][44][52] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Henry Broadwood | 280  | 26.8  | −22.8
| Conservative | Thomas Seaton Forman | 276  | 26.4  | −22.8
| Whig | Edward Simcoe Drewe[53] | 247  | 23.6  | +22.7
| Whig | Augustin Robinson[54] | 242  | 23.2  | +22.8
Majority  | 29  | 2.8  | −45.5
Turnout | 525  | 88.2  | +37.3
Registered electors | 595  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −22.8  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −22.8  |

### Elections in the 1830s

[edit]

General election 1837: Bridgwater (2 seats)[18][44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Henry Broadwood | 279  | 49.6  | +25.7
| Conservative | Philip Courtenay | 277  | 49.2  | +28.8
| Whig | Thomas Lethbridge | 5  | 0.9  | −13.9
| Whig | Richard Brinsley Sheridan[55] | 2  | 0.4  | −14.4
Majority  | 272  | 48.3  | N/A
Turnout | 284  | 50.9  | −21.0
Registered electors | 558  |  |
| Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +19.9  |
| Conservative gain from Radical | Swing | +21.5  |
By-election, 16 May 1837: Bridgwater[18][44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Henry Broadwood | 279  | 55.8  | +11.5
| Whig | Richard Brinsley Sheridan[56] | 221  | 44.2  | +14.7
Majority  | 58  | 11.6  | N/A
Turnout | 500  | 89.6  | +17.7
Registered electors | 558  |  |
| Conservative gain from Radical | Swing | −1.6  |
General election 1835: Bridgwater (2 seats)[18][44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | 234  | 29.5  | N/A
| Radical | John Temple Leader | 208  | 26.2  | N/A
| Conservative | Henry Broadwood | 190  | 23.9  | New
| Conservative | Francis Mountjoy Martyn[57] | 162  | 20.4  | New
Turnout | 309  | 71.9  | N/A
Registered electors | 430  |  |
Majority  | 26  | 3.3  | N/A
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
Majority  | 18  | 2.3  | N/A
| Radical gain from Whig | Swing | N/A |

Leader resigned, by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, in order to contest a by-election at Westminster, causing a by-election.

General election 1832: Bridgwater (2 seats)[18][44] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | Unopposed
| Whig | William Tayleur | Unopposed
Registered electors | 484  |  |
| Whig hold
| Whig gain from Tory
General election 1831: Bridgwater (2 seats)[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | 337  | 44.8  | N/A
| Tory | William Astell | 213  | 28.3  | N/A
| Radical | Henry Shirley  | 202  | 26.9  | N/A
Turnout | 430  |  | N/A
Majority  | 124  | 16.5  | N/A
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
Majority  | 11  | 1.4  | N/A
| Whig hold | Swing | N/A |
General election 1830: Bridgwater (2 seats)[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Tory | William Astell | Unopposed
| Whig | Charles Kemeys-Tynte | Unopposed
| Tory hold
| Whig hold

## See also

[edit]

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Somerset

## Notes and references

[edit]

1. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – South West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
2. ^ 2023 review South West Boundary Commission for England
3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 7 South West region.
4. ^ "The Somerset (Structural Changes) Order 2022".
5. ^ a b "New Seat Details - Bridgwater". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
6. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 7 South West region.
7. ^ "Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK?".
8. ^ a b c d "THOMER (TOMERE), William, of Bridgwater, Som". History of Parliament Online. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
10. ^ Baker, J. H. "Hody, Sir William". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/13456. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
11. ^ a b c d e "History of Parliament". History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
12. ^ Browne Willis gives Molyns' name only tentatively for 1555
13. ^ a b c "Bridgwater". The History of Parliament. The History of Parliament Trust. Retrieved 24 September 2012.
14. ^ Expelled as a monopolist, January 1641
15. ^ Cobbett lists the second MP elected in 1645 as John Palmer, MD, and gives Blake as MP for Taunton. Brunton & Pennington agree with the Dictionary of National Biography in naming Blake as MP for Bridgwater and Palmer for Taunton.
16. ^ Perceval was initially declared re-elected in 1768, but on petition he was judged not to have been duly elected and his opponent, Poulett, was seated in his place.
17. ^ Allen was initially declared re-elected in 1780, but on petition he was judged not to have been duly elected and his opponent, Acland, was seated in his place.
18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Stooks Smith, Henry (1845). The Parliaments of England, from 1st George I., to the Present Time. Vol II: Oxfordshire to Wales Inclusive. London: Simpkin, Marshall, & Co. pp. 28–31. Retrieved 28 October 2018 - via Google Books.28-31&rft.pub=Simpkin,+Marshall,+&+Co.&rft.date=1845&rft.aulast=Stooks+Smith&rft.aufirst=Henry&rft_id=https://books.google.com/books?id=HacQAAAAYAAJ&pg;=PA28&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Bridgwater+(UK+Parliament+constituency)" class="Z3988">
19. ^ Vice-Admiral from 1787
20. ^ Lieutenant-Colonel from 1793, Colonel from 1796
21. ^ Jenkins, Terry (2009). "KEMEYS TYNTE, Charles Kemeys (1778–1860), of Halswell House, Goathurst, Som.; Cefn Mably, Glam.; Burhill, nr. Cobham, Surr. and 16 Hill Street, Hanover Square, Mdx". The History of Parliament. Retrieved 9 September 2019.
22. ^ "John Bull". 30 July 1837. pp. 7–9. Retrieved 24 October 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.7-9&rft.date=1837-07-30&rft_id=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001945/18370730/020/0007&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Bridgwater+(UK+Parliament+constituency)" class="Z3988">
23. ^ "County Chronicle, Surrey Herald and Weekly Advertiser for Kent". 1 August 1837. pp. 3–4. Retrieved 24 October 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.3-4&rft.date=1837-08-01&rft_id=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000931/18370801/017/0004&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Bridgwater+(UK+Parliament+constituency)" class="Z3988">
24. ^ "The Elections". Morning Post. 30 July 1847. p. 4. Retrieved 18 April 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
25. ^ "Bridgwater". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 31 July 1847. p. 4. Retrieved 18 April 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
26. ^ Porter, Mary (1898). "The Lions of London". Annals of a Publishing House: John Blackwood (PDF). Edinburgh: William Blackwood and Sons. p. 127.
27. ^ The election of Westropp was declared void and a by-election was held
28. ^ The election of Kinglake and Vanderbyl in 1868 declared void. The writ (of election) was suspended and a Royal Commission was appointed, which reported that it had found proof of extensive bribery.
29. ^ "Election of a Member of Parliament to the Bridgwater Constituency - Notice of Poll and Persons Nominated". Somerset Council. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
30. ^ "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.
31. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
32. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
33. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
34. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
35. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
36. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
37. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1951.
38. ^ The Times' Guide to the House of Commons. 1950.
39. ^ Western Daily Press, 13 Jan 1939
40. ^ a b c d e Craig, FWS, ed. (1974). British Parliamentary Election Results: 1885-1918. London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 9781349022984.
41. ^ a b Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916
42. ^ British parliamentary election results, 1885–1918 (Craig)
43. ^ a b c d e The Liberal Year Book, 1907
44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832-1885 (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. pp. 61–62\. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.61-62&rft.edition=1st&rft.pub=Macmillan+Press&rft.date=1977&rft.isbn=978-1-349-02349-3&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Bridgwater+(UK+Parliament+constituency)" class="Z3988">
45. ^ "Bridgwater Election". Western Daily Press. 10 October 1868. p. 3. Retrieved 29 January 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
46. ^ "Election Intelligence". London Daily News. 11 July 1866. p. 2. Retrieved 29 January 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
47. ^ "Bridgwater Mercury". 20 April 1859. p. 5. Retrieved 18 April 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
48. ^ "Election Talk". The Spectator. 6 March 1852. p. 6. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
49. ^ "The General Election". Bristol Times and Mirror. 10 July 1852. p. 2. Retrieved 18 April 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
50. ^ "Election Intelligence". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 10 July 1852. pp. 6–7. Retrieved 18 April 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.6-7&rft.date=1852-07-10&rft_id=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000267/18520710/035/0006&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Bridgwater+(UK+Parliament+constituency)" class="Z3988">
51. ^ "Bridgwater". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 31 July 1847. p. 4. Retrieved 28 October 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
52. ^ "General Election". Western Times. 3 July 1841. p. 3. Retrieved 28 October 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
53. ^ "Local Elections". Exeter and Plymouth Gazette. 3 July 1841. p. 3. Retrieved 28 October 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
54. ^ "The Elections". Dorset County Chronicle. 1 July 1841. p. 4. Retrieved 28 October 2018 - via British Newspaper Archive.
55. ^ "The Close of the Elections". Bell's Weekly Messenger. 14 August 1837. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 9 September 2019 - via British Newspaper Archive.2-3&rft.date=1837-08-14&rft_id=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001286/18370814/026/0003&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Bridgwater+(UK+Parliament+constituency)" class="Z3988">
56. ^ "Close of the Election". Belfast Commercial Chronicle. 20 May 1837. p. 2. Retrieved 9 September 2019 - via British Newspaper Archive.
57. ^ Gapper, Anthony. "List of the Electors at the Bridgwater Election" (PDF). Bridgwater Museum. Retrieved 9 September 2019.

## Sources

[edit]

* Boundaries of Parliamentary Constituencies 1885–1972, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Parliamentary Reference Publications 1972)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1977)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1974)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1918–1949, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press, revised edition 1977)
* British Parliamentary Election Results 1950–1973, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Parliamentary Research Services 1983)
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament: Volume I 1832–1885, edited by M. Stenton (The Harvester Press 1976)
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, Volume II 1886–1918, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1978)
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, Volume III 1919–1945, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1979)
* Who's Who of British Members of Parliament, Volume IV 1945–1979, edited by M. Stenton and S. Lees (Harvester Press 1981)
* Robert Beatson, A Chronological Register of Both Houses of Parliament (London: Longman, Hurst, Res & Orme, 1807) [1]
* D Brunton & D H Pennington, Members of the Long Parliament (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954)
* Cobbett's Parliamentary history of England, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the year 1803 (London: Thomas Hansard, 1808) [2]
* Esther S Cope and Willson H Coates (eds), Camden Fourth Series, Volume 19: Proceedings of the Short Parliament of 1640 (London: Royal Historical Society, 1977)
* Maija Jansson (ed.), Proceedings in Parliament, 1614 (House of Commons) (Philadelphia: American Philosophical Society, 1988) [3]
* J E Neale, The Elizabethan House of Commons (London: Jonathan Cape, 1949)
* 'Bridgwater: Parliamentary representation' in Victoria County History of Somerset: Volume 6 (1992)

## External links

[edit]

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

* v
* t
* e

Somerset constituencies

Current|

* Bath
* Bridgwater
* Frome and East Somerset
* Glastonbury and Somerton
* North East Somerset and Hanham
* North Somerset
* Taunton and Wellington
* Tiverton and Minehead
* Wells and Mendip Hills
* Weston-super-Mare
* Yeovil

Historic|

* Somerset (1290–1832)

* Taunton (1295–2010)
* Wells (1295–2024)
* Minehead (1563–1832)
* Ilchester (1621–1832)
* Milborne Port (1628–1832)
* Frome (1832–1950)
* Mid Somerset (1868–1885)
* East Somerset (1832–1918)
* West Somerset (1832–1918)
* South Somerset (1885–1918)
* Wellington (1885–1918)
* Somerton and Frome (1983–2024)
* Woodspring (1983–2010)
* Bridgwater and West Somerset (2010–2024)
* North East Somerset (2010–2024)
* Taunton Deane (2010–2024)

* v
* t
* e

Constituencies in South West England (58)

Labour (24)|

* Bournemouth East
* Bournemouth West
* Bristol East
* Bristol North East
* Bristol North West
* Bristol South
* Camborne and Redruth
* Exeter
* Filton and Bradley Stoke
* Forest of Dean
* Gloucester
* North East Somerset and Hanham
* North Somerset
* Plymouth Moor View
* Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
* Poole
* South Dorset
* South East Cornwall
* St Austell and Newquay
* Stroud
* Swindon North
* Swindon South
* Truro and Falmouth
* Weston-super-Mare

Liberal Democrats (22)|

* Bath
* Cheltenham
* Chippenham
* Frome and East Somerset
* Glastonbury and Somerton
* Honiton and Sidmouth
* Melksham and Devizes
* Mid Dorset and North Poole
* Newton Abbot
* North Cornwall
* North Devon
* South Cotswolds
* South Devon
* St Ives
* Taunton and Wellington
* Tewkesbury
* Thornbury and Yate
* Tiverton and Minehead
* Torbay
* Wells and Mendip Hills
* West Dorset
* Yeovil

Conservative (11)|

* Bridgwater
* Central Devon
* Christchurch
* East Wiltshire
* Exmouth and Exeter East
* North Cotswolds
* North Dorset
* Salisbury
* South West Devon
* South West Wiltshire
* Torridge and Tavistock

Green (1)|

* Bristol Central

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template