Folkestone and Hythe (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1950 onwards

Folkestone and Hythe

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Interactive map of boundaries from 2024

Boundary of Folkestone and Hythe in South East England

County| Kent
Electorate| 70,023 (2023)[1]
Major settlements|

* Folkestone
* Hythe

Current constituency
Created| 1950
Member of Parliament| Tony Vaughan (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from|

* Ashford
* Canterbury
* Hythe

Folkestone and Hythe (/ˈfoʊkstən ... ˈhaɪð/) is a constituency[n 1] in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Tony Vaughan, a Labour MP.[n 2]

Until 2024, Folkestone and Hythe had elected a Conservative MP at every general election since its creation 1950, as had the earlier Hythe constituency since the late 19th century; it was therefore regarded as a Conservative safe seat. However, in 2024 it was won for the first time by the Labour Party.

## Constituency profile

[edit]

Folkestone and Hythe consists of a hilly swathe of East Kent including the coastal urban area of Folkestone and Hythe. The rural communities of New Romney, Lydd, Dymchurch, Lyminge and Elham contain significant farming communities, commuters to towns and business parks, including a small percentage to London and a large retired population.[2]

## Boundaries

[edit]

Map of boundaries 2010–2024

1950–1983: The Boroughs of Folkestone, Hythe, Lydd, and New Romney, and the Rural Districts of Elham and Romney Marsh.

1983–2010: The District of Shepway.

2010–2024: The District of Shepway, and the Borough of Ashford ward of Saxon Shore.

2024–present: The District of Folkestone and Hythe wards of Broadmead, Cheriton, East Folkestone, Folkestone Central, Folkestone Harbour, Hythe, Hythe Rural, New Romney, Romney Marsh, Sandgate & West Folkestone, and Walland & Denge Marsh.[3]

Electorate reduced to bring it within the permitted range by transferring out the North Downs area in the north, along with the parts in the Borough of Ashford, primarily to the reconfigured constituency of Ashford.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

The current Member of Parliament is Tony Vaughan of the Labour Party who was elected at the 2024 general election. Vaughan's predecessors for the seat were Damian Collins (served 2010–2024) and Michael Howard (served 1983–2010). Howard held a number of political posts during his career in Parliament, most prominently as Home Secretary from 1993 to 1997 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2003 to 2005.

Election | Member[4] | Party

|
|

| 1950 | Harry Mackeson | Conservative
| 1959 | Albert Costain | Conservative
| 1983 | Michael Howard | Conservative
| 2010 | Damian Collins | Conservative
| 2024 | Tony Vaughan | Labour

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Folkestone and Hythe[5] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Tony Vaughan | 15,020  | 34.7  | +7.9
| Conservative | Damian Collins | 11,291  | 26.1  | −30.2
| Reform UK | William Wright  | 10,685  | 24.7  | N/A
| Green | Marianne Brett  | 3,954  | 9.1  | +4.2
| Liberal Democrats | Larry Ngan  | 1,736  | 4.0  | −6.0
| TUSC | Momtaz Khanom  | 249  | 0.6  | N/A
| Fairer Voting Party | David Allen  | 240  | 0.6  | N/A
| Socialist (GB) | Andy Thomas  | 71  | 0.2  | +0.1
Majority  | 3,729  | 8.6  | N/A
Turnout | 43,246  | 61.7  | –2.3
Registered electors | 70,056  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 19.1  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

2019 notional result[6]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Conservative | 25,227 | 56.3
| Labour | 11,988 | 26.8
| Liberal Democrats | 4,481 | 10.0
| Green | 2,184 | 4.9
| Others | 915 | 2.1
Turnout | 44,795  | 64.0
Electorate | 70,023
General election 2019: Folkestone and Hythe [7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Collins | 35,483  | 60.1  | +5.4
| Labour | Laura Davison  | 14,146  | 24.0  | −4.5
| Liberal Democrats | Simon Bishop  | 5,755  | 9.8  | +2.6
| Green | Georgina Treloar  | 2,706  | 4.6  | +0.4
| Independent | Henry Bolton | 576  | 1.0  | N/A
| SDP | Colin Menniss  | 190  | 0.3  | N/A
| Young People's | Rohen Kapur  | 80  | 0.1  | N/A
| Socialist (GB) | Andy Thomas  | 69  | 0.1  | N/A
Majority  | 21,337  | 36.1  | +9.9
Turnout | 59,005  | 66.8  | −1.6
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.0  |
General election 2017: Folkestone and Hythe[8] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Collins | 32,197  | 54.7  | +6.8
| Labour | Laura Davison  | 16,786  | 28.5  | +14.1
| Liberal Democrats | Lynne Beaumont  | 4,222  | 7.2  | −1.7
| UKIP | Stephen Priestley  | 2,565  | 4.4  | −18.4
| Green | Martin Whybrow  | 2,498  | 4.2  | −1.2
| Independent | David Plumstead  | 493  | 0.8  | N/A
| Independent | Naomi Slade  | 114  | 0.2  | N/A
Majority  | 15,411  | 26.2  | +1.1
Turnout | 58,875  | 68.4  | +2.6
| Conservative hold | Swing | -3.7  |
General election 2015: Folkestone and Hythe[9][10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Collins | 26,323  | 47.9  | −1.5
| UKIP | Harriet Yeo[11] | 12,526  | 22.8  | +18.2
| Labour | Claire Jeffrey[12] | 7,939  | 14.4  | +3.6
| Liberal Democrats | Lynne Beaumont[13] | 4,882  | 8.9  | −21.4
| Green | Martin Whybrow[14] | 2,956  | 5.4  | +4.2
| TUSC | Seth Cruse  | 244  | 0.4  | N/A
| Young People's | Rohen Kapur[15] | 72  | 0.1  | N/A
| Socialist (GB) | Andy Thomas [16] | 68  | 0.1  | N/A
Majority  | 13,797  | 25.1  | +6.0
Turnout | 55,010  | 65.8  | −1.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | −9.9  |

See also: Opinion polling in United Kingdom constituencies, 2010–15 § Folkestone and Hythe

General election 2010: Folkestone and Hythe[17][18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Damian Collins | 26,109  | 49.4  | −4.5
| Liberal Democrats | Lynne Beaumont  | 15,987  | 30.3  | +0.7
| Labour | Donald Worsley  | 5,719  | 10.8  | −1.8
| UKIP | Frank McKenna  | 2,439  | 4.6  | +3.3
| BNP | Harry Williams  | 1,662  | 3.1  | N/A
| Green | Penny Kemp  | 637  | 1.2  | −0.3
| Independent | David Plumstead  | 247  | 0.5  | +0.5
Majority  | 10,122  | 19.1  | −4.9
Turnout | 52,800  | 67.7  | −1.0
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.6  |

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Howard | 26,161  | 53.9  | +8.9
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Carroll  | 14,481  | 29.9  | −2.2
| Labour | Maureen Tomison  | 6,053  | 12.5  | −7.7
| Green | Hazel Dawe  | 688  | 1.4  | N/A
| UKIP | Petrina Holdsworth | 619  | 1.3  | −1.3
| Monster Raving Loony | Lord Toby Jug | 175  | 0.4  | N/A
| Get Britain Back  | Rodney Hylton-Potts  | 153  | 0.3  | N/A
| Senior Citizens | Grahame Leon-Smith  | 151  | 0.3  | N/A
| Peace and Progress | Sylvia Dunn  | 22  | 0.0  | N/A
Majority  | 11,680  | 24.0  | +11.1
Turnout | 48,503  | 68.4  | +4.3
| Conservative hold | Swing | +5.6  |
General election 2001: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Howard | 20,645  | 45.0  | +6.0
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Carroll  | 14,738  | 32.1  | +5.2
| Labour | Albert Catterall  | 9,260  | 20.2  | −4.7
| UKIP | John Baker  | 1,212  | 2.6  | +1.9
Majority  | 5,907  | 12.9  | +0.8
Turnout | 45,855  | 64.1  | −8.6
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.4  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Howard | 20,313  | 39.0  | −13.3
| Liberal Democrats | David Laws | 13,981  | 26.9  | −8.4
| Labour | Peter Doherty  | 12,939  | 24.9  | +12.8
| Referendum | John Aspinall | 4,188  | 8.0  | N/A
| UKIP | John Baker  | 378  | 0.7  | N/A
| Socialist Alternative | Eric Segal  | 182  | 0.4  | N/A
| Country Field and Shooting Sports  | Raymond Saint  | 69  | 0.1  | N/A
Majority  | 6,332  | 12.1  | −4.9
Turnout | 52,050  | 72.7  | −6.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.5  |
General election 1992: Folkestone and Hythe[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Howard | 27,437  | 52.3  | −3.1
| Liberal Democrats | Linda W. Cufley  | 18,527  | 35.3  | −2.0
| Labour | Peter Doherty  | 6,347  | 12.1  | +4.7
| Natural Law | Anthony Hobbs  | 123  | 0.2  | N/A
Majority  | 8,910  | 17.0  | −1.1
Turnout | 52,434  | 79.6  | +1.3
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.6  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Howard | 27,915  | 55.4  | −1.5
| Liberal | John MacDonald  | 18,789  | 37.3  | +4.7
| Labour | Vidya Anand  | 3,720  | 7.4  | −2.4
Majority  | 9,126  | 18.1  | −6.2
Turnout | 50,424  | 78.3  | +8.7
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1983: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Michael Howard | 27,261  | 56.9  | +1.2
| Liberal | John MacDonald  | 15,591  | 32.6  | +10.1
| Labour | Leslie Lawrie  | 4,700  | 9.8  | −11.0
| Independent  | Philip Todd  | 318  | 0.7  | N/A
Majority  | 11,670  | 24.3  | −8.9
Turnout | 47,870  | 69.6  | −3.0
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1970s

[edit]

General election 1979: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 26,837  | 55.74  |
| Liberal | Bernard Budd | 10,817  | 22.47  |
| Labour | GJ Priestman  | 10,015  | 20.8  |
| National Front | M Lavine  | 478  | 0.99  | N/A
Majority  | 16,020  | 33.2  | +14.6
Turnout | 48,147  | 72.6  | +2.6
| Conservative hold | Swing | +7.3  |
General election October 1974: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 20,930  | 46.18  |
| Liberal | Bernard Budd | 12,488  | 27.55  |
| Labour | MJS Butler  | 11,639  | 25.68  |
| Independent  | Harold W. Button  | 265  | 0.58  | N/A
Majority  | 8,442  | 18.63  |
Turnout | 45,322  | 70.03  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election February 1974: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 23,400  | 47.08  |
| Liberal | Bernard Budd | 14,890  | 29.96  | N/A
| Labour | MJS Butler  | 11,412  | 22.96  |
Majority  | 8,510  | 17.12  |
Turnout | 49,702  | 77.31  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1970: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 27,031  | 64.33  |
| Labour | Nicholas A Hyman  | 13,772  | 32.77  |
| Independent  | Harold W Button  | 1,219  | 2.90  | N/A
Majority  | 13,259  | 31.56  |
Turnout | 42,022  | 68.81  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

General election 1966: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 22,964  | 59.51  |
| Labour | John Horam | 15,562  | 40.39  |
Majority  | 7,402  | 19.22  |
Turnout | 38,526  | 70.60  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1964: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 23,587  | 62.23  |
| Labour | Michael J. Stewart  | 14,314  | 37.77  |
Majority  | 9,273  | 24.46  |
Turnout | 37,901  | 70.99  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1950s

[edit]

General election 1959: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Albert Costain | 21,726  | 56.54  |
| Labour | W Edgar Simpkins  | 9,346  | 24.32  |
| Liberal | Robert D Emerson  | 7,351  | 19.13  | N/A
Majority  | 12,380  | 32.22  |
Turnout | 38,423  | 76.41  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1955: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Harry Mackeson | 23,851  | 64.99  |
| Labour | Leslie Leonard Reeves  | 12,849  | 35.01  |
Majority  | 11,002  | 29.98  |
Turnout | 36,700  | 72.83  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1951: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Harry Mackeson | 25,792  | 64.87  |
| Labour | I Rhys Jones  | 13,968  | 35.13  |
Majority  | 11,824  | 29.74  |
Turnout | 39,760  | 78.95  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1950: Folkestone and Hythe  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Harry Mackeson | 23,767  | 58.22  |
| Labour | Moss Murray  | 13,885  | 34.02  |
| Liberal | Ray Ward Bateson  | 3,168  | 7.76  |
Majority  | 9,882  | 24.20  |
Turnout | 40,820  | 83.24  |
| 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. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – South East". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
2. ^ "Local statistics – Office for National Statistics". www.ons.gov.uk.
3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region.
4. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "F"
5. ^ "Folkestone and Hythe - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
6. ^ "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.
7. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
8. ^ "General Election 2017 Candidates for Folkestone and Hythe". Kent Online. Archived from the original on 10 October 2019. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
9. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
10. ^ "Tories holds Folkestone and Hythe, with Ukip second". Kent Online. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
11. ^ "Harriet Yeo to stand as UKIP candidate". folkestone-status.
12. ^ "Claire Jeffrey Labour Candidate". 16 April 2015. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021 - via YouTube.
13. ^ "Lynne Beaumont". Folkestone and Hythe Liberal Democrats.
14. ^ "Martin Edward Whybrow for Folkestone and Hythe in the 2017 General Election". Who Can I Vote For? by Democracy Club.
15. ^ Hillman, Nick (14 March 2015). "What do the 'Young People's Party' promise students?". HEPI. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
16. ^ "General Election – Campaign News" (Press release). The Socialist Party of Great Britain. 15 January 2015. Archived from the original on 27 June 2015.
17. ^ Election result, 2010 (UKPollingReport)
18. ^ Election result, 2010 (BBC)
19. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.

## Sources

[edit]

* Election result, 2005 (BBC)
* Election results 1997–2001 (BBC)
* Election results 1997–2001 (Election Demon)
* Election results 1992–2010 (The Guardian)

## External links

[edit]

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

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Preceded by

Chingford and Woodford Green

|  Constituency represented by the leader of the opposition
2003–2005  | Succeeded by

Witney

* v
* t
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Green (1)|

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* v
* t
* e

Folkestone

People|

* List of people from Folkestone

Political|

* Folkestone & Hythe District
* Folkestone and Hythe constituency

Education|

* The Harvey Grammar School
* Folkestone School for Girls
* Folkestone Academy
* K College
* Turner Free School
* University Centre Folkestone

Transport|

* Folkestone West railway station
* Folkestone Central railway station
* Folkestone Harbour railway station
* Folkestone East railway station
* M20 motorway
* Channel Tunnel
* Folkestone Harbour

Sport, arts and leisure|

* Folkestone Invicta F.C.
* Folkestone Sports Centre
* Folkestone Triennial
* Leas Cliff Hall
* Tower Theatre
* Folkestone & Hythe Operatic & Dramatic Society
* Folkestone White Horse
* Leas Lift

Media|

* Folkestone Herald
* Kentish Express
* KMFM Shepway and White Cliffs Country
* Radio Folkestone

Historical events|

* 1934 Hillman's Airways de Havilland Dragon Rapide crash
* 1954 Swissair Convair CV-240 crash
* 2007 Kent earthquake

Twin towns|

* Boulogne-sur-Mer
* Middelburg
* Étaples

Authority control databases: People |

* UK Parliament

|

51°04′N 1°02′E﻿ / ﻿51.06°N 1.03°E﻿ / 51.06; 1.03
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