Macclesfield (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1885 onwards

Macclesfield

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundary of Macclesfield in North West England

County| Cheshire
Electorate| 75,881 (2023)[1]
Major settlements| Macclesfield, Poynton, Bollington and Prestbury
Current constituency
Created| 1885
Member of Parliament| Tim Roca (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from| East Cheshire
1832–1885
Seats| Two
Type of constituency| Borough constituency
Created from| Cheshire
Replaced by| East Cheshire

Macclesfield is a constituency[n 1] in Cheshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Tim Roca, a member of the Labour Party.[n 2]

## History 1832–1885

[edit]

Macclesfield was created as a two-member parliamentary borough by the Reform Act 1832. This continued until 1880 when, after problems at the general election that year, it was decided to declare the election void and suspend the writ of election (so no by-election could take place).

In September 1880 a Royal Commission was appointed to investigate further. A report of March 1881 confirmed the allegations of corruption. As a result, the borough constituency was disenfranchised, taking effect on 25 June 1885, and the town was absorbed into the East Cheshire constituency.

## Boundaries since 1885

[edit]

Map of current boundaries

In 1885, under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the Macclesfield constituency was recreated with extended boundaries as one of eight new divisions of the county of Cheshire. From the 1885 general election it has continued to elect one MP until the present day.

1885–1918: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Northwich and Prestbury.[2]

1918–1950: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, the Urban Districts of Bredbury and Romiley, Buglawton, Compstall, Marple, and Yeardsley-cum-Whaley, the Rural District of Disley, in the Rural District of Congleton the civil parishes of Hulme Walfield and Newbold Astbury, and part of the Rural District of Macclesfield.[3]

Expanded along the eastern border of Cheshire, gaining Disley and Yeardley-cum-Whaley from Knutsford, and Bredbury and Romiley, Compstall and Marple from the abolished constituency of Hyde.

1950–1974: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, the Urban District of Bollington, and the Rural Districts of Disley and Macclesfield.[4]

The Urban Districts of Bredbury and Romiley (which had absorbed most of Compstall), and Marple were included in the new constituency of Cheadle. Bollington and the part of the Rural District of Macclesfield not previously in the constituency, including Poynton, were transferred from Knutsford. The Urban District of Yeardsley-cum-Whaley had been abolished and partly absorbed into Disley, and Buglawton had been absorbed into the Municipal Borough of Congleton. Other minor changes.

1974–1983: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, the Urban Districts of Alderley Edge and Bollington, and the Rural Districts of Disley and Macclesfield.[4]

Alderley Edge transferred from Knutsford.

From 1 April 1974 until the next boundary review came into effect for the 1983 general election, the constituency comprised parts of the newly formed Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, but its boundaries were unchanged.

1983–1997: The Borough of Macclesfield wards of Alderley Edge, Bollington Central, Bollington East, Bollington West, Disley, Gawsworth, Henbury, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield North East, Macclesfield North West, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield West, Nether Alderley, Poynton Central, Poynton East, Poynton West, Prestbury, Rainow, and Sutton.[5]

The parts of the Borough of Congleton (comprising the former Municipal Borough thereof) were included in the new constituency of Congleton. Otherwise, only marginal changes to the boundaries.

1997–2010: The Borough of Macclesfield wards of Bollington Central, Bollington East, Bollington West, Disley, Gawsworth, Henbury, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield North East, Macclesfield North West, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield West, Poynton Central, Poynton East, Poynton West, Prestbury, Rainow, and Sutton.[6]

2010–present: The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007 defined the boundaries as:

The Borough of Macclesfield wards of Bollington Central, Bollington East, Bollington West, Disley & Lyme Handley, Gawsworth, Henbury, Macclesfield Bollinbrook, Macclesfield Broken Cross, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield Hurdsfield, Macclesfield Ivy, Macclesfield Ryles, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield Tytherington, Macclesfield West, Poynton Central, Poynton East, Poynton West, Prestbury, Rainow, and Sutton.[7]

Minor changes due to revision of ward boundaries.

However, before the new boundaries came into force for the 2010 election, the Borough of Macclesfield was abolished on 1 April 2009, becoming part of the new unitary authority of Cheshire East. Consequently, the constituency's boundaries are currently:

The Cheshire East Borough wards of Bollington, Broken Cross & Upton, Disley, Gawsworth, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield Hurdsfield, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield Tytherington, Macclesfield West & Ivy, Poynton East & Pott Shrigley, Poynton West & Adlington, Prestbury, and Sutton.

The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies left the boundaries unchanged.[8]

The constituency currently covers the north-eastern part of the Cheshire East unitary authority, including the town of Macclesfield itself and the area surrounding it, such as Bollington and Prestbury, as well as Disley and Poynton. Much of the constituency is commuter territory for Manchester.[9]

## Recent political history

[edit]

Macclesfield had long been considered to be a safe seat for the Conservative Party, having been held by them since the 1918 general election.

Most areas in the towns of Macclesfield itself and Bollington have leant towards Labour or the Liberal Democrats and previously the Liberal Party; Prestbury, Gawsworth, Poynton and the swathe of countryside that makes up a significant proportion of the seat have historically returned large majorities for the Conservative Party.

2017–present

Since the 2017 general election, however, the constituency has been a target seat for Labour, after they achieved a 7% swing in that election.

In the 2019 local elections, the Conservatives lost every councillor they had in the town of Macclesfield, with Labour making significant gains in areas they had never won before. The Conservatives largely maintained their vote outside Macclesfield, except in Bollington and Disley, in which they came third behind Labour and Independent candidates.

The 2019 general election saw a 2% swing to the Conservative Party, the national average swing was 4.5%.

In the 2024 general election, Labour won the seat for the first time in its history, on a substantial swing of over 18.5%.

EU Referendum

During the 2016 EU membership referendum, the constituency voted narrowly to remain in the EU, despite the UK overall voting to leave.[10] Around 7,000 constituents subsequently signed a petition calling for a second referendum.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Sir Nicholas Winterton who had been the Conservative MP, was first elected at a by-election in 1971 and held the seat until his retirement as an MP on the dissolution of the House of Commons in April 2010. Both Sir Nicholas and his wife Ann, Conservative MP for Congleton from 1983 to 2010, announced that they would not be candidates at the general election. On 17 October 2009 David Rutley was selected as the Conservative candidate by way of an open primary organised by the party and on 6 May 2010 was elected MP with an increased majority.[11]

### MPs 1832–1880: Macclesfield Parliamentary Borough

[edit]

From 1832 until 1880, Macclesfield was represented by two members of parliament.

Election | 1st Member[12] | 1st Party | 2nd Member[12] | 2nd Party

|
|
|
|

1832 |  | John Brocklehurst | Whig[13][14][15] |  | John Ryle | Conservative[15]
1837 |  | Thomas Grimsditch | Conservative[15]
1847 |  | John Williams | Radical[16][17][18]
1852 |  | Edward Egerton | Conservative
1859 |  | Liberal
1868 |  | William Brocklehurst | Liberal |  | David Chadwick | Liberal
1880 | writ suspended

### MPs since 1885: Macclesfield county constituency

[edit]

* The Macclesfield constituency was recreated in 1885, and subsequently has elected one MP only.

Election | Member[12] | Party

|
|

| 1885 | William Brocklehurst | Liberal
| 1886 | William Bromley-Davenport | Conservative
| 1906 | William Brocklehurst (son) | Liberal
| 1918 | John Remer | Coalition Conservative
| 1939 by-election | W. Garfield Weston | Conservative
| 1945 | Sir Arthur Harvey | Conservative
| 1971 by-election | Sir Nicholas Winterton | Conservative
| 2010 | David Rutley | Conservative
| 2024 | Tim Roca | Labour

## Elections 1900–present

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Macclesfield[19][20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Tim Roca | 24,672  | 46.7  | +14.1
| Conservative | David Rutley | 15,552  | 29.5  | −23.0
| Reform UK | Stephen Broadhurst  | 6,592  | 12.5  | N/A
| Green | Amanda Iremonger  | 2,493  | 4.7  | +0.4
| Liberal Democrats | Neil Christian  | 2,482  | 4.7  | −5.9
| Independent | Chris Wellavize  | 779  | 1.5  | N/A
| SDP | Dickon Fletcher  | 222  | 0.4  | N/A
Rejected ballots  | 153  |  |
Majority | 9,120  | 17.3  |
Turnout | 52,792  | 69.3  | −1.9
Registered electors | 76,416  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +18.5  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

General election 2019: Macclesfield[21] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Rutley | 28,292  | 52.5  | −0.2
| Labour | Neil Puttick  | 17,581  | 32.6  | −4.2
| Liberal Democrats | Neil Christian  | 5,684  | 10.6  | +4.4
| Green | James Booth  | 2,310  | 4.3  | +2.1
Majority | 10,711  | 19.9  | +4.0
Turnout | 53,867  | 71.0  | −1.4
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.1  |
General election 2017: Macclesfield[22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Rutley | 28,595  | 52.7  | +0.2
| Labour | Neil Puttick  | 19,987  | 36.8  | +14.1
| Liberal Democrats | Richard Flowers  | 3,350  | 6.2  | −1.5
| Green | James Booth  | 1,213  | 2.2  | −2.6
| Independent | Mark Johnson  | 1,162  | 2.1  | N/A
Majority | 8,608  | 15.9  | −13.9
Turnout | 54,307  | 72.38  | +3.1
| Conservative hold | Swing | −7.0  |
General election 2015: Macclesfield[23][24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Rutley | 26,063  | 52.5  | +5.5
| Labour | Tim Roca | 11,252  | 22.7  | +2.4
| UKIP | Adrian Howard  | 6,037  | 12.2  | +9.4
| Liberal Democrats | Neil Christian  | 3,842  | 7.7  | −15.4
| Green | Joan Plimmer  | 2,404  | 4.8  | +3.1
Majority | 14,811  | 29.8  | +5.9
Turnout | 49,598  | 69.3  | +1.0
| Conservative hold | Swing | +1.6  |
General election 2010: Macclesfield[25][26] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Rutley | 23,503  | 47.0  | −2.7
| Liberal Democrats | Roger Barlow  | 11,544  | 23.1  | +3.5
| Labour | Adrian Heald  | 10,164  | 20.3  | −8.7
| Independent | Brendan Murphy  | 2,590  | 5.2  | N/A
| UKIP | Jacqueline Smith  | 1,418  | 2.8  | N/A
| Green | John Knight  | 840  | 1.7  | N/A
Majority | 11,959  | 23.9  | +3.3
Turnout | 50,059  | 68.31  | +5.2
| Conservative hold | Swing | −3.1  |

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Macclesfield[27] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 22,628  | 49.6  | +0.7
| Labour | Stephen Carter  | 13,227  | 29.0  | −4.1
| Liberal Democrats | Catherine O'Brien  | 8,918  | 19.5  | +1.5
| Veritas | John Scott  | 848  | 1.9  | N/A
Majority | 9,401  | 20.6  | +4.8
Turnout | 45,621  | 63.1  | +0.8
| Conservative hold | Swing | +2.4  |
General election 2001: Macclesfield[28] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 22,284  | 48.9  | −0.7
| Labour | Stephen Carter  | 15,084  | 33.1  | −0.5
| Liberal Democrats | Michael Flynn  | 8,217  | 18.0  | +1.3
Majority | 7,200  | 15.8  | −0.2
Turnout | 45,585  | 62.3  | −12.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.05  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Macclesfield[29] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 26,888  | 49.6  | −6.4
| Labour | Janet A. Jackson  | 18,234  | 33.6  | +10.8
| Liberal Democrats | Michael Flynn  | 9,075  | 16.7  | −4.0
Majority | 8,654  | 16.0  | −17.2
Turnout | 54,197  | 75.2  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | −8.6  |
General election 1992: Macclesfield[30][31] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 36,447  | 57.9  | +1.5
| Labour | Martina C. Longworth  | 13,680  | 21.7  | +2.1
| Liberal Democrats | Paul C.W. Beatty  | 12,600  | 20.0  | −4.0
| Natural Law | Cheryl A. Penn  | 268  | 0.4  | N/A
Majority | 22,767  | 36.2  | +3.8
Turnout | 62,995  | 82.3  | +4.9
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.3  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Macclesfield[32] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 33,208  | 56.4  | −3.0
| Liberal | Andrew Haldane  | 14,116  | 24.0  | +2.4
| Labour | Caroline Pinder  | 11,563  | 19.6  | +1.5
Majority | 19,092  | 32.4  | −5.4
Turnout | 58,887  | 77.4  | +2.4
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.7  |
General election 1983: Macclesfield[33] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 32,538  | 59.4  |
| Liberal | Ruth Coleman  | 11,859  | 21.6  |
| Labour | Peter B. Kelly  | 9,923  | 18.1  |
| Independent  | M. Reeman  | 488  | 0.9  |
Majority | 20,679  | 37.8  |
Turnout | 54,808  | 75.0  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1970s

[edit]

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

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 40,116  | 58.46  |
| Labour | R.A. Foster  | 16,779  | 24.45  |
| Liberal | Anthony J. Berry  | 11,726  | 17.09  |
Majority | 23,337  | 34.01  |
Turnout | 68,621  | 78.10  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election October 1974: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 31,685  | 50.26  |
| Labour | Kenneth W. Little  | 18,592  | 29.49  |
| Liberal | Anthony J. Berry  | 12,764  | 20.25  |
Majority | 13,093  | 20.77  |
Turnout | 63,041  | 78.65  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election February 1974: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 32,638  | 48.77  |
| Labour | Harry Silverman  | 18,352  | 27.43  |
| Liberal | Anthony J. Berry  | 15,926  | 23.80  |
Majority | 14,286  | 21.34  |
Turnout | 66,916  | 84.19  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
1971 Macclesfield by-election Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Nicholas Winterton | 24,933  | 44.65  | −7.44
| Labour | Diana Jeuda  | 23,854  | 42.71  | +9.38
| Liberal | R. M. Hammond  | 5,991  | 10.73  | −3.85
| Anti-Common Market Party  | Reginald Simmerson  | 976  | 1.75  | N/A
| English National Resurgence  | Robert Goodall  | 92  | 0.16  | N/A
Majority | 1,079  | 1.94  | −16.82
Turnout | 55,846  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1970: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 29,023  | 52.09  |
| Labour | Basil S. Jeuda  | 18,571  | 33.33  |
| Liberal | Robert M. Hammond  | 8,124  | 14.58  |
Majority | 10,452  | 18.76  |
Turnout | 55,718  | 76.36  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

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

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 24,736  | 46.84  |
| Labour | Alec George Read  | 20,533  | 38.88  |
| Liberal | Donald Fletcher Burden  | 7,545  | 14.29  |
Majority | 4,203  | 7.96  |
Turnout | 52,814  | 81.71  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1964: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 24,824  | 47.50  |
| Labour | Denis W. Coe | 18,464  | 35.33  |
| Liberal | Gordon Hewlett-Johnson  | 8,975  | 17.17  | N/A
Majority | 6,360  | 12.17  |
Turnout | 52,263  | 84.06  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1950s

[edit]

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

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 28,978  | 59.59  |
| Labour | John F. Bex  | 19,652  | 40.41  |
Majority | 9,326  | 19.18  |
Turnout | 48,630  | 82.57  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1955: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 27,551  | 60.01  |
| Labour | Kenneth Lomas | 18,362  | 39.99  |
Majority | 9,189  | 20.02  |
Turnout | 45,913  | 80.56  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1951: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 29,434  | 59.03  |
| Labour | Agnes E. Taylor  | 20,428  | 40.97  |
Majority | 9,006  | 18.06  |
Turnout | 49,862  | 87.27  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1950: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 25,781  | 50.93  |
| Labour | Fred Blackburn | 19,219  | 37.97  |
| Liberal | Clarence Frederick Doncaster  | 5,621  | 11.10  |
Majority | 6,562  | 12.96  |
Turnout | 50,621  | 89.42  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Election in the 1940s

[edit]

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

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Arthur Vere Harvey | 23,495  | 45.50  |
| Labour | Harold Fraser Urquhart  | 20,442  | 39.59  |
| Liberal | Edward Anthony Brooke Fletcher  | 7,702  | 14.92  |
Majority | 3,053  | 5.91  |
Turnout | 51,639  | 80.08  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1930s

[edit]

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 from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

* Conservative: W. Garfield Weston
* Labour: C. T. Douthwaite
* Liberal: Edward Anthony Brooke Fletcher

Macclesfield by-election 1939  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | W. Garfield Weston | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1935: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Remer | 24,249  | 52.53  | −17.44
| Labour | George Darling | 14,761  | 31.98  | +0.95
| Liberal | John Lawrence Poole  | 7,151  | 15.49  | N/A
Majority | 9,488  | 20.55  |
Turnout | 46,161  | 78.87  |
| Conservative hold | Swing |  |
General election 1931: Macclesfield  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Remer | 30,796  | 68.97  | +28.07
| Labour | D. Scott Morton  | 13,854  | 31.03  | +0.83
Majority | 16,942  | 37.94  |
Turnout | 44,650  | 81.25  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +13.62  |

### Elections in the 1920s

[edit]

General election 1929: Macclesfield[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | John Remer | 19,329  | 41.9  | −9.0
| Labour | John Williams | 13,911  | 30.2  | +0.1
| Liberal | Selwyn Lloyd | 12,891  | 27.9  | +8.9
Majority | 5,418  | 11.7  | −9.1
Turnout | 46,131  | 87.0  | +2.4
Registered electors | 53,053  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | −4.6  |
General election 1924: Macclesfield[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | John Remer | 17,171  | 50.9  | +5.8
| Labour | John Williams | 10,187  | 30.1  | +9.6
| Liberal | Harry Krauss Nield  | 6,434  | 19.0  | −15.4
Majority | 6,984  | 20.8  | +10.1
Turnout | 33,792  | 84.6  | +0.7
Registered electors | 39,962  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | −1.9  |
General election 1923: Macclesfield[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | John Remer | 14,744  | 45.1  | −3.0
| Liberal | William Tudor Davies  | 11,259  | 34.4  | +2.5
| Labour | Andrew Joseph Penston  | 6,713  | 20.5  | +0.5
Majority | 3,485  | 10.7  | −5.5
Turnout | 32,716  | 83.9  | −2.1
Registered electors | 38,982  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | −2.8  |
General election 1922: Macclesfield[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Unionist | John Remer | 15,825  | 48.1  | −10.1
| Liberal | Thomas Artemus Jones | 10,477  | 31.9  | N/A
| Labour | Andrew Joseph Penston  | 6,584  | 20.0  | −21.8
Majority | 5,348  | 16.2  | −0.2
Turnout | 32,886  | 86.0  | +18.9
Registered electors | 38,245  |  |
| Unionist hold | Swing | +5.9  |

### Elections in the 1910s

[edit]

General election 1918: Macclesfield[34] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

C | Unionist | John Remer | 14,277 | 58.2 | +9.8
| Labour | William Pimblott  | 10,253  | 41.8  | N/A
Majority | 4,024  | 16.4  | N/A
Turnout | 24,530  | 67.1  | −24.8
Registered electors | 36,577  |  |
| Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing |  |
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;

* Liberal: William Brocklehurst
* Unionist:

General election December 1910: Macclesfield[35] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 4,410  | 51.6  | +0.8
| Conservative | Ben Dent  | 4,142  | 48.4  | −0.8
Majority | 268  | 3.2  | +1.6
Turnout | 8,552  | 91.9  | −3.9
Registered electors | 9,306  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +0.8  |
General election January 1910: Macclesfield[35] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 4,534  | 50.8  | −2.3
| Conservative | William Bromley-Davenport | 4,384  | 49.2  | +2.3
Majority | 150  | 1.6  | −4.6
Turnout | 8,918  | 95.8  | +3.1
Registered electors | 9,306  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −2.3  |

### Elections in the 1900s

[edit]

General election 1906: Macclesfield[35] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 4,251  | 53.1  | N/A
| Conservative | William Bromley-Davenport | 3,757  | 46.9  | N/A
Majority | 494  | 6.2  | N/A
Turnout | 8,008  | 92.7  | N/A
Registered electors | 8,636  |  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | N/A |
General election 1900: Macclesfield[36][37][38] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Bromley-Davenport | Unopposed
| Conservative hold

## Elections 1832–1895

[edit]

General election 1895: Macclesfield[36][37][38] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Bromley-Davenport | Unopposed
| Conservative hold
General election 1892: Macclesfield[36][37] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Bromley-Davenport | 4,322  | 56.0  | +1.6
| Liberal | James Carlile McCoan | 3,396  | 44.0  | −1.6
Majority | 926  | 12.0  | +3.2
Turnout | 7,718  | 86.1  | +2.4
Registered electors | 8,959  |  |
| Conservative hold | Swing | +1.6  |
General election 1886: Macclesfield[36][37] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | William Bromley-Davenport | 3,283  | 54.4  | +8.2
| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 2,756  | 45.6  | −8.2
Majority | 527  | 8.8  | N/A
Turnout | 6,039  | 83.7  | −1.7
Registered electors | 7,211  |  |
| Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +8.2  |
General election 1885: Macclesfield (1 seat)[39][36][37] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 3,311  | 53.8  | −0.1
| Conservative | William Cunliffe Brooks | 2,846  | 46.2  | +0.1
Majority | 465  | 7.6  | +7.0
Turnout | 6,157  | 85.4  | −14.1 (est)
Registered electors | 7,211  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −0.1  |

The writ was suspended after an investigation found extensive bribery and the 1880 election was void. Macclesfield was incorporated into Cheshire East from 25 June 1885, before being re-established for the 1885 election.[36]

General election 1880: Macclesfield (2 seats)[40][41] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 2,946  | 27.9  | −1.0
| Liberal | David Chadwick | 2,744  | 26.0  | +0.5
| Conservative | William Eaton | 2,678  | 25.4  | +0.3
| Conservative | James Charles Whitehorne  | 2,188  | 20.7  | +0.2
Majority | 66  | 0.6  | +0.2
Turnout | 5,278 (est)  | 99.5 (est)  | +11.4
Registered electors | 5,304  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −0.7  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +0.2  |
General election 1874: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 3,173  | 28.9  | −7.9
| Liberal | David Chadwick | 2,792  | 25.5  | −7.3
| Conservative | William Eaton | 2,750  | 25.1  | +9.9
| Conservative | James Croston[42] | 2,250  | 20.5  | +5.3
Majority | 42  | 0.4  | −2.0
Turnout | 5,483 (est)  | 88.1 (est)  | +7.4
Registered electors | 6,224  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −8.9  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | −6.3  |
General election 1868: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Liberal | William Brocklehurst | 2,812  | 36.8  | +2.3
| Liberal | David Chadwick | 2,509  | 32.8  | +1.9
| Conservative | William Eaton | 2,321  | 30.4  | −4.2
Majority | 188  | 2.4  | N/A
Turnout | 3,821 (est)  | 80.7 (est)  | −16.4
Registered electors | 4,737  |  |
| Liberal hold | Swing | +2.2  |
| Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.0  |
General election 1865: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Egerton | 471  | 34.6  | N/A
| Liberal | John Brocklehurst | 469  | 34.5  | N/A
| Liberal | David Chadwick | 421  | 30.9  | N/A
Majority | 2  | 0.1  | N/A
Turnout | 916 (est)  | 97.1 (est)  | N/A
Registered electors | 943  |  |
| Conservative hold
| Liberal hold
General election 1859: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Egerton | Unopposed
| Liberal | John Brocklehurst | Unopposed
Registered electors | 1,073  |  |
| Conservative hold
| Liberal hold
General election 1857: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 637  | 53.0  | +14.4
| Conservative | Edward Egerton | 556  | 46.3  | +13.7
| Whig | Thomas Huggins[43] | 9  | 0.7  | N/A
Turnout | 601 (est)  | 54.3 (est)  | −22.5
Registered electors | 1,106  |  |
Majority | 81  | 6.7  | +0.7
| Whig hold | Swing | +0.4  |
Majority | 547  | 45.6  | +41.8
| Conservative hold | Swing | −0.4  |

* Huggins resigned towards the close of the poll.[44]

General election 1852: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 628  | 38.6  | −0.6
| Conservative | Edward Egerton | 530  | 32.6  | +4.6
| Radical | John Williams | 468  | 28.8  | −4.0
Turnout | 813 (est)  | 76.8 (est)  | −3.9
Registered electors | 1,058  |  |
Majority | 98  | 6.0  | −0.4
| Whig hold | Swing | –1.5  |
Majority | 62  | 3.8  | N/A
| Conservative gain from Radical | Swing | +3.3  |
General election 1847: Macclesfield[40] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 598  | 39.2  | −2.8
| Radical | John Williams | 500  | 32.8  | +7.1
| Conservative | Thomas Grimsditch | 428  | 28.0  | −4.3
Turnout | 763 (est)  | 80.7 (est)  | +9.6
Registered electors | 946  |  |
Majority | 98  | 6.4  | −3.3
| Whig hold | Swing | −0.3  |
Majority | 72  | 4.8  | N/A
| Radical gain from Conservative | Swing | +4.6  |
General election 1841: Macclesfield[40][15][45] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 534  | 42.0  | +0.3
| Conservative | Thomas Grimsditch | 410  | 32.3  | −3.7
| Whig | Samuel Stocks | 327  | 25.7  | +3.4
Turnout | 636 (est)  | 71.1 (est)  | c. −7.3
Registered electors | 894  |  |
Majority | 124  | 9.7  | +4.0
| Whig hold | Swing | +1.1  |
Majority | 83  | 6.6  | −7.1
| Conservative hold | Swing | −3.7  |
General election 1837: Macclesfield[40][15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 546  | 41.7  | +24.5
| Conservative | Thomas Grimsditch | 471  | 36.0  | −29.5
| Whig | Robert Hyde Greg | 292  | 22.3  | +5.1
Turnout | 764  | 78.4  | −0.5
Registered electors | 975  |  |
Majority | 75  | 5.7  | −1.0
| Whig hold | Swing | +19.6  |
Majority | 179  | 13.7  | +10.5
| Conservative hold | Swing | −29.6  |
General election 1835: Macclesfield[40][15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | John Ryle (politician)  | 464  | 37.7  | −4.7
| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 424  | 34.5  | −4.9
| Conservative | Thomas Grimsditch | 342  | 27.8  | +9.6
Turnout | 706  | 78.9  | −3.0
Registered electors | 895  |  |
Majority | 40  | 3.2  | +0.2
| Conservative hold | Swing | −1.1  |
Majority | 82  | 6.7  | −14.5
| Whig hold | Swing | −4.9  |
General election 1832: Macclesfield[40][15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Tory | John Ryle (politician)  | 433  | 42.4
| Whig | John Brocklehurst | 402  | 39.4
| Tory | Thomas Grimsditch | 186  | 18.2
Turnout | 588  | 81.9
Registered electors | 718  |
Majority  | 31  | 3.0
| Tory win (new seat)
Majority  | 216  | 21.2
| Whig win (new seat)

## See also

[edit]

* Cheshire portal

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Cheshire
* History of parliamentary constituencies and boundaries in Cheshire

## 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 – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
2. ^ Great Britain, Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales. The public general acts. unknown library. Proprietors of the Law Journal Reports, 1884.
3. ^ Fraser, Hugh (1918). The Representation of the people act, 1918 : with explanatory notes. University of California Libraries. London : Sweet and Maxwell.`{{cite book}}`: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
4. ^ a b Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885–1972. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN 0-900178-09-4. OCLC 539011.
5. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983" (PDF).
6. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995".
7. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007".
8. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
9. ^ "National Rail Enquiries – Official source for UK train times and timetables". nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
10. ^ Greer, Stuart (3 January 2017). "MP to back Brexit regardless of Supreme Court decision". Macclesfield Express. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
11. ^ "David Rutley adopted to succeed Sir Nicholas Winterton in Macclesfield". Conservative Home. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
12. ^ a b c Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "M" (part 1)
13. ^ Churton, Edward (1836). The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1836. p. 75. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
14. ^ "Macclesfield". Dublin Evening Post. 29 June 1841. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
15. ^ a b c d e f g Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844–1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
16. ^ Slosson, Preston William (1967). The Decline of the Chartist Movement. London: Frank Cass & Co. p. 94\. ISBN 0714611042. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
17. ^ Dod, Charles Roger; Dod, Robert Phipps (1847). Dod's Parliamentary Companion, Volume 15. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. p. 254. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
18. ^ "Election Intelligence". Manchester Times. 31 July 1847. p. 6. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
19. ^ "Macclesfield Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
20. ^ "Macclesfield – Results of the 4 July 2024 election". Cheshire East Borough Council.
21. ^ "Macclesfield Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
22. ^ "Macclesfield parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
23. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
24. ^ "Macclesfield". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
25. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
26. ^ "Macclesfield Constituency". Archived from the original on 12 May 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
27. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
28. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
29. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
30. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
31. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
32. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
33. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
34. ^ a b c d e Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
35. ^ a b c British parliamentary election results, 1885–1918 (Craig)
36. ^ a b c d e f British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig
37. ^ a b c d e The Liberal Year Book, 1907
38. ^ a b Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
39. ^ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
41. ^ "The General Election". Evening Standard. London. 31 March 1880. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 3 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
42. ^ "Macclesfield". Wigan Observer and District Advertiser. 21 March 1873. p. 8. Retrieved 6 January 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
43. ^ "Macclesfield". Evening Mail. 27 March 1857. p. 7. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
44. ^ "Macclesfield Nomination". Nairnshire Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Northern Counties. 1 April 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
45. ^ "District News". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser. 3 July 1841. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 25 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.

## External links

[edit]

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

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