Chichester (UK Parliament constituency)
Chichester is a constituency in West Sussex, England, that has been represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 1997 by Gillian Keegan of the Conservative Party.
History and Boundaries:
The Chichester constituency was created in 1885, replacing the two-member Western Sussex constituency. It has historically been a safe seat for the Conservative Party, having been held by the Conservatives for all but a brief period after a by-election in 1923 when it was won by the Liberal Party. The constituency covers a large area of West Sussex, including the city of Chichester and surrounding towns and villages. Boundaries have been subject to revisions over the years, reflecting changes in population distribution. These revisions are usually carried out by the Boundary Commission for England.
Political Landscape:
The Chichester constituency is considered a Conservative stronghold. While other parties, such as the Liberal Democrats and Labour, field candidates, they have historically struggled to make significant gains. The constituency's demographics and socio-economic characteristics contribute to its Conservative leanings.
Constituency Profile:
The Chichester constituency includes a mix of urban and rural areas. The city of Chichester is a cathedral city with a rich history and serves as a regional center for commerce, culture, and administration. The surrounding rural areas are largely agricultural. The constituency also has a coastal aspect, including parts of Chichester Harbour.
Members of Parliament (MPs):
- 1885–1889: The Hon. Walter Wyndham (Conservative)
- 1889–1894: Lord Walter Gordon-Lennox (Conservative)
- 1894–1921: Lord Edmund Talbot (Conservative)
- 1921–1923: Sir William Bird (Conservative)
- 1923–1924: Charles Empson (Liberal)
- 1924–1954: Sir John Courtauld (Conservative)
- 1954–1974: Lancelot Joynson-Hicks (Conservative)
- 1974–1997: Anthony Nelson (Conservative)
- 1997–2017: Andrew Tyrie (Conservative)
- 2017–present: Gillian Keegan (Conservative)
Elections:
General elections are held every five years (or sooner in the event of a snap election). Results for the Chichester constituency are typically reported alongside national results and contribute to the overall political landscape of the United Kingdom. The most recent election results can be found on official parliamentary websites and news outlets.