Bexleyheath (UK Parliament constituency) facts for kids
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Bexleyheath was a special area in south-east London that had its own representative in the UK Parliament. This representative was called a Member of Parliament (MP). The Bexleyheath area was set up as a "constituency" (a voting area) for the general election in February 1974. It stopped being a separate constituency before the 1997 general election.
Contents
A Bit of History
Bexleyheath was known as a very safe seat for the Conservative Party. This means that the Conservative candidate was almost always expected to win the elections there. For its entire time as a constituency, Bexleyheath was represented by one person: Sir Cyril Townsend. He was the only MP for Bexleyheath.
Where Was Bexleyheath?
A "constituency" has specific borders, like a map outline, that show which areas it covers. These borders can change over time.
Original Borders (1974–1983)
When it was first created, Bexleyheath included parts of the London Borough of Bexley. These areas were called wards, and they included Brampton, Christchurch, Danson, East Wickham, Falconwood, St Michael's, and Upton.
Later Borders (1983–1997)
The borders changed slightly in 1983. The constituency still included Brampton, Christchurch, Danson, East Wickham, Falconwood, St Michael's, and Upton. It also added two new wards: Barnehurst and Barnehurst North.
The Bexleyheath constituency was mainly focused on the area of Bexleyheath itself, which is in the London Borough of Bexley. In 1997, the area was split up because a group called the Boundary Commission for England decided that the boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich needed an extra MP.
Most of Bexleyheath became part of a new constituency called Bexleyheath and Crayford. About a third of the old Bexleyheath area was added to another existing constituency, Old Bexley and Sidcup.
Who Was the MP?
A Member of Parliament (MP) is a person elected by the people in a constituency to represent them in the House of Commons.
| Election | Member | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1974 | Cyril Townsend | Conservative | |
| 1997 | constituency abolished: see Bexleyheath and Crayford & Old Bexley and Sidcup | ||
Sir Cyril Townsend was the only MP for Bexleyheath during its entire existence. He was a member of the Conservative Party.
Election Results Summary
People in Bexleyheath voted in several general elections to choose their MP.
Elections in the 1970s
In the February 1974 election, Cyril Townsend of the Conservative Party won. He received 43.3% of the votes. In the October 1974 election, Cyril Townsend won again for the Conservatives. His share of the vote was 43.8%. By the 1979 election, Cyril Townsend's support grew even more. He won with 53.7% of the votes, showing that the Conservative Party was very strong in Bexleyheath.
Elections in the 1980s
In the 1983 election, Cyril Townsend continued to be the MP for Bexleyheath. He won with 53.1% of the vote. He was re-elected in the 1987 election, securing 53.7% of the votes.
Elections in the 1990s
The last election for Bexleyheath was in 1992. Cyril Townsend won again, with 54.0% of the votes. This showed that Bexleyheath remained a strong Conservative area until it was abolished in 1997.
See also
