Limehouse (UK Parliament constituency) facts for kids

Limehouse was a special area in London that had its own representative in the UK Parliament. This area, called a borough constituency, was in the Limehouse district of the East End of London. From 1885 to 1950, people living in Limehouse voted for one person to be their Member of Parliament (MP). This MP would then speak for them in the House of Commons, which is part of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

History of Limehouse Parliament Seat

This special voting area was created in 1885. It was set up by a law called the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. This meant that for the 1885 general election, people in Limehouse could vote for their own MP.

The Limehouse constituency lasted for many years. It was eventually removed for the 1950 general election. After 1950, the area became part of other constituencies.

Famous MP for Limehouse

The most well-known MP for Limehouse was Clement Attlee. He was a member of the Labour Party. Attlee became the leader of his party in 1935. Later, he served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1951.

Where Was Limehouse?

A map showing the wards of the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney in 1916.

In 1885, the Limehouse area was part of a larger county called Middlesex. It was located in the "Tower division," which was in the eastern part of this historic county. The neighborhood of Limehouse was a specific section of the parliamentary borough of Tower Hamlets. This whole area was part of the East End of London.

Changes to Limehouse Boundaries

In 1889, the Tower division of Middlesex became separate from the county. It then became part of the new County of London. This was an administrative change, meaning how the area was governed.

In 1900, local government in London was updated. Limehouse became part of a new area called the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.

When the parliamentary seats were changed again in 1918, the Limehouse constituency became a division of Stepney. It included several smaller areas, or wards. These were Limehouse North, Limehouse South, Mile End Old Town North East, Mile End Old Town South East, and Ratcliffe.

Members of Parliament for Limehouse

This table shows the people who were elected as MPs for Limehouse and their political parties.

Images for kids

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  Harry Samuel, a Conservative MP for Limehouse.

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  William Pearce, a Liberal MP for Limehouse.