Southwark (UK Parliament constituency) facts for kids
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Southwark (pronounced SUDH-ərk) was a special area in South London that used to choose people to represent it in the UK Parliament. This area, called a constituency, sent two Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent its people for a very long time. It first started in 1295 and continued until 1885.
Later, a new Southwark constituency was created in 1950. This new area was smaller than the old one. It sent one MP to Parliament until it was stopped in 1974. In its later years, the people in Southwark strongly supported the Labour Party. Their chosen MPs won by a large number of votes, making it a very safe seat for the Labour Party.
Contents
How the Southwark Constituency Was Formed and Changed
The Southwark constituency was created in 1295. Back then, only certain property owners in the main streets could vote. They chose two "burgesses" to represent them. A burgess was an old name for a representative from a town.
Over time, more people gained the right to vote. By 1833, about 4,775 adult men could vote. This number grew to over 23,000 by 1880.
In 1885, the old Southwark constituency was split into three new areas. These were called West Southwark, Rotherhithe, and Bermondsey.
The Second Southwark Constituency
A new constituency with the name Southwark was created in 1950. Its borders stayed the same until it was removed in February 1974.
Members of Parliament for Southwark
Many different people represented Southwark in Parliament over the centuries. These MPs came from various political groups.
From 1295 to 1885, Southwark sent two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons. After the constituency was re-established in 1950, it sent one Member of Parliament.
MPs from 1950 to 1974
- George Isaacs (Labour Party) from 1950 to 1959
- Ray Gunter (Labour Party) from 1959 to 1972
- Harry Lamborn (Labour Party) from 1972 to 1974
Election Results in Southwark
Elections are how people choose their MPs. Here are some examples of how Southwark voted over the years.
Elections in the 1830s
In the 1830 general election, two Whig candidates and one Radical candidate ran. John Rawlinson Harris (Whig) and Robert Wilson (Radical) won.
Later in 1830, a special election was held because Harris passed away. Charles Calvert (Whig) won this election.
In 1831, Calvert and William Brougham (both Whigs) won without anyone running against them.
The 1832 election saw Brougham and John Humphery (both Whigs) win.
In 1835, Humphery (Whig) and Daniel Whittle Harvey (Radical) won without any opposition.
The 1837 election was closer. Humphery (Whig) and Harvey (Radical) won again.
Elections in the 1950s
In the 1950 general election, George Isaacs from the Labour Party won with a large number of votes. He received 68.27% of the votes.
Isaacs won again in 1951 and 1955, showing strong support for the Labour Party in Southwark.
In the 1959 general election, Ray Gunter became the new Labour MP for Southwark. He also won with a large majority.
Elections in the 1960s
Ray Gunter continued to be the MP for Southwark, winning the general elections in 1964 and 1966. The Labour Party remained very popular in the area.
Elections in the 1970s
Gunter won the 1970 general election. In 1972, a special election was held. Harry Lamborn from the Labour Party won this election with a very high percentage of the votes.
The Southwark constituency was then removed in February 1974.
Images for kids
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Southwark in London, 1868–85
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Southwark in London, 1950–74
