Post by peterl on Jul 10, 2023 14:58:18 GMT
Christchurch is one of oldest constituencies in England in two senses, both for the large elderly population of the seat and for the age of the constituency itself, which was created in 1572. The seat in its present form was created for the 1983 election, and as well as Christchurch itself includes a significant part of the area formerly known as East Dorset, namely Ferndown, Parley, St. Leonards and St. Ives and West Moors. The constituency has not been changed in the boundary review.
Christchurch itself has a population of around 50,000 and dated to the seventh century. The priory, constructed in 1094, is steeped in history, with one notable feature being a monument to the poet Percy Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley. Still in use today as a parish church, the Priory is a large building which still physically dominates the town. The ruins of a twelfth century castle destroyed during the Civil War can also be seen nearby. Tourism is a significant local industry which takes advantage of the river and harbour for various water based activities. Outside of the town itself can be found Bournemouth Airport next to which is a large business park, a significant local employer. Ferndown, a town of about 20,000, can be found on the edge of the constituency. Another settlement with a sizeable retired population, Ferndown’s town council is famous for its bitter divisions which often grace the pages of the local newspaper and consists of a Conservative faction and a residents group most of the members of which were once UKIP councillors.
Christchurch itself was part of Hampshire until the early 1970s and was then moved into Dorset. It became part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in 2019, a move that was very controversial within the borough and was opposed by a large margin in the county’s only referendum on the subject. Whilst the old borough council had elected almost exclusively Conservatives for some years, the 2019 elections saw a breakaway group of Christchurch Independents win 8 out of 10 seats, with one Conservative and one Lib Dem also elected. In the 2023 elections, the results were identical except that the Lib Dems took the sole Conservative seat. Ferndown, now part of Dorset Council’s bailiwick, has also largely elected Conservatives, though one UKIP councillor was elected to the old county council in 2013.
The Christchurch constituency as it exists in its current form has had three members since its creation in 1983. Conservative Robert Adley served from 1983 until a 1993 by election when the seat was taken by Dianne Maddock for the Lib Dems. Conservative Christopher Chope, a former barrister and probably amongst the most right wing Members of Parliament has served since 1997. Christchurch was at one point one of the strongest UKIP seats in the country with a second place and 21.5% scored in 2015. The Lib Dems and their predecessors have largely been second to the Tories otherwise, though Labour took second place in 2017. Whilst the 1993 result shows that another party can take Christchurch under the right circumstances, it is not a seat anyone would expect to see on a target list for either Labour or the Lib Dems. Who comes second will help us to gauge the extent of the Lib Dems revival in Dorset, whilst past UKIP results suggest a Reform candidate might perform respectably.
General Election 2019 Result
Christopher Chope Conservative 33,894 65.2% -4.4%
Mike Cox Liberal Democrats 9,277 17.9% +10.0%
Andrew Dunne Labour 6,568 12.6% -7.3%
Chris Rigby Green Party 2,212 4.3% +1.7%
Christchurch itself has a population of around 50,000 and dated to the seventh century. The priory, constructed in 1094, is steeped in history, with one notable feature being a monument to the poet Percy Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley. Still in use today as a parish church, the Priory is a large building which still physically dominates the town. The ruins of a twelfth century castle destroyed during the Civil War can also be seen nearby. Tourism is a significant local industry which takes advantage of the river and harbour for various water based activities. Outside of the town itself can be found Bournemouth Airport next to which is a large business park, a significant local employer. Ferndown, a town of about 20,000, can be found on the edge of the constituency. Another settlement with a sizeable retired population, Ferndown’s town council is famous for its bitter divisions which often grace the pages of the local newspaper and consists of a Conservative faction and a residents group most of the members of which were once UKIP councillors.
Christchurch itself was part of Hampshire until the early 1970s and was then moved into Dorset. It became part of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in 2019, a move that was very controversial within the borough and was opposed by a large margin in the county’s only referendum on the subject. Whilst the old borough council had elected almost exclusively Conservatives for some years, the 2019 elections saw a breakaway group of Christchurch Independents win 8 out of 10 seats, with one Conservative and one Lib Dem also elected. In the 2023 elections, the results were identical except that the Lib Dems took the sole Conservative seat. Ferndown, now part of Dorset Council’s bailiwick, has also largely elected Conservatives, though one UKIP councillor was elected to the old county council in 2013.
The Christchurch constituency as it exists in its current form has had three members since its creation in 1983. Conservative Robert Adley served from 1983 until a 1993 by election when the seat was taken by Dianne Maddock for the Lib Dems. Conservative Christopher Chope, a former barrister and probably amongst the most right wing Members of Parliament has served since 1997. Christchurch was at one point one of the strongest UKIP seats in the country with a second place and 21.5% scored in 2015. The Lib Dems and their predecessors have largely been second to the Tories otherwise, though Labour took second place in 2017. Whilst the 1993 result shows that another party can take Christchurch under the right circumstances, it is not a seat anyone would expect to see on a target list for either Labour or the Lib Dems. Who comes second will help us to gauge the extent of the Lib Dems revival in Dorset, whilst past UKIP results suggest a Reform candidate might perform respectably.
General Election 2019 Result
Christopher Chope Conservative 33,894 65.2% -4.4%
Mike Cox Liberal Democrats 9,277 17.9% +10.0%
Andrew Dunne Labour 6,568 12.6% -7.3%
Chris Rigby Green Party 2,212 4.3% +1.7%
