Number of Westminster MPs
Encyclopedia
Over the history of the House of Commons
, the number of Members of Parliament
(MPs) has varied for assorted reasons, with increases in recent years due to increases in the population of the United Kingdom
. There are currently 650 constituencies, each sending one MP to the House of Commons, corresponding to approximately one for every 92,000 people, or one for every 68,000 parliamentary electors.
Under the current boundary review, due to be reported by 1 October 2013, the future number of seats will be reduced to 600. 596 of the seats are required to have a number of registered electors which is five per cent plus or minus an electoral quota of 76,641 registered electors (a range from 72,810 to 80,473 electors).
In 1654 the First Protectorate Parliament
included elected representation from Scotland and Ireland. After the Third Protectorate Parliament
in 1659 the Scottish and Irish members disappeared from Westminster until the unions of 1707 and 1801 respectively.
In 1654 England and Wales saw its first systematic redistribution of parliamentary seats ever. However in 1659 the representation of England and Wales reverted to the pre-Civil War pattern. When the Rump Parliament
was recalled, later the same year, and the full Long Parliament
was reinstated the following year its composition was exactly the same as before the Protectorate.
Only three new English constituencies, with a total of six seats, were enfranchised between the restoration
of King Charles II in 1660 and the Reform Act 1832
. As many of the constituencies were rotten borough
s, which had either decayed into insignificance centuries ago or had never been important settlements, whereas some major towns only participated in elections as part of the historic county they were situated in, the state of representation was very imperfect. By the Glorious Revolution
of 1688 there were 513 MPs, until the Act of Union 1707 added 45 MPs for Scotland
. These 558 were again increased to 658 by the Act of Union 1800
, with the addition of MPs for Ireland
.
Over the next 85 years the number of seats varied only slightly, as constituencies were disenfranchised for corruption and the seats were re-allocated some time later (see the lists below for details). The major redistributions of constituencies following the Reform Act 1832
and Reform Act 1867
both created a new House (elected in 1832 and 1868 respectively) with exactly 658 seats. The number of MPs had dropped to 648 by the dissolution before the General Election of 1885.
With the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885
, introduced in the wake of the Reform Act of 1884, the size of the House was increased to 670 and remained unchanged until the Representation of the People Act
at the end of the First World War
.
The period between 1918 and 1922 saw the most MPs in the history of Parliament.
From 1922 the number of seats has fluctuated between 615 and 659. Unlike the position in many countries, such as the United States and Australia
, seats are not allocated to different parts of the United Kingdom by a strict mathematical formula. The total number of seats result from the decisions of the four national Boundary Commissions, each applying the rules from time to time provided for by Parliament.
Up to the fifth general review of parliamentary boundaries, the usual effect of the interaction of the rules applied by the four national boundary commissions was to over-represent the non-English parts of the United Kingdom compared to England. The number of seats in each redistribution also tended to rise (although Northern Ireland was under represented between 1922 and 1983 as for most of that time it had a devolved government and from the 2005 redistribution Scotland used the same quota of average number of electors per constituency as England as it now has devolved institutions).
The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011, amended the rules. For the first time the total number of Members of Parliament was fixed (at 600) and a mathematical formula was prescribed for apportioning seats between the four parts of the United Kingdom. As a result of the new legislation, the sixth general review of parliamentary booundaries has commenced. The four national boundary commissions have agreed the apportionment of seats. They have a statutory duty to produce a final report on the review by 1 October 2013.
Note:-
Note:-
The total number of MPs representing constituencies in different parts of the United Kingdom has been varied by Act of Parliament several times since the Acts of Union 1707
. In the tables below the occasions on which the number has been changed, and the number of MPs following the change is given in each case. The dates given are those when the change took effect. More details of minor changes in the 1821-1885 period are set out in the section above.
Monmouthshire
is treated as part of Wales throughout this section, although it was often considered to be an English county before the twentieth century. The number of Members of Parliament representing the county (including borough constituencies within it) was (1654-1885) three, (1885-1918) four and (1918-1983) six.
Notes:-
A list of the number of MPs from Scotland, as provided for in the year of the legislation specified (but not necessarily the year when the redistribution took effect).
In 2003, following the creation of the Scottish Parliament
, the Boundary Commission for Scotland met to recommend a decrease in the number of Scottish MPs to bring the average number per head of population in line with the national average. This change came into effect following the May 2005 General Election
.
All other seats remained unchanged.
Wales gained 2 seats. Scotland gained 1 seat.
Only 66 constituencies remained unchanged, in the greatest boundary re-organisation since the Great Reform Act.
The five net additional seats were all in England. Eleven new constituencies were created, while six were abolished. Of the new constituencies two were in Essex, with one in each of Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, Cheshire, Hampshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.
London, Reading, Leeds, Sheffield, Blackburn and Manchester each lost a seat.
In total, 152 constituencies underwent major alterations, with 30 more having minor changes. 324 seats remained unchanged. The average constituency electorate was 55,670.
The 12 University seats were abolished.
The 12 double-member seats were abolished, being split into separate constituencies. The Cites of London and Westminster, previously having two seats each, were merged into one seat.
Wales gained a seat.
London lost 19 seats, Liverpool 2, Manchester 1, while Edinburgh gained 2 seats, and Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, and Leicester gained 1 each.
Boundary changes were extensive, with only 80 seats remaining unchanged.
British House of Commons
The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which also comprises the Sovereign and the House of Lords . Both Commons and Lords meet in the Palace of Westminster. The Commons is a democratically elected body, consisting of 650 members , who are known as Members...
, the number of Members of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
(MPs) has varied for assorted reasons, with increases in recent years due to increases in the population of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. There are currently 650 constituencies, each sending one MP to the House of Commons, corresponding to approximately one for every 92,000 people, or one for every 68,000 parliamentary electors.
Under the current boundary review, due to be reported by 1 October 2013, the future number of seats will be reduced to 600. 596 of the seats are required to have a number of registered electors which is five per cent plus or minus an electoral quota of 76,641 registered electors (a range from 72,810 to 80,473 electors).
History
In the 16th century there were around 310 Members of Parliament, including representation at various points from Calais and Wales.In 1654 the First Protectorate Parliament
First Protectorate Parliament
The First Protectorate Parliament was summoned by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell under the terms of the Instrument of Government. It sat for one term from 3 September 1654 until 22 January 1655 with William Lenthall as the Speaker of the House....
included elected representation from Scotland and Ireland. After the Third Protectorate Parliament
Third Protectorate Parliament
The Third Protectorate Parliament sat for one session, from 27 January 1659 until 22 April 1659, with Chaloner Chute and Thomas Bampfylde as the Speakers of the House of Commons...
in 1659 the Scottish and Irish members disappeared from Westminster until the unions of 1707 and 1801 respectively.
In 1654 England and Wales saw its first systematic redistribution of parliamentary seats ever. However in 1659 the representation of England and Wales reverted to the pre-Civil War pattern. When the Rump Parliament
Rump Parliament
The Rump Parliament is the name of the English Parliament after Colonel Pride purged the Long Parliament on 6 December 1648 of those members hostile to the Grandees' intention to try King Charles I for high treason....
was recalled, later the same year, and the full Long Parliament
Long Parliament
The Long Parliament was made on 3 November 1640, following the Bishops' Wars. It received its name from the fact that through an Act of Parliament, it could only be dissolved with the agreement of the members, and those members did not agree to its dissolution until after the English Civil War and...
was reinstated the following year its composition was exactly the same as before the Protectorate.
Only three new English constituencies, with a total of six seats, were enfranchised between the restoration
English Restoration
The Restoration of the English monarchy began in 1660 when the English, Scottish and Irish monarchies were all restored under Charles II after the Interregnum that followed the Wars of the Three Kingdoms...
of King Charles II in 1660 and the Reform Act 1832
Reform Act 1832
The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
. As many of the constituencies were rotten borough
Rotten borough
A "rotten", "decayed" or pocket borough was a parliamentary borough or constituency in the United Kingdom that had a very small electorate and could be used by a patron to gain undue and unrepresentative influence within Parliament....
s, which had either decayed into insignificance centuries ago or had never been important settlements, whereas some major towns only participated in elections as part of the historic county they were situated in, the state of representation was very imperfect. By the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
of 1688 there were 513 MPs, until the Act of Union 1707 added 45 MPs for Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. These 558 were again increased to 658 by the Act of Union 1800
Act of Union 1800
The Acts of Union 1800 describe two complementary Acts, namely:* the Union with Ireland Act 1800 , an Act of the Parliament of Great Britain, and...
, with the addition of MPs for Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
Over the next 85 years the number of seats varied only slightly, as constituencies were disenfranchised for corruption and the seats were re-allocated some time later (see the lists below for details). The major redistributions of constituencies following the Reform Act 1832
Reform Act 1832
The Representation of the People Act 1832 was an Act of Parliament that introduced wide-ranging changes to the electoral system of England and Wales...
and Reform Act 1867
Reform Act 1867
The Representation of the People Act 1867, 30 & 31 Vict. c. 102 was a piece of British legislation that enfranchised the urban male working class in England and Wales....
both created a new House (elected in 1832 and 1868 respectively) with exactly 658 seats. The number of MPs had dropped to 648 by the dissolution before the General Election of 1885.
With the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885
Redistribution of Seats Act 1885
The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was a piece of electoral reform legislation that redistributed the seats in the House of Commons, introducing the concept of equally populated constituencies, in an attempt to equalise representation across...
, introduced in the wake of the Reform Act of 1884, the size of the House was increased to 670 and remained unchanged until the Representation of the People Act
Representation of the People Act 1918
The Representation of the People Act 1918 was an Act of Parliament passed to reform the electoral system in the United Kingdom. It is sometimes known as the Fourth Reform Act...
at the end of the First World War
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
The period between 1918 and 1922 saw the most MPs in the history of Parliament.
From 1922 the number of seats has fluctuated between 615 and 659. Unlike the position in many countries, such as the United States and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, seats are not allocated to different parts of the United Kingdom by a strict mathematical formula. The total number of seats result from the decisions of the four national Boundary Commissions, each applying the rules from time to time provided for by Parliament.
Up to the fifth general review of parliamentary boundaries, the usual effect of the interaction of the rules applied by the four national boundary commissions was to over-represent the non-English parts of the United Kingdom compared to England. The number of seats in each redistribution also tended to rise (although Northern Ireland was under represented between 1922 and 1983 as for most of that time it had a devolved government and from the 2005 redistribution Scotland used the same quota of average number of electors per constituency as England as it now has devolved institutions).
The Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Act 2011, amended the rules. For the first time the total number of Members of Parliament was fixed (at 600) and a mathematical formula was prescribed for apportioning seats between the four parts of the United Kingdom. As a result of the new legislation, the sixth general review of parliamentary booundaries has commenced. The four national boundary commissions have agreed the apportionment of seats. They have a statutory duty to produce a final report on the review by 1 October 2013.
Number of MPs since 1654
The numbering of Parliaments in the table below related to the Protectorate Parliaments (1654-1659), the Parliaments of Great Britain (1707-1800) and the Parliaments of the United Kingdom (from 1801).| Years | Parliaments | MPs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1654–1659 | 1st to 2nd | 460 | Thirty members each from Scotland and Ireland |
| 1659 | 3rd | 567 | England and Wales reverted to pre-1654 distribution of seats |
| 1659–1673 | 507 | Scotland and Ireland no longer represented at Westminster | |
| 1673–1675 | 509 | Enfranchisement of Newark Newark (UK Parliament constituency) Newark is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Since 1885, it has elected one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... |
|
| 1675–1678 | 511 | Enfranchisement of County Durham County Durham (UK Parliament constituency) Durham or County Durham was a county constituency in northern England, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1675 until 1832.- History :... |
|
| 1678–1707 | 513 | Enfranchisement of the City of Durham | |
| 1707–1800 | 1st to 18th | 558 | Union of Scotland Scotland Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the... with England and Wales England and Wales England and Wales is a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom. It consists of England and Wales, two of the four countries of the United Kingdom... . |
| 1801–1821 | 1st to 7th | 658 | Union of Ireland Ireland Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth... with Great Britain Great Britain Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles... . Numbering re-started. |
| 1821–1826 | 7th | 656 | Disenfranchisement of Grampound Grampound (UK Parliament constituency) Grampound in Cornwall, was a borough constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England, then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1821. It was represented by two Members of Parliament.-History:Grampound's... a |
| 1826–1844 | 8th to 14th | 658 | Two seats re-allocated as additional seats to Yorkshire Yorkshire (UK Parliament constituency) Yorkshire was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England from 1290, then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832... |
| 1844–1852 | 14th to 15th | 656 | Disenfranchisement of Sudbury Sudbury (UK Parliament constituency) Sudbury was a parliamentary constituency which was represented in the British House of Commons. A parliamentary borough consisting of the town of Sudbury in Suffolk, it returned two Members of Parliament from 1559 until it was disenfranchised for corruption in 1844... a |
| 1852–1861 | 15th to 18th | 654 | Disenfranchisement of St Albans St Albans (UK Parliament constituency) St Albans is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Established in 1885, it is a county constituency in Hertfordshire, and elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.From 1554 to 1852 there was a... a |
| 1861–1865 | 18th | 656 | Two seats re-allocated to enfranchise Birkenhead Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency) Birkenhead is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-History:... and as an additional seat to South Lancashire South Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency) South Lancashire, formally called the Southern Division of Lancashire or Lancashire Southern, is a former county constituency in England... a |
| 1865–1870 | 19th to 20th | 658 | West Riding of Yorkshire West Riding of Yorkshire (UK Parliament constituency) West Riding of Yorkshire was a parliamentary constituency in England from 1832 to 1865. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries and History:... divided into two constituencies. |
| 1870–1885 | 20th to 22nd | 652 | Four constituencies disenfranchised for corruption a. |
| 1885 | 22nd | 648 | Two constituencies disenfranchised for corruption a. |
| 1885–1918 | 23rd to 30th | 670 | |
| 1918–1922 | 31st | 707 | |
| 1922–1945 | 32nd to 37th | 615 | Irish Free State Irish Free State The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand... left Union, Northern Ireland Northern Ireland Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west... constituencies reduced. |
| 1945–1950 | 38th | 640 | Several large constituencies divided. |
| 1950–1955 | 39th and 40th | 625 | University University constituency A university constituency is a constituency, used in elections to a legislature, that represents a university rather than a geographical area. University constituencies may involve plural voting, in which eligible voters are permitted to vote in both a university constituency and a geographical... and multi-member constituencies abolished |
| 1955–1974 | 41st to 45th | 630 | |
| 1974–1983 | 46th to 48th | 635 | |
| 1983–1992 | 49th and 50th | 650 | |
| 1992–1997 | 51st | 651 | Split of Milton Keynes Milton Keynes (UK Parliament constituency) Milton Keynes was a borough constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1983 until 1992.It covered the north Buckinghamshire Borough of Milton Keynes, including Milton Keynes itself together with Newport Pagnell, Olney and the rural area to the... |
| 1997–2005 | 52nd and 53rd | 659 | |
| 2005-2010 | 54th | 646 | Scottish over-representation removed after creation of Scottish Parliament Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament... |
| 2010- | 55th | 650 | A net gain of four seats in England |
| 2013 review | TBA | 600 | A net loss of fifty seats overall |
Note:-
- a Change came into effect during a Parliament.
List of constituencies disenfranchised for corruption and re-allocated seats 1821-1885
The normal number of Members of Parliament in this period was 658. Changes took effect on the dissolution of the previous Parliament, unless otherwise indicated.| Year | Plt. | Change | Total MPs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1821 | 7th a | -2 | 656 | Grampound Grampound (UK Parliament constituency) Grampound in Cornwall, was a borough constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England, then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1821. It was represented by two Members of Parliament.-History:Grampound's... disenfranchised and represented as part of Cornwall Cornwall (UK Parliament constituency) Cornwall is a former county constituency covering the county of Cornwall, in the South West of England. It was a constituency of the House of Commons of England then of the House of Commons of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832... |
| 1826 | 8th | +2 | 658 | Yorkshire Yorkshire (UK Parliament constituency) Yorkshire was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England from 1290, then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832... received additional seats (4 instead of 2) |
| 1844 | 14th a | -2 | 656 | Sudbury Sudbury (UK Parliament constituency) Sudbury was a parliamentary constituency which was represented in the British House of Commons. A parliamentary borough consisting of the town of Sudbury in Suffolk, it returned two Members of Parliament from 1559 until it was disenfranchised for corruption in 1844... disenfranchised and represented as part of West Suffolk West Suffolk (UK Parliament constituency) -Elections in the 2000s:-Elections in the 1990s:- Notes and references :... |
| 1852 | 15th a | -2 | 654 | St Albans St Albans (UK Parliament constituency) St Albans is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Established in 1885, it is a county constituency in Hertfordshire, and elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.From 1554 to 1852 there was a... disenfranchised and represented as part of Hertfordshire Hertfordshire (UK Parliament constituency) Hertfordshire was a county constituency covering the county of Hertfordshire in England. It returned two Knights of the Shire to the House of Commons of England until 1707, then to the House of Commons of Great Britain until 1800, and to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom... |
| 1861 | 18th a | +1 | 655 | Birkenhead Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency) Birkenhead is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-History:... was enfranchised |
| 1861 | 18th a | +1 | 656 | South Lancashire South Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency) South Lancashire, formally called the Southern Division of Lancashire or Lancashire Southern, is a former county constituency in England... received an additional seat (3 instead of 2) |
| 1865 | 19th | +2 | 658 | West Riding of Yorkshire West Riding of Yorkshire (UK Parliament constituency) West Riding of Yorkshire was a parliamentary constituency in England from 1832 to 1865. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries and History:... , a 2 member seat, was split into 2 two member divisions |
| 1868 | 20th b | -2 | 658 | Great Yarmouth Great Yarmouth (UK Parliament constituency) Great Yarmouth is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... disenfranchised and represented as part of North Norfolk North Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency) North Norfolk is a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.... and East Suffolk |
| 1868 | 20th b | -2 | 658 | Lancaster Lancaster (UK Parliament constituency) Lancaster was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1867, centred on the historic city of Lancaster in north-west England... disenfranchised and represented as part of North Lancashire North Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency) North Lancashire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was represented by two Members of Parliament... |
| 1868 | 20th b | -1 | 658 | Reigate Reigate (UK Parliament constituency) Reigate is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.-Boundaries:... disenfranchised and represented as part of Mid Surrey Mid Surrey (UK Parliament constituency) Mid Surrey was a county constituency in Surrey, England. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the bloc vote system.-History:... |
| 1868 | 20th b | -2 | 658 | Totnes Totnes (UK Parliament constituency) Totnes is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament , using the first-past-the-post voting system.... disenfranchised and represented as part of South Devon South Devon (UK Parliament constituency) South Devon, formally known as the Southern Division of Devon, was parliamentary constituency in the county of Devon in England. From 1832 to 1885 it returned two Knights of the Shire to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the bloc vote system.-Boundaries:In... |
| 1870 | 20th a | -2 | 656 | Beverley Beverley (UK Parliament constituency) Beverley has been the name of a parliamentary constituency in the East Riding of Yorkshire for three separate periods. From medieval times until 1869, it was a parliamentary borough, consisting solely of the market town of Beverley, which returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons... disenfranchised and represented as part of East Riding of Yorkshire East Riding of Yorkshire (UK Parliament constituency) East Riding of Yorkshire was a parliamentary constituency in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.... |
| 1870 | 20th a | -2 | 654 | Bridgwater Bridgwater (UK Parliament constituency) Bridgwater was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, until 2010 when it was replaced by the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency... disenfranchised and represented as part of West Somerset West Somerset (UK Parliament constituency) West Somerset or Somerset Western was the name of a parliamentary constituency in the county of Somerset between 1832 and 1885... |
| 1870 | 20th a | -1 | 653 | Cashel Cashel (UK Parliament constituency) Cashel is a former British Parliament constituency in Ireland, returning one MP. It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801.... disenfranchised and represented as part of Tipperary Tipperary (UK Parliament constituency) Tipperary, also known as Tipperary County, was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, which from 1801 to 1885 returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.-Boundaries:... |
| 1870 | 20th a | -1 | 652 | Borough of Sligo Sligo Borough (UK Parliament constituency) Sligo Borough is a former borough constituency in Ireland, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.It was an original constituency represented in Parliament when the Union of Great Britain and Ireland took effect on 1 January 1801, and returned one Member of... disenfranchised and represented as part of County Sligo Sligo County (UK Parliament constituency) Sligo County is a former county constituency in Ireland, represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It returned two Members of Parliament , elected by the bloc vote system of election.-Boundaries:... |
| 1885 | 22nd c | -2 | 650 | Macclesfield Macclesfield (UK Parliament constituency) Macclesfield is a county constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament by the first past the post system of election.- Boundaries :... disenfranchised and represented as part of East Cheshire East Cheshire (UK Parliament constituency) East Cheshire was parliamentary constituency which returned two Member of Parliament s to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Elections were held using the bloc vote system.- History :... |
| 1885 | 22nd a | -2 | 648 | Sandwich Sandwich (UK Parliament constituency) Sandwich was a parliamentary constituency in Kent, which elected two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons from 1366 until 1885, when it was disfranchised for corruption.-History:... disenfranchised and represented as part of East Kent |
Note:-
- a This change took effect during the Parliament.
- b This change took effect at the same time as the redistribution provided for by the Reform Act 1867Reform Act 1867The Representation of the People Act 1867, 30 & 31 Vict. c. 102 was a piece of British legislation that enfranchised the urban male working class in England and Wales....
, so the total membership of the 20th Parliament remained unchanged from the 658 at the dissolution of the 19th Parliament. - c This change took effect during the Parliament. The Macclesfield borough constituency which was disenfranchised on 25 June 1885, should not be confused with the Macclesfield county constituency which was created under the redistribution that took effect at the United Kingdom general election, 1885United Kingdom general election, 1885-Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:...
and held its first election in November or December 1885.
Number of MPs by country
Under the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, the Protectorate regime was established by the Instrument of Government which included a redistribution of parliamentary seats in England and Wales. It also authorised the Lord Protector and Council of State to provide for the parliamentary representation of Scotland and Ireland. This arrangement only lasted for a few years and the three components of the Commonwealth reverted to having individual parliaments.The total number of MPs representing constituencies in different parts of the United Kingdom has been varied by Act of Parliament several times since the Acts of Union 1707
Acts of Union 1707
The Acts of Union were two Parliamentary Acts - the Union with Scotland Act passed in 1706 by the Parliament of England, and the Union with England Act passed in 1707 by the Parliament of Scotland - which put into effect the terms of the Treaty of Union that had been agreed on 22 July 1706,...
. In the tables below the occasions on which the number has been changed, and the number of MPs following the change is given in each case. The dates given are those when the change took effect. More details of minor changes in the 1821-1885 period are set out in the section above.
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire (historic)
Monmouthshire , also known as the County of Monmouth , is one of thirteen ancient counties of Wales and a former administrative county....
is treated as part of Wales throughout this section, although it was often considered to be an English county before the twentieth century. The number of Members of Parliament representing the county (including borough constituencies within it) was (1654-1885) three, (1885-1918) four and (1918-1983) six.
| Country | 1654 | 1659a | 1659b | 1673 | 1675 | 1678 | 1707 | 1801 | 1821 | 1826 | 1832 | 1844 | 1852 | 1861 | 1865 | 1868 | 1870 | 1885c | 1885d | 1918 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 372 | 480 | 480 | 482 | 484 | 486 | 486 | 486 | 484 | 486 | 468 | 466 | 464 | 466 | 468 | 460 | 456 | 452 | 461 | 492 |
| Wales | 28 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 33 | 34 | 36 |
| Scotland | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 72 | 74 |
| Ireland | 30 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 105 | 105 | 105 | 105 | 105 | 105 | 103 | 103 | 103 | 105 |
| Total | 460 | 567 | 507 | 509 | 511 | 513 | 558 | 658 | 656 | 658 | 658 | 656 | 654 | 656 | 658 | 658 | 652 | 648 | 670 | 707 |
| Country | 1922 | 1945 | 1950 | 1955 | 1974 | 1983 | 1992 | 1997 | 2005 | 2010 | 2013 review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 492 | 517 | 506 | 511 | 516 | 523 | 524 | 529 | 529 | 533 | 502 |
| Wales | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 38 | 38 | 40 | 40 | 40 | 30 |
| Scotland | 74 | 74 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 72 | 72 | 59 | 59 | 52 |
| Northern Ireland | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 |
| Total | 615 | 640 | 625 | 630 | 635 | 650 | 651 | 659 | 646 | 650 | 600 |
Notes:-
- a Third Protectorate Parliament.
- b Rump Parliament/Long Parliament restored.
- c Changes in June 1885.
- d Changes at the United Kingdom general election, 1885United Kingdom general election, 1885-Seats summary:-See also:*List of MPs elected in the United Kingdom general election, 1885*Parliamentary Franchise in the United Kingdom 1885–1918*Representation of the People Act 1884*Redistribution of Seats Act 1885-References:...
, in November-December 1885.
A list of the number of MPs from Scotland, as provided for in the year of the legislation specified (but not necessarily the year when the redistribution took effect).
- 1654: 30
- 1659: 0
- 1707: 45
- 1832: 53
- 1867: 60
- 1885: 72
- 1918: 74
- 1948: 71
- 1983: 72
- 2003: 59
- 2013 review: 52
In 2003, following the creation of the Scottish Parliament
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament is the devolved national, unicameral legislature of Scotland, located in the Holyrood area of the capital, Edinburgh. The Parliament, informally referred to as "Holyrood", is a democratically elected body comprising 129 members known as Members of the Scottish Parliament...
, the Boundary Commission for Scotland met to recommend a decrease in the number of Scottish MPs to bring the average number per head of population in line with the national average. This change came into effect following the May 2005 General Election
United Kingdom general election, 2005
The United Kingdom general election of 2005 was held on Thursday, 5 May 2005 to elect 646 members to the British House of Commons. The Labour Party under Tony Blair won its third consecutive victory, but with a majority of 66, reduced from 160....
.
2005
The House of Commons was reduced from 659 to 646, following a boundary review in Scotland that reduced the number of Scottish seats by 13.1992
The House of Commons was increased from 650 to 651, by splitting Milton Keynes into two constituencies after a rare interim boundary review due to the growing size of the town.All other seats remained unchanged.
1983
The House of Commons was increased from 635 to 650.Wales gained 2 seats. Scotland gained 1 seat.
Only 66 constituencies remained unchanged, in the greatest boundary re-organisation since the Great Reform Act.
1955
The House of Commons was increased from 625 to 630 seats.The five net additional seats were all in England. Eleven new constituencies were created, while six were abolished. Of the new constituencies two were in Essex, with one in each of Middlesex, Surrey, Kent, East Sussex, Hertfordshire, Cheshire, Hampshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire.
London, Reading, Leeds, Sheffield, Blackburn and Manchester each lost a seat.
In total, 152 constituencies underwent major alterations, with 30 more having minor changes. 324 seats remained unchanged. The average constituency electorate was 55,670.
1950
The House of Commons was reduced from 640 to 625 seats.The 12 University seats were abolished.
The 12 double-member seats were abolished, being split into separate constituencies. The Cites of London and Westminster, previously having two seats each, were merged into one seat.
Wales gained a seat.
London lost 19 seats, Liverpool 2, Manchester 1, while Edinburgh gained 2 seats, and Bristol, Coventry, Leeds, and Leicester gained 1 each.
Boundary changes were extensive, with only 80 seats remaining unchanged.