Morpeth (UK Parliament constituency)

Morpeth was a constituency centred on the town of Morpeth in Northumberland represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of England from 1553 to 1707, the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800, and then the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1800 to 1983.
The Parliamentary Borough of Morpeth first sent Members to Parliament in 1553. It elected two MPs under the bloc vote system until the 1832 general election, when the Great Reform Act reduced its representation to one MP, elected under the first past the post system. The seat was redesignated as a county constituency for the 1950 general election and abolished for the 1983 general election.

Boundaries

1832–1868

The parliamentary borough, as defined by the Parliamentary Boundaries Act 1832, comprised the township of Morpeth and several surrounding townships, as well as the parish of Bedlington.

1868–1918

Under the Boundary Act 1868, the borough was expanded to include the townships of Cowpen and Newsham, which incorporated the town of Blyth.
No changes were made by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.

1918–1950

the Municipal Borough of Morpeth
the Urban Districts of Ashington, Bedlingtonshire, and Blyth
part of the Rural District of Morpeth

''The boundaries were largely unchanged, except for the addition of Ashington.''

1950–1983

the Municipal Borough of Morpeth
the Urban Districts of Ashington and Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
the Rural District of Morpeth.

''Blyth and Bedlington formed the basis of the new constituency of Blyth. Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and the remainder of the Rural District of Morpeth was transferred from Wansbeck, which was now abolished.''

Abolition

On abolition in 1983, 6 rural wards to the north of Morpeth were transferred to Berwick-upon-Tweed. The remainder of the seat formed the basis of the re-established constituency of Wansbeck.

Election results

Elections in the 1830s

Howard's death caused a by-election.
Howard resigned, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1840s

Leveson-Gower resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1850s

Howard resigned, causing a by-election.
Grey was appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies, requiring a by-election.
Grey was appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, requiring a by-election.

Elections in the 1860s

Grey was appointed Home Secretary, requiring a by-election.

Elections in the 1910s

Newton received support from the local branch of the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors and Soldiers