Beckenham (UK Parliament constituency)

Beckenham (/ˈbɛkənəm/) is a constituency[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom since 2010 by Bob Stewart, a Conservative.[n 2]

Beckenham
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Boundary of Beckenham in Greater London
CountyGreater London
Population87,011 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate66,470 (December 2010)[2]
Current constituency
Created1950
Member of ParliamentBob Stewart (Conservative)
Number of membersOne
Created fromBromley and Orpington
New wards and boundaries of the Beckenham Parliament constituency (red) within the London Borough of Bromley (yellow)

Constituency profile

The constituency can be described as leafy Bromley suburbia in the "BR3 postcode" — one widely known gazetteer summarised this in 2012:

"The properties on these streets typically include a range of styles, from modern to Mock Tudor. However many local residents are wealthy city commuters. Keston Common and Keston Ponds are both popular attractions for locals...The common theme is large, detached houses with substantial land and typically with asking prices of over £1 million. At the lower end of the market, a one bedroom period conversion flat on Turpington Lane near Bromley Common, or a one bedroom flat in a modern block on Homesdale Road, near the Bickley border, would demand an asking price of approximately £160,000."[3]

Also in the north-west is the small town centre of Beckenham itself. All wards have voted between 60-70% Conservative since the seat's inception. In times when Labour has led in the national polls the seat has remained Conservative. The smallest majority in a general election was 9.3%, in 1997; in all other elections except 2001 there have been majorities of more than 15%. The seat has become even safer due to the boundary changes in 2010, which removed the three most Labour inclined wards in Bromley borough, centered on the town of Penge, replacing them with more rural - and Conservative - areas surrounding Hayes, Bromley Common and Keston.

Since 1983 there has been a close contest for second place between Labour and the Liberal Democrats. Labour's share has remained much greater than in Orpington whereas the Liberal Democrat share has remained much greater than in Croydon Central.[n 3]

History

The constituency has only elected Conservatives as its MPs since 1950.

The closest the Conservatives have ever come to losing this seat was at a by-election in November 1997, at the height of Tony Blair's 'honeymoon period' as Prime Minister, following the resignation of the previous MP Piers Merchant in a sex scandal. Even then, the former MP for Hastings who lost her seat in the earlier 1997 general election, Jacqui Lait, managed to win the seat by just over 1,000 votes.

Between 1957 and 1992 the long-serving MP for Beckenham was Sir Philip Goodhart, who was soon after 1979 discovered by Margaret Thatcher to be a left-of-centre or 'wet conservative' and consequently his career as a junior minister came to a quick end. Goodhart is best known for his book on the workings of the Conservative MPs' 1922 Committee, and for his brother Charles, who was a famous economics professor at LSE and sat for some time on the Bank of England's monetary policy committee.

Before Sir Philip Goodhart, the former Conservative Chief Whip Patrick Buchan-Hepburn represented Beckenham in Parliament.

Boundaries
Beckenham in Kent, boundaries used 1955-74

1950–1974: The Municipal Borough of Beckenham, and the Urban District of Penge.

1974–1983: The London Borough of Bromley wards of Anerley, Clock House, Copers Cope, Eden Park, Lawrie Park and Kent House, Manor House, Penge, and Shortlands.

1983–1997: The London Borough of Bromley wards of Anerley, Clock House, Copers Cope, Eden Park, Kelsey Park, Lawrie Park and Kent House, Penge, and Shortlands.

1997–2010: The London Borough of Bromley wards of Anerley, Clock House, Copers Cope, Eden Park, Kelsey Park, Lawrie Park and Kent House, Penge, Shortlands, West Wickham North, and West Wickham South.

2010–present: The London Borough of Bromley wards of Bromley Common and Keston, Copers Cope, Hayes and Coney Hall, Kelsey and Eden Park, Shortlands, and West Wickham.

Beckenham constituency covers the north-western part of the London Borough of Bromley. The local government ward boundaries were redrawn for the 2002 local elections, though this did not affect parliamentary constituency boundaries until the 2010 general election.

Latest boundary review

Following their review of parliamentary representation in South London, the Boundary Commission for England made revisions to the existing Beckenham constituency. Clock House ward, Crystal Palace ward, and Penge and Cator ward were transferred from Beckenham to help create the new constituency of Lewisham West and Penge. Parts of Bromley Common and Keston ward, Hayes and Coney Hall ward, and Shortlands ward were transferred to Beckenham from Bromley and Chislehurst. A small part of Bromley Common and Keston ward was transferred to Beckenham from Orpington and a tiny part of Bromley Town ward was transferred from Beckenham to Bromley and Chislehurst.

Members of Parliament
ElectionMember[4] Party
1950 Patrick Buchan-Hepburn Conservative
1957 by-election Philip Goodhart Conservative
1992 Piers Merchant Conservative
1997 by-election Jacqui Lait Conservative
2010 Bob Stewart Conservative

Elections

Elections in the 2010s
General election 2019: Beckenham[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Bob Stewart 27,282 54.0 -5.4
Labour Marina Ahmad 13,024 25.8 -4.3
Liberal Democrats Chloe-Jane Ross 8,194 16.2 +8.3
Green Ruth Fabricant 2,055 4.1 +1.4
Majority 14,258 28.2 -1.0
Turnout 50,555 73.6 -2.4
Registered electors 68,671
Conservative hold Swing -0.5
General election 2017: Beckenham[6][7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Bob Stewart 30,632 59.3 +2.0
Labour Marina Ahmad 15,545 30.1 +10.7
Liberal Democrats Julie Ireland 4,073 7.9 +1.0
Green Ruth Fabricant 1,380 2.7 -1.2
Majority 15,087 29.2 -8.6
Turnout 51,630 76.0 +2.8
Registered electors 67,925
Conservative hold Swing -4.3
General election 2015: Beckenham[8][9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Bob Stewart 27,955 57.3 −0.6
Labour Marina Ahmad 9,484 19.4 +5.0
UKIP Rob Bryant 6,108 12.5 +9.3
Liberal Democrats Anuja Prashar 3,378 6.9 -13.7
Green Ruth Fabricant[10] 1,878 3.8 +2.6
Majority 18,471 37.8 +0.5
Turnout 48,803 73.2 +1.2
Registered electors 67,439
Conservative hold Swing +6.6
General election 2010: Beckenham[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Bob Stewart 27,597 57.9 -1.8
Liberal Democrats Stephen Jenkins 9,813 20.6 +4.5
Labour Damien Egan[12] 6,893 14.5 -4.9
UKIP Owen Brolly 1,551 3.3 +0.4
BNP Roger Tonks 1,001 2.1 N/A
Green Ann Garrett 608 1.3 N/A
English Democrat Dan Eastgate 223 0.5 N/A
Majority 17,784 37.3 +20.1
Turnout 47,686 72.0 +6.7
Registered electors 66,219
Conservative hold Swing -3.15

Elections in the 2000s
General election 2005: Beckenham[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Jacqui Lait 22,183 45.3 0.0
Labour Liam K. Curran 13,782 28.1 -6.3
Liberal Democrats Jef W. Foulger 10,862 22.2 +6.2
UKIP James D. C. Cartwright 1,301 2.7 +1.0
Independent Roderick A. Reed 836 1.7 N/A
Majority 8,401 17.2 +6.3
Turnout 48,964 65.5 +2.9
Registered electors 74,706
Conservative hold Swing +3.1
General election 2001: Beckenham[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Jacqui Lait 20,618 45.3 +2.8
Labour Richard F. Watts 15,659 34.4 +1.0
Liberal Democrats Alexander D. Feakes 7,308 16.0 -2.1
Green Karen A. Moran 961 2.1 N/A
UKIP Christopher N. Pratt 782 1.7 +0.8
Liberal Rif Winfield 234 0.5 -0.8
Majority 4,959 10.9 +7.1
Turnout 45,562 62.6 -11.7
Registered electors 72,772
Conservative hold Swing +0.9

Elections in the 1990s
1997 Beckenham by-election[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Jacqui Lait 13,162 41.3 −1.2
Labour Robert N. Hughes 11,935 37.4 +4.0
Liberal Democrats Rosemary E. Vetterlein 5,864 18.4 +0.2
Liberal Phil H. Rimmer 330 1.0 −0.3
National Front John C. McAuley 267 0.8 +0.1
Referendum Leonard F. Mead 237 0.8 -2.4
Independent John Campion 69 0.2 N/A
Natural Law John D. Small 44 0.1 N/A
Majority 1,227 3.8 -5.3
Turnout 31,908 43.7 -30.6
Registered electors 74,019
Conservative hold Swing −2.6
General election 1997: Beckenham[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Piers Merchant 23,084 42.5 -14.4
Labour Robert N. Hughes 18,131 33.4 +9.6
Liberal Democrats Rosemary E. Vetterlein 9,858 18.1 +0.7
Referendum Leonard F. Mead 1,663 3.1 N/A
Liberal Phil H. Rimmer 720 1.3 -0.1
UKIP Christopher N. Pratt 506 0.9 N/A
National Front John C. McAuley 388 0.7 N/A
Majority 4,953 9.1 -23.9
Turnout 54,350 74.3 -3.3
Registered electors 73,126
Conservative hold Swing -15.0
General election 1992: Beckenham[17][18]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Piers Merchant 26,323 56.9 +0.6
Labour Ken Ritchie 11,038 23.8 +6.0
Liberal Democrats Mary C. Williams 8,038 17.4 -6.4
Liberal Gerry Williams 643 1.4 N/A
Natural Law Patrick J. Shaw 243 0.5 N/A
Majority 15,285 33.0 +2.6
Turnout 46,285 77.8 +4.2
Registered electors 59,440
Conservative hold Swing -2.7

Elections in the 1980s
General election 1987: Beckenham[19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 24,903 56.3 -1.1
Liberal Colin Darracot 11,038 23.8 -2.8
Labour Ken Ritchie 8,038 17.4 +1.9
Majority 13,464 30.4 -0.4
Turnout 43,979 73.6 +3.6
Registered electors 60,110
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1983: Beckenham[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 23,606 57.4 +0.55
Liberal C. Forrest 10,936 26.6 +11.70
Labour Jim Dowd 6,386 15.5 -9.58
BNP R. Younger 203 0.5 -0.9
Majority 12,670 30.8 -0.97
Turnout 41,131 70.0 -4.70
Registered electors 58,719
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s
General election 1979: Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 24,607 56.85 +9.16
Labour J. W. Mordecai 10,856 25.08 -1.75
Liberal C. Forrest 6,450 14.90 -10.58
Ecology W. Vernon 762 1.76 N/A
National Front N. Dickson 606 1.40 N/A
Majority 13,751 31.77 +10.92
Turnout 43,281 74.70 +4.94
Registered electors 57,939
Conservative hold Swing
General election October 1974: Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 19,798 47.69 -1.39
Labour N. J. Sharp 11,140 26.83 +3.29
Liberal G. D. Mitchell 10,578 25.48 -1.91
Majority 8,658 20.85 -0.84
Turnout 41,516 69.76 -9.63
Registered electors 59,512
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 22,976 49.08 -8.75
Liberal G. Mitchell 12,821 27.39 +9.71
Labour N. J. Sharp 11,018 23.54 -0.96
Majority 10,155 21.69 -11.64
Turnout 46,815 79.39 +10.71
Registered electors 58,969
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 30,763 57.83 +6.30
Labour I. G. Bing 13,031 24.50 -2.25
Liberal Philip A. Golding 9,404 17.68 -4.04
Majority 17,732 33.33 +8.56
Turnout 53,198 68.68 -9.10
Registered electors 77,459
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s
General election 1966: Beckenham[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 28,837 51.53 -1.95
Labour John Grant 14,972 26.75 +3.03
Liberal Philip A. Golding 12,155 21.72 -1.08
Majority 13,865 24.77 -4.99
Turnout 55,964 77.78 +0.43
Registered electors 71,952
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Beckenham[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 30,070 53.48 -8.13
Labour Alistair H. Macdonald 13,338 23.72 +1.13
Liberal Herbert H. Monroe 12,821 22.80 +7.00
Majority 16,732 29.76 -9.26
Turnout 56,229 77.35 -3.40
Registered electors 72,692
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s
General election 1959: Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 36,528 61.61 -7.35
Labour H. Ferguson 13,395 22.59 -8.45
Liberal Herbert H. Monroe 9,365 15.80 N/A
Majority 23,133 39.02 +1.09
Turnout 59,288 80.75 +4.24
Registered electors 73,421
Conservative hold Swing
1957 Beckenham by-election[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Philip Goodhart 29,621 62.94 -6.02
Labour Neville Sandelson 17,445 37.06 +6.02
Majority 12,176 25.87 -12.06
Turnout 47,066 64.70 -11.81
Registered electors 72,786
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Beckenham[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Patrick Buchan-Hepburn 38,614 68.96 +1.58
Labour Charles F. A. Culling 17,377 31.04 -1.58
Majority 21,237 37.93 +3.16
Turnout 55,991 76.51 -5.87
Registered electors 73,177
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Beckenham[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Patrick Buchan-Hepburn 41,282 67.38 +7.53
Labour A. Philip Magonet 19,982 32.62 +3.21
Majority 21,300 34.77 +4.33
Turnout 61,264 82.38 -4.11
Registered electors 74,370
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Beckenham
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Conservative Patrick Buchan-Hepburn 38,102 59.85 N/A
Labour Alexander Bain 18,723 29.41 N/A
Liberal Herbert H. Monroe 6,834 10.74 N/A
Majority 19,379 30.44 N/A
Turnout 63,659 86.49 N/A
Registered electors 73,605
Conservative win (new seat)
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See also

Notes and references
Notes
  1. A borough constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer).
  2. As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.
  3. Both Orpington and Croydon Central are conservative neighbouring seats.
References
  1. "Beckenham: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. "Electorate Figures - Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  3. "Area and Property Guide for br2 - Mouseprice". www.mouseprice.com.
  4. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 1)
  5. Bromley, London Borough of. "Statement of Persons Nominated General Election 2019 - Beckenham constituency | London Borough of Bromley". www.bromley.gov.uk. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  6. "Beckenham parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
  7. "House Of Commons Library 2017 Election report" (PDF).
  8. "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  9. Bromley, London Borough of. "London Borough of Bromley download - General Election May 2015 results Council and democracy - Elections and voting - Elections". www.bromley.gov.uk.
  10. FABRICANT, RUTH (April 24, 2015). "Done. As you might have spotted, this is the twitter for the @Beckenham Green Party Candidate. @BeckBromFL @WoW_Bromley #GE2015".
  11. "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  12. "PPC for Beckenham". Labour. Archived from the original on 2 April 2010. Retrieved 19 March 2010.
  13. "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  14. "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  15. Boothroyd, David. "Results of Byelections in the 1997-2002 Parliament". United Kingdom Election Results. Retrieved 2015-10-05.
  16. "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  19. "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. "1957 By Election Results". Archived from the original on 2012-03-29. Retrieved 2015-08-14.

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