# Portsmouth (UK Parliament constituency)

Portsmouth was a borough constituency based upon the borough of Portsmouth in Hampshire. It returned two members of parliament (MPs) to the Parliaments of England, Great Britain and from 1801 the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the bloc vote system.

## History

The constituency first elected MPs in 1295. It was abolished at the 1918 general election, when the Representation of the People Act 1918 divided it into three new constituencies; Portsmouth North, Portsmouth South and Portsmouth Central.
According to Namier and Brooke in The House of Commons 1754–1790, the right of election was in the freemen of the borough who numbered about 100. The town was known as an Admiralty borough and at least one MP was usually an Admiral.
The Earl of Sandwich was First Lord of the Admiralty from 1771 to 1782. He imposed tighter Admiralty control over the borough. This change of policy led to an independent element of the local Council supporting challengers to the Admiralty candidates between 1774 and 1780.
When party politics re-emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Portsmouth was a predominantly Whig constituency. It only once elected a Tory Member of Parliament between 1790 and 1832.
The Reform Act 1832 considerably expanded the electorate of the borough. The freemen retained their ancient right franchise, but were outnumbered by the new occupier voters amongst the 1,295 electors registered in 1832. As a result of the expanded electorate the borough became more competitive. Contested elections became the norm rather than the exception, as they had been before the Reform Act.
Candidates with naval connections continued to be frequent in Portsmouth, after the Reform Act. The borough developed into a marginal constituency, particularly in the last half century of its existence.

## Boundaries

The parliamentary borough of Portsmouth was (as the area remains in the 21st century) a major seaport and naval base on the south coast of England. It is situated in the county of Hampshire.
From the 1885 general election until the dissolution before the 1918 election the constituency was surrounded (on the landward side) by the Fareham seat.

## Members of Parliament
### 1295–1640

| Parliament | First member | Second member |
| 1357 | John Pounde | |
| 1372 | Richard Abraham | ? |
| January 1377 | Richard Abraham | ? |
| February 1383 | Richard Abraham | ? |
| 1386 | William Bristowe | Richard Mautravers |
| 1388 (Feb) | John atte Mede | ? |
| 1388 (Sep) | Richard Gay | William Bristowe |
| 1390 (Jan) | Richard Robust | William atte Pury |
| 1390 (Nov) | |
| 1391 | William atte Pury | Henry Seys |
| 1393 | William atte Pury | Richard Whiliare |
| 1394 | William Hicche I | Henry Seys |
| 1395 | Richard Gay | Stephen Agulon |
| 1397 (Jan) | William Hicche II | Henry Seys |
| 1397 (Sep) | William Hicche II | Henry Seys |
| 1399 | William atte Pury | William Balchief |
| 1401 | |
| 1402 | Richard Spicer alias Newport | William Hicche II |
| 1404 (Jan) | |
| 1404 (Oct) | |
| 1406 | William atte Pury | Richard Gay |
| 1407 | |
| 1410 | Henry Abraham |
| 1411 | William Balchief | William atte Pury |
| 1413 (Feb) | |
| 1413 (May) | William atte Pury | William Balchief |
| 1414 (Apr) | |
| 1414 (Nov) | William Balchief | William atte Pury |
| 1415 | William atte Pury | Henry Abraham |
| 1416 (Mar) | William atte Pury | Thomas Robust |
| 1416 (Oct) | |
| 1417 | William atte Pury | Richard Gay |
| 1419 | William Balchief | John Serle |
| 1420 | William Balchief | John Versy |
| 1421 (May) | Simon Stubbere | Henry Abraham |
| 1421 (Dec) | William Balchief | Richard Hert |
| 1422 | Henry Abraham | |
| 1433 | Robert Abraham | Unknown |
| 1437 | Richard Abraham | Unknown |
| 1467 | Henry Uvedale | Unknown |
| 1449-1450 | Robert Abraham | Unknown |
| 1510–1523 | No names known | No names known |
| 1529 | Geoffrey Lee | Francis Dignely |
| 1536 | ? |
| 1539 | ?John Chaderton | ? |
| 1542 | Christopher Staverton | ?John Chaderton |
| 1545 | John Fryer | Michael Gore |
| 1547 | Robert Blount | Henry Knollys |
| 1553 (Mar) | Sir Richard Wingfield | John Chaderton |
| 1553 (Oct) | John Chaderton | Henry Bickley |
| 1554 (Apr) | Richard Sackville | William Cooke |
| 1554 (Nov) | Edmund Cockerell | John de Vic |
| 1555 | Ralph Henslowe | Edmund Cockerell |
| 1558 | Edward Cordell | Edmund Cockerell |
| 1559 | William Wynter | George Brooke alias Cobham |
| 1563 | William Wynter | Thomas Smythe |
| 1571 | Lawrence Blundestone | Henry Slater |
| 1572 | Sir Henry Radclyffe | Robert Colshill |
| 1584 | Thomas Bodley | Thomas Radcliffe |
| 1586 | Thomas Harris | Thomas Thorney |
| 1588 | Thomas Harris | Thomas Thorney |
| 1593 | Edward Radclyffe | Thomas Thorney |
| 1597 | William Greene | Thomas Thorney |
| 1601 | John Moore | Edward Jones |
| 1604 | Sir Oliver St John | Sir Richard Jenvoy |
| 1614 | John Griffith | George Thorpe |
| 1621–1622 | Sir Daniel Norton | Sir Benjamin Rudyerd |
| 1624 | Sir William Uvedale | Sir Benjamin Rudyerd |
| 1625 | Sir Benjamin Rudyerd | Sir Daniel Norton |
| 1626 | Sir James Fullerton | Thomas Whatman |
| 1628 | Owen Jennens | William Towerson |
| 1629–1640 | No Parliaments summoned |

### 1640–1918

| Year | | First member | First party | | Second member | Second party |
| April 1640 | | The Earl of Lanark | | | Hon. Henry Percy | Royalist |
| November 1640 | | Hon. George Goring | Royalist | | Hon. Henry Percy | Royalist |
| 1640 (?) | | Hon. George Goring | Royalist | | Edward Dowse | Parliamentarian |
| August 1642 | Goring disabled from sitting – seat vacant | Goring disabled from sitting – seat vacant | Goring disabled from sitting – seat vacant | | | | Edward Dowse | Parliamentarian |
| 1646 | | Edward Boote | | | Edward Dowse | Parliamentarian |
| December 1648 | Boote not recorded as sitting after Pride's Purge | Boote not recorded as sitting after Pride's Purge | Boote not recorded as sitting after Pride's Purge | Dowce died late 1648 – seat left vacant | Dowce died late 1648 – seat left vacant | Dowce died late 1648 – seat left vacant |
| 1653 | Portsmouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth was unrepresented in the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate |
| 1654 | | Nathaniel Whetham | | Portsmouth had only one seat in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth had only one seat in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth had only one seat in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate |
| 1656 | | Thomas Smith | | Portsmouth had only one seat in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth had only one seat in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate | Portsmouth had only one seat in the First and Second Parliaments of the Protectorate |
| January 1659 | | Francis Willoughby | | | John Child | |
| May 1659 | Portsmouth was not represented in the restored Rump | Portsmouth was not represented in the restored Rump | Portsmouth was not represented in the restored Rump | Portsmouth was not represented in the restored Rump | Portsmouth was not represented in the restored Rump | Portsmouth was not represented in the restored Rump |
| April 1660 | | Richard Norton | | | Henry Whithed | |
| May 1660 | | Andrew Henley | | | Henry Whithed | |
| 1661 | | Richard Norton | | | Sir George Carteret, Bt | |
| February 1679 | | George Legge | | | Sir John Kempthorne | |
| August 1679 | | George Legge | | | Richard Norton | |
| 1685 | | William Legge | | | Henry Slingsby | |
| 1689 | | Richard Norton | | | Henry Slingsby | |
| 1690 | | Edward Russell | | | Nicholas Hedger | |
| 1695 | | Matthew Aylmer | | | Nicholas Hedger | |
| 1696 | | John Gibson | | | Nicholas Hedger | |
| 1698 | | Thomas Erle | | | Sir George Rooke | |
| January 1702 | | John Gibson | | | Sir George Rooke | |
| July 1702 | | Thomas Erle | | | Sir George Rooke | |
| December 1702 | | William Gifford | | | Sir George Rooke | |
| May 1708 | | Thomas Erle | | | George Churchill | Tory |
| December 1708 | | Sir Thomas Littleton, Bt | | | George Churchill | Tory |
| January 1710 | | Sir Charles Wager | | | George Churchill | Tory |
| October 1710 | | Sir Charles Wager | | | Sir John Jennings | |
| 1711 | | Admiral Sir James Wishart | | | Sir William Gifford | |
| 1713 | | Admiral Sir James Wishart | | | Sir Thomas Mackworth, Bt | |
| 1715 | | Sir Charles Wager | | | Sir Edward Ernle, Bt | |
| 1722 | | Sir Charles Wager | | | Sir John Norris | |
| 1734 | | Thomas Lewis | | | Philip Cavendish | |
| 1737 | | Charles Stewart | | | Philip Cavendish | |
| February 1741 | | Edward Vernon | | | Philip Cavendish | |
| May 1741 | | Martin Bladen | | | Philip Cavendish | |
| 1743 | | Martin Bladen | | | Sir Charles Hardy | |
| 1744 | | Martin Bladen | | | Isaac Townsend | |
| 1746 | | Thomas Gore | | | Isaac Townsend | |
| 15 December 1747 | | Hon. Edward Legge | Whig | | Isaac Townsend | |
| 28 December 1747 | | Sir Edward Hawke | | | Isaac Townsend | |
| 1754 | | Sir Edward Hawke | | | Sir William Rowley | |
| 1761 | | Sir Edward Hawke | | | Sir Matthew Fetherstonhaugh, Bt | |
| 1774 | | Sir Edward Hawke | | | Peter Taylor | |
| 1776 | | Maurice Suckling | | | Peter Taylor | |
| 1777 | | Maurice Suckling | | | Sir William Gordon | |
| 1778 | | Hon. Robert Monckton | | | Sir William Gordon | |
| 1782 | | Sir Henry Fetherstonhaugh, Bt | Non-partisan | | Sir William Gordon | |
| 1783 | | Sir Henry Fetherstonhaugh, Bt | Non-partisan | | Hon. Thomas Erskine | Whig |
| 1784 | | Sir Henry Fetherstonhaugh, Bt | Non-partisan | | Hon. William Cornwallis | Non-partisan |
| 1790 | | Sir Henry Fetherstonhaugh, Bt | Whig | | Hon. Thomas Erskine | Whig |
| 1796 | | Lord Hugh Seymour | Non-partisan | | Hon. Thomas Erskine | Whig |
| 1801 | | John Markham | Whig | | Hon. Thomas Erskine | Whig |
| February 1806 | | John Markham | Whig | | Hon. David Erskine | |
| November 1806 | | John Markham | Whig | | Sir Thomas Miller, Bt | Whig |
| 1816 | | John Markham | Whig | | John Bonham Carter | Whig |
| 1818 | | Sir George Cockburn, Bt | Tory | | John Bonham Carter | Whig |
| 1820 | | John Markham | Whig | | John Bonham Carter | Whig |
| 1826 | | Francis Baring | Whig | | John Bonham Carter | Whig |
| 1838 | | Francis Baring | Whig | | Sir George Thomas Staunton | Whig |
| 1852 | | Francis Baring | Whig | | The Viscount Monck | Whig |
| 1857 | | Francis Baring | Whig | | Sir James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone, Bt | Conservative |
| 1859 | | Francis Baring | Liberal | | Sir James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone, Bt | Conservative |
| 1865 | | William Henry Stone | Liberal | | Stephen Gaselee | Liberal |
| 1868 | | William Henry Stone | Liberal | | Sir James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone, Bt | Conservative |
| 1874 | | Thomas Charles Bruce | Conservative | | Sir James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone, Bt | Conservative |
| 1880 | | Thomas Charles Bruce | Conservative | | Sir Henry Drummond Wolff | Conservative |
| 1885 | | Sir William Crossman | Liberal | | Philip Vanderbyl | Liberal |
| 1886 | | Sir William Crossman | Liberal Unionist | | Sir Samuel Wilson | Conservative |
| 1892 | | Sir John Baker | Liberal | | Walter Clough | Liberal |
| 1900 | | Sir John Baker | Liberal | | Thomas Bramsdon | Liberal |
| 1900 | | James Majendie | Conservative | | Reginald Lucas | Conservative |
| 1906 | | Sir John Baker | Liberal | | Thomas Bramsdon | Liberal |
| 1910 | | Lord Charles Beresford | Conservative | | Sir Bertram Falle | Liberal Unionist |
| 1912 | | Lord Charles Beresford | Conservative | | Sir Bertram Falle | Unionist |
| 1916 | | Sir Hedworth Meux | Unionist | | Sir Bertram Falle | Unionist |
| 1918 | Constituency abolished | Constituency abolished | Constituency abolished | Constituency abolished | Constituency abolished | Constituency abolished |
Notes
* ↑ Percy was re-elected to serve in the Long Parliament but was also elected for Northumberland, which he chose to represent, and did not sit again for Portsmouth
* ↑ This list follows that given by Brunton & Pennington. Cobbett lists Dowse as elected after the Civil War to replace Nicholas Weston, disabled from sitting in 1642, but Brunton & Pennington's more recent research records Weston as MP for Newtown (Isle of Wight).
* 1 2 Erle was also elected for Wareham, which he chose to represent, and did not for Portsmouth in this Parliament
* ↑ On petition, the result of the 1710 election was overturned, and Wager and Jennings were declared not to have been duly elected
* ↑ Gore was re-elected in 1747, but had also been elected for Bedford, which he chose to represent, and did not sit again for Portsmouth
* ↑ It was soon afterwards discovered that Legge, who had been elected while on naval service overseas, had been dead 87 days before his election, which was declared void
* ↑ Admiral from 1757

## Election notes

The bloc vote electoral system was used in two seat elections and first past the post for single member by-elections. Each voter had up to as many votes as there were seats to be filled. Votes had to be cast by a spoken declaration, in public, at the hustings (until the secret ballot was introduced in 1872).
Note on percentage change calculations: Where there was only one candidate of a party in successive elections, for the same number of seats, change is calculated on the party percentage vote. Where there was more than one candidate, in one or both successive elections for the same number of seats, then change is calculated on the individual percentage vote.
Note on sources: The information for the election results given below is taken from Sedgwick 1715–1754, Namier and Brooke 1754–1790, Stooks Smith 1790–1832 and from Craig thereafter. Where Stooks Smith gives additional information or differs from the other sources this is indicated in a note after the result.

## Election results 1715–1800
### Elections in the 1710s

General election 31 January 1715: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Ernle | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Wager | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Seat vacated when Wager was appointed to an office
By-Election 7 April 1715: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Wager | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Seat vacated when Wager was appointed to an office
By-Election 28 March 1718: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Wager | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1720s

General election 24 March 1722: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | John Norris | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Wager | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
General election 19 August 1727: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | John Norris | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Wager | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |

### Elections in the 1730s

General election 24 April 1734: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Thomas Lewis | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Philip Cavendish | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Death of Lewis
By-Election 10 February 1737: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Charles Stewart | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1740s

* Death of Stewart
By-Election 21 February 1741: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Tory | Edward Vernon | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 6 May 1741: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Philip Cavendish | 60 | 48.78 | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Martin Bladen | 54 | 43.90 | N/A |
| | Tory | Edward Vernon | 9 | 7.32 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 123 | N/A | N/A |
* Seat vacated when Cavendish was appointed to an office
By-Election 23 March 1742: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Philip Cavendish | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Death of Cavendish
By-Election 14 December 1743: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Sir Charles Hardy | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Death of Hardy
By-Election 28 December 1744: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Isaac Townsend | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Death of Bladen
By-Election 3 March 1746: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Thomas Gore | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1 July 1747: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Isaac Townsend | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Thomas Gore | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Gore chose to sit for Bedford
By-Election 15 December 1747: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Legge | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Election declared void on 19 December 1747 as, unknown to anyone in England on 15 December, Legge had died on 19 September 1747.
By-Election 28 December 1747: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Hawke | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1750s

General election 18 April 1754: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | William Rowley | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Hawke | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Seat vacated when Rowley was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty
By-Election 25 April 1757: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | William Rowley | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1760s

General election 31 March 1761: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Hawke | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Matthew Fetherstonhaugh | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Seat vacated when Hawke was appointed a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty
By-Election 10 December 1766: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Hawke | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 22 March 1768: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Edward Hawke | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Matthew Fetherstonhaugh | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Death of Fetherstonhaugh

### Elections in the 1770s

By-Election 29 March 1774: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Peter Taylor | 39 | 61.90 | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Joshua Iremonger | 24 | 38.10 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15 | 23.80 | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 10 October 1774: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Nonpartisan | Edward Hawke | 65 | 47.79 | N/A |
| Nonpartisan | Peter Taylor | 37 | 27.21 | N/A |
| Nonpartisan | Joshua Iremonger | 34 | 25.00 | N/A |
* Creation of Hawke as a peer
By-Election 18 May 1776: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Maurice Suckling | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Death of Taylor
By-Election 26 November 1777: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | William Gordon | 23 | 65.71 | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Henry Fetherstonhaugh | 12 | 34.29 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11 | 31.43 | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Death of Suckling
By-Election 10 August 1778: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Robert Monckton | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1780s

General election 9 September 1780: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Nonpartisan | Robert Monckton | 34 | 52.31 | N/A |
| Nonpartisan | William Gordon | 20 | 30.77 | N/A |
| Nonpartisan | Henry Fetherstonhaugh | 11 | 16.92 | N/A |
* Death of Monckton
By-Election 5 June 1782: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Henry Fetherstonhaugh | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan hold | Nonpartisan hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Seat vacated on the grant of a pension, at the pleasure of the Crown, to Gordon
By-Election 28 July 1783: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Thomas Erskine | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig gain from Nonpartisan | Whig gain from Nonpartisan | Swing | N/A | |
* Source for party: Stooks Smith
General election 1 April 1784: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Nonpartisan | Henry Fetherstonhaugh | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | William Cornwallis | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |

### Elections in the 1790s

General election 1790: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Henry Fetherstonhaugh | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig | Thomas Erskine | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
General election 1796: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Thomas Erskine | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Nonpartisan | Hugh Seymour | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Seymour is referred to as Hugh Seymour-Conway in the above list of members of parliament

## Election results 1801–1918
### Elections in the 1800s

* Death of Seymour
By-Election November 1801: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Markham | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig gain from Nonpartisan | Whig gain from Nonpartisan | Whig gain from Nonpartisan | Whig gain from Nonpartisan | Whig gain from Nonpartisan |
General election 1802: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Thomas Erskine | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig | John Markham | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* The above list of members of parliament includes David Montagu Erskine as an MP in 1806, in succession to his father Thomas Erskine (who became Lord Chancellor and was elevated to the peerage as the 1st Baron Erskine in 1806). Stooks Smith does not record this election
General election 1806: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Markham | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig | Thomas Miller | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
General election 1807: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Markham | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig | Thomas Miller | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |

### Elections in the 1810s

General election 1812: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Markham | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig | Thomas Miller | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
* Death of Miller
By-Election February 1817: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
General election 1818: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Tory | George Cockburn | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |

### Elections in the 1820s

General election 1820: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | 53 | 48.62 | N/A |
| | Whig | John Markham | 34 | 31.19 | N/A |
| | Tory | George Cockburn | 22 | 20.18 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12 | 11.01 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 109 | | N/A |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | | |
| | Tory gain from Whig | Tory gain from Whig | Swing | | |
General election 1826: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | N/A | N/A |

### Elections in the 1830s

General election 1830: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Whig | John Bonham-Carter | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
* Seat vacated on the appointment of Baring as a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
By-election, 29 November 1830: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
General election 1831: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 49 | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
General election 1832: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | 826 | 46.1 |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | 707 | 39.5 |
| | Radical | Charles Napier | 258 | 14.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 449 | 25.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 983 | 75.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,295 | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
General election 1835: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | 643 | 30.5 | −15.6 |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | 571 | 27.1 | −12.4 |
| | Conservative | Charles Rowley | 557 | 26.4 | New |
| | Radical | Charles Napier | 335 | 15.9 | +1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14 | 0.7 | −24.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,143 | 85.3 | +9.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,340 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −8.2 | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −6.6 | |
General election 1837: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | 635 | 28.6 | −1.9 |
| | Whig | John Bonham-Carter | 630 | 28.4 | +1.3 |
| | Conservative | George Cockburn | 518 | 23.3 | +10.1 |
| | Conservative | James Harris | 438 | 19.7 | +6.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 112 | 5.1 | +4.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,118 | 71.6 | −13.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,561 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −5.1 | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −3.5 | |
Note (1837): Stooks Smith gives a registered electorate figure of 1,517; but Craig's figure is used to calculate turnout.
* Death of Carter
By-election, 26 February 1838: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | George Staunton | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
Note (1838): Daniel Quarrier (Conservative) was a candidate for this by-election, but retired before the poll.
* Seat vacated on the appointment of Baring as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
By-election, 30 August 1839: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |

### Elections in the 1840s

General election 1841: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig | George Staunton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,834 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
General election 1847: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig | George Staunton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,068 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
* Seat vacated on the appointment of Baring as First Lord of the Admiralty..
By-election, 6 February 1849: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |

### Elections in the 1850s

General election 1852: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig | Charles Monck | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,332 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
* Note (1852): Monck was a peer in the peerage of Ireland.
* Seat vacated on the appointment of Monck as a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury.
By-election, 14 March 1855: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Charles Monck | 1,478 | 75.8 | N/A |
| | Radical | Stephen Gaselee | 473 | 24.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,005 | 51.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,951 | 56.7 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,439 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1857: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone | 1,522 | 33.9 | New |
| | Whig | Francis Baring | 1,496 | 33.3 | N/A |
| | Whig | Charles Monck | 1,476 | 32.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 46 | 1.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,247 (est) | 61.2 (est) | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,671 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | N/A | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Note (1857): Number of voters unknown. The turnout is estimated by dividing the number of votes by two. To the extent that electors did not use both their votes, the figure given will be an underestimate of actual turnout.
General election 1859: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone | 1,640 | 27.1 | +10.1 |
| | Liberal | Francis Baring | 1,574 | 26.0 | −7.3 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Charles Bruce | 1,447 | 23.9 | +6.9 |
| | Liberal | Henry Keppel | 1,386 | 22.9 | −9.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,024 (est) | 79.1 (est) | +17.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,821 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 66 | 1.1 | 0.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +9.4 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 127 | 2.1 | N/A |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −7.9 | |
* Note (1859): Estimated turnout, see the 1857 note.

### Elections in the 1860s

General election 1865: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Henry Stone | 2,164 | 28.8 | +2.8 |
| | Liberal | Stephen Gaselee | 2,103 | 28.0 | +5.1 |
| | Conservative | James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone | 1,677 | 22.4 | −4.7 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Charles Bruce | 1,559 | 20.8 | −3.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 426 | 5.6 | +3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,752 (est) | 80.3 (est) | +1.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 4,670 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +3.4 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +4.5 | |
* Note (1865): Estimated turnout, see the 1857 note.
* Expansion of the electorate provided for by the Reform Act 1867
General election 1868: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone | 5,306 | 41.5 | −1.7 |
| | Liberal | William Henry Stone | 3,785 | 29.6 | +0.8 |
| | Liberal | Stephen Gaselee | 3,687 | 28.9 | +0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,521 | 11.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,042 (est) | 78.0 (est) | −2.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,597 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | −1.7 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +0.8 | |
* Note (1868): Estimated turnout, see the 1857 note.

### Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone | 5,927 | 28.2 | +7.4 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Charles Bruce | 5,879 | 27.9 | +7.1 |
| | Liberal | William Henry Stone | 4,644 | 22.1 | −7.5 |
| | Liberal | Sir Wyndham Portal, 1st Baronet | 4,588 | 21.8 | −7.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,235 | 5.8 | −5.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,519 | 70.5 | −7.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 14,931 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +7.4 | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +7.2 | |
* Note (1874): Estimated turnout, see the 1857 note.
* Seat vacated on the appointment of Elphinstone as a Lord Commissioner of the Treasury
By-Election 16 March 1874: Portsmouth :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Dalrymple-Horn-Elphinstone | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Charles Bruce | 6,683 | 26.4 | −1.5 |
| | Conservative | Henry Drummond Wolff | 6,593 | 26.0 | −2.2 |
| | Liberal | John Freeman Norris | 6,040 | 23.8 | +1.7 |
| | Liberal | Edmund Verney | 6,023 | 23.8 | +2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 553 | 2.2 | −3.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 12,670 | 77.0 | +6.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 16,463 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.6 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.1 | |
* Note (1880): Estimated turnout, see the 1857 note.
* Electorate expanded by the Representation of the People Act 1884
General election 1885: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Crossman | 8,367 | 26.3 | +2.5 |
| | Liberal | Philip Vanderbyl | 8,214 | 25.8 | +2.0 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Charles Bruce | 7,650 | 24.0 | −2.4 |
| | Conservative | Henry Drummond Wolff | 7,595 | 23.9 | −2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 564 | 1.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,068 | 79.2 | +2.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,279 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.5 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.1 | |
General election 1886: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | William Crossman | 8,482 | 27.2 | +3.2 |
| | Conservative | Samuel Wilson | 8,325 | 26.8 | +2.9 |
| | Liberal | Philip Vanderbyl | 7,196 | 23.2 | −2.6 |
| | Liberal | John Baker | 7,069 | 22.8 | −3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,722 | 77.5 | −1.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 20,279 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,286 | 4.0 | N/A |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.9 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,256 | 4.0 | N/A |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +3.2 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Baker | 9,643 | 25.9 | +3.1 |
| | Liberal | Walter Clough | 9,448 | 25.4 | +2.2 |
| | Conservative | George Henry Smith Willis | 9,135 | 24.5 | −2.3 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Anthony Ashley | 9,000 | 24.2 | −3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 313 | 0.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,731 | 80.6 | +3.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 23,237 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +3.1 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.3 | |
General election 1895: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Baker | 10,451 | 26.2 | +0.3 |
| | Liberal | Walter Clough | 10,255 | 25.6 | +0.2 |
| | Conservative | Alfred Harmsworth | 9,717 | 24.3 | −0.2 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Anthony Ashley | 9,567 | 23.9 | −0.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 538 | 1.3 | +0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,129 | 83.7 | +3.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 24,057 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +0.3 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +0.3 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

1900 Portsmouth by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Bramsdon | 10,287 | 51.4 | −0.4 |
| | Conservative | James Majendie | 9,708 | 48.6 | +0.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 579 | 2.8 | +1.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,995 | 74.9 | −8.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 26,698 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −0.4 | |
General election 1900: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Majendie | 10,818 | 26.1 | +1.8 |
| | Conservative | Reginald Lucas | 10,383 | 25.1 | +1.2 |
| | Liberal | John Baker | 10,214 | 24.6 | −1.6 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Bramsdon | 10,031 | 24.2 | −1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 169 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,072 | 78.9 | −4.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 26,698 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +1.7 | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +1.3 | |
General election 1906: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Bramsdon | 10,500 | 22.6 | −1.6 |
| | Liberal | John Baker | 10,236 | 22.0 | −2.6 |
| | Labour Repr. Cmte. | William Sanders | 8,172 | 17.6 | New |
| | Conservative | E.W. Hills | 7,970 | 17.1 | −9.0 |
| | Conservative | A. Whitelaw | 7,752 | 16.7 | −8.4 |
| | Naval | Fred T. Jane | 1,859 | 4.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,530 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 25,478 | 82.8 | +3.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 30,754 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +3.7 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.9 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Lord Charles Beresford | 16,777 | 28.7 | +11.6 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Bertram Falle | 15,592 | 26.8 | +10.1 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Bramsdon | 12,397 | 21.3 | −1.3 |
| | Liberal | Richard Lambert | 9,965 | 17.1 | −4.9 |
| | Labour | William Sanders | 3,529 | 6.1 | −11.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,100 | 89.4 | +6.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 33,666 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,380 | 7.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +6.5 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,627 | 9.7 | N/A |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +7.5 | |
General election December 1910: Portsmouth (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Lord Charles Beresford | 15,125 | 26.9 | −1.8 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Bertram Falle | 14,856 | 26.5 | −0.3 |
| | Liberal | Edward Hemmerde | 13,146 | 23.4 | +2.1 |
| | Liberal | Henry Harben | 13,013 | 23.2 | +4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 28,236 | 83.9 | −5.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 33,666 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,979 | 3.5 | −3.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.0 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,843 | 3.3 | −6.4 |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | −2.2 | |
1916 Portsmouth by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Hedworth Meux | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold |