# Eastleigh (UK Parliament constituency)

Eastleigh is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Liz Jarvis, a Liberal Democrat.

## Constituency profile

The seat forms part of the South Hampshire conurbation between Southampton and Portsmouth, including the railway town of Eastleigh itself. Residents' health and wealth are around average for the UK.

## Boundaries

1955–1974: The Borough of Eastleigh, in the Rural District of New Forest the parishes of Eling and Netley Marsh, in the Rural District of Romsey and Stockbridge the parishes of Ampfield, Chilworth, North Baddesley, and Nursling and Rownhams, and in the Rural District of Winchester the parishes of Botley, Bursledon, Hamble, Hedge End, Hound, and West End.
1974–1983: The Boroughs of Eastleigh and Romsey, in the Rural District of Romsey and Stockbridge the parishes of Ampfield, Braishfield, Chilworth, Melchet Park and Plaitford, Michelmersh, North Baddesley, Nursling and Rownhams, Romsey Extra, Sherfield English, and Wellow, and in the Rural District of Winchester the parishes of Botley, Bursledon, Hamble, Hedge End, Hound, and West End.
1983–1997: The Borough of Eastleigh, and the City of Southampton ward of Woolston.
1997–2010: The Borough of Eastleigh wards of Bishopstoke, Botley, Bursledon, Eastleigh Central, Eastleigh North, Eastleigh South, Eastleigh West, Fair Oak, Hamble, Hedge End St John's, Hedge End Wildern, Hound, West End North, and West End South.
2010–2024: The Borough of Eastleigh wards of Bishopstoke East, Bishopstoke West, Botley, Bursledon and Old Netley, Eastleigh Central, Eastleigh North, Eastleigh South, Fair Oak and Horton Heath, Hamble-le-Rice and Butlocks Heath, Hedge End Grange Park, Hedge End St John's, Hedge End Wildern, Netley Abbey, West End North, and West End South.
2024–present: Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which became effective for the 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
* The Borough of Eastleigh wards of Bishopstoke, Chandler's Ford, Eastleigh Central, Eastleigh North, Eastleigh South, Fair Oak & Horton Heath, Hiltingbury, West End North, and West End South.
* The Borough of Test Valley ward of Valley Park.
The seat underwent major changes with southern areas, including the communities of Hedge End, Botley, Netley and Hamble-le-Rice (42% of the 2010–2024 electorate) forming about half the new constituency of Hamble Valley. To compensate, Chandler's Ford and Hiltingbury were transferred back in from Winchester, along with the neighbouring Test Valley ward of Valley Park, formerly part of Romsey and Southampton North.

## History

Eastleigh constituency was created for the 1955 general election; before then Eastleigh itself had been in the Winchester constituency. It was a fairly safe seat for the Conservatives for nearly forty years until the death of its then MP, former journalist Stephen Milligan, in 1994. At the subsequent by-election, the Liberal Democrats gained the seat on a very large swing, and then held Eastleigh in the four following general elections (1997, 2001, 2005 and 2010), though with somewhat narrow majorities.
Chris Huhne, the MP from 2005 to 2013, was his party's environment spokesman in opposition, before becoming the Liberal Democrat senior spokesman for the Home Office (or Second Shadow Home Secretary). While in the previous role Huhne stood unsuccessfully for party leader in 2006 against Menzies Campbell and again in 2007 against Nick Clegg. Following the 2010 general election, Huhne joined the coalition government's cabinet as Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, but resigned as an MP in February 2013 after admitting perverting the course of justice over a speeding case. His resignation took effect from 5 February, and the following day it was confirmed that a by-election to fill the vacancy would be held on 28 February 2013. Mike Thornton retained the seat for the Liberal Democrats in the by-election. However, at the 2015 general election Thornton was defeated by the Conservative Mims Davies.
Davies retained the seat for the Conservatives in 2017, but for the 2019 election she stood down from this seat, successfully standing for the Mid Sussex constituency instead. Her fellow Conservative, Paul Holmes was duly elected as her successor. Following the 2023 boundary changes, Holmes followed suit and stood down to fight the new seat of Hamble Valley, which contained a minority of the existing Eastleigh seat. At the 2024 election, Liz Jarvis regained the seat for the Liberal Democrats.

## Members of Parliament

Winchester prior to 1955
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1955 | David Price | Conservative |
| 1992 | Stephen Milligan | Conservative |
| 1994 by-election | David Chidgey | Liberal Democrat |
| 2005 | Chris Huhne | Liberal Democrat |
| 2013 by-election | Mike Thornton | Liberal Democrat |
| 2015 | Mims Davies | Conservative |
| 2019 | Paul Holmes | Conservative |
| 2024 | Liz Jarvis | Liberal Democrat |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Liz Jarvis | 15,970 | 34.4 | ±0.0 |
| | Conservative | Samuel Joynson | 14,424 | 31.1 | −20.8 |
| | Labour | Daniel Shearer | 7,005 | 15.1 | +3.4 |
| | Reform UK | Clare Fawcett | 6,151 | 13.3 | N/A |
| | Green | Ben Parry | 2,403 | 5.2 | +3.2 |
| | Independent | Russ Kitching | 467 | 1.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,546 | 3.3 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,420 | 66.3 | −4.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 69,965 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | 10.4 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 25,711 | 51.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 17,070 | 34.4 |
| | Labour | 5,778 | 11.7 |
| | Green | 1,013 | 2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 49,572 | 70.8 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 69,982 |
General election 2019: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Holmes | 32,690 | 55.4 | +5.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lynda Murphy | 17,083 | 29.0 | +3.3 |
| | Labour | Sam Jordan | 7,559 | 12.8 | −7.2 |
| | Green | Ron Meldrum | 1,639 | 2.8 | +1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,607 | 26.4 | +1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 58,971 | 70.3 | −0.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.9 | |
General election 2017: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Mims Davies | 28,889 | 50.4 | +8.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Thornton | 14,710 | 25.7 | −0.1 |
| | Labour | Jill Payne | 11,454 | 20.0 | +7.1 |
| | UKIP | Malcolm Jones | 1,477 | 2.6 | −13.2 |
| | Green | Ron Meldrum | 750 | 1.3 | −1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,179 | 24.7 | +8.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 57,280 | 70.5 | +0.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.1 | |
General election 2015: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Mims Davies | 23,464 | 42.3 | +3.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Thornton | 14,317 | 25.8 | −20.7 |
| | UKIP | Patricia Culligan | 8,783 | 15.8 | +12.2 |
| | Labour | Mark Latham | 7,181 | 12.9 | +3.3 |
| | Green | Ron Meldrum | 1,513 | 2.7 | New |
| | Beer, Baccy and Scratchings | Ray Hall | 133 | 0.2 | N/A |
| | TUSC | Declan Clune | 114 | 0.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,147 | 16.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,505 | 69.7 | +0.4 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats | Swing | +11.8 | |
2013 Eastleigh by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mike Thornton | 13,342 | 32.1 | −14.4 |
| | UKIP | Diane James | 11,571 | 27.8 | +24.2 |
| | Conservative | Maria Hutchings | 10,559 | 25.4 | −13.9 |
| | Labour | John O'Farrell | 4,088 | 9.8 | +0.2 |
| | Independent | Danny Stupple | 768 | 1.9 | New |
| | NHA | Iain Maclennan | 392 | 0.9 | New |
| | Beer, Baccy and Crumpet Party | Ray Hall | 235 | 0.6 | New |
| | Christian | Kevin Milburn | 163 | 0.4 | New |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Howling Laud Hope | 136 | 0.3 | New |
| | Peace | Jim Duggan | 128 | 0.3 | New |
| | Elvis Loves Pets | David Bishop | 72 | 0.2 | New |
| | English Democrat | Michael Walters | 70 | 0.2 | −0.3 |
| | TUSC | Daz Procter | 62 | 0.2 | N/A |
| | Wessex Regionalist | Colin Bex | 30 | 0.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,771 | 4.3 | −2.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,616 | 52.8 | −16.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | -19.3 | |
General election 2010: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chris Huhne | 24,966 | 46.5 | +8.2 |
| | Conservative | Maria Hutchings | 21,102 | 39.3 | +2.1 |
| | Labour | Leo Barraclough | 5,153 | 9.6 | −11.5 |
| | UKIP | Ray Finch | 1,933 | 3.6 | +0.2 |
| | English Democrat | Tony Pewsey | 249 | 0.5 | New |
| | Independent | Dave Stone | 154 | 0.3 | New |
| | National Liberal | Keith Low | 93 | 0.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,864 | 7.2 | +6.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,650 | 69.3 | +4.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | +3.0 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chris Huhne | 19,216 | 38.6 | −2.1 |
| | Conservative | Conor Burns | 18,648 | 37.5 | +3.2 |
| | Labour | Chris Watt | 10,238 | 20.6 | −1.3 |
| | UKIP | Christopher Murphy | 1,669 | 3.4 | +1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 568 | 1.1 | −5.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,771 | 64.8 | +1.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | −2.6 | |
General election 2001: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Chidgey | 19,360 | 40.7 | +5.6 |
| | Conservative | Conor Burns | 16,302 | 34.3 | +0.6 |
| | Labour | Sam Jaffa | 10,426 | 21.9 | −4.9 |
| | UKIP | Stephen Challis | 849 | 1.8 | +1.0 |
| | Green | Martha Lyn | 636 | 1.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,058 | 6.4 | +5.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,573 | 63.8 | −12.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats hold | Liberal Democrats hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Chidgey | 19,453 | 35.1 | +5.2 |
| | Conservative | Stephen Reid | 18,699 | 33.7 | −17.2 |
| | Labour | Alan Lloyd | 14,883 | 26.8 | +7.2 |
| | Referendum | Victor Eldridge | 2,013 | 3.6 | New |
| | UKIP | P.W. Robinson | 446 | 0.8 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 754 | 1.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,494 | 76.9 | −6.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
1994 Eastleigh by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Chidgey | 24,473 | 44.3 | +16.3 |
| | Labour | Marilyn Birks | 15,234 | 27.6 | +6.9 |
| | Conservative | Stephen Allison | 13,675 | 24.7 | −26.6 |
| | UKIP | Nigel Farage | 952 | 1.7 | New |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Screaming Lord Sutch | 783 | 1.4 | New |
| | Natural Law | P. Warburton | 145 | 0.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,239 | 16.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,272 | 58.2 | −24.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +21.5 | |
General election 1992: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Stephen Milligan | 38,998 | 51.3 | 0.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Chidgey | 21,296 | 28.0 | −4.0 |
| | Labour | Johanna E. Sugrue | 15,768 | 20.7 | +4.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,702 | 23.3 | +4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 76,062 | 82.9 | +3.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.0 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 35,584 | 51.3 | +0.3 |
| | Liberal | Martin Kyrle | 22,229 | 32.0 | +1.5 |
| | Labour | David Bull | 11,599 | 16.7 | −1.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,355 | 19.2 | −1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 69,412 | 79.3 | +2.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.6 | |
General election 1983: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 32,393 | 51.0 | −4.9 |
| | Liberal | Martin Kyrle | 19,385 | 30.5 | +12.9 |
| | Labour | Peter Hallmann | 11,736 | 18.5 | −8.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,008 | 20.5 | −9.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 63,514 | 77.0 | −3.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 38,516 | 55.92 | +10.95 |
| | Labour | C.E. Roberts | 18,222 | 26.45 | −5.43 |
| | Liberal | G.D. Johnson | 12,143 | 17.63 | −5.52 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,294 | 29.47 | +16.39 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 68,881 | 80.66 | +1.85 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +8.19 | |
General election October 1974: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 26,869 | 44.97 | +0.48 |
| | Labour | E. Presman | 19,054 | 31.89 | +3.18 |
| | Liberal | G.D. Johnson | 13,832 | 23.15 | −5.56 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,815 | 13.08 | −2.70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,755 | 78.81 | −6.52 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.83 | |
General election February 1974: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 28,512 | 44.49 | −6.54 |
| | Labour | E. Presman | 18,402 | 28.71 | −8.76 |
| | Liberal | G.D. Johnson | 17,178 | 26.80 | +15.30 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,110 | 15.78 | +2.22 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 64,092 | 85.33 | +6.89 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.11 | |
General election 1970: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 30,300 | 51.03 | +5.62 |
| | Labour | Robert TF Flach | 22,248 | 37.47 | −6.64 |
| | Liberal | Christopher J Clayton | 6,825 | 11.50 | +1.02 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,052 | 13.56 | +12.26 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,373 | 78.42 | −5.32 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +6.13 | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 24,337 | 45.41 | −0.12 |
| | Labour | JA Antony Evans | 23,636 | 44.11 | +3.63 |
| | Liberal | John Foster-Rice | 5,617 | 10.48 | −2.51 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 701 | 1.30 | −2.75 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,590 | 83.74 | −0.15 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.75 | |
General election 1964: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 23,429 | 45.53 | −7.96 |
| | Labour | Jonathan SF Boswell | 21,341 | 41.48 | −5.03 |
| | Liberal | John Foster-Rice | 6,685 | 12.99 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,088 | 4.05 | −2.93 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,455 | 83.89 | −0.56 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.46 | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 24,949 | 53.49 | +2.81 |
| | Labour | Christopher Rowland | 21,693 | 46.51 | −2.81 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,256 | 6.98 | +5.62 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,642 | 84.47 | −3.05 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.81 | |
General election 1955: Eastleigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Price | 20,215 | 50.68 | |
| | Labour | John Haire | 19,670 | 49.32 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 545 | 1.36 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,885 | 81.52 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |