# Devizes (UK Parliament constituency)

Devizes /dɪvaɪzɪz/ was a constituency in Wiltshire, England, which included four towns and many villages in the middle and east of the county. The seat was held by members of the Conservative Party continuously for a century from 1924.
Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was subject to boundary changes which entailed the loss of the town of Devizes to the newly created constituency of Melksham and Devizes. As a consequence, it was renamed East Wiltshire, and first contested under its new name at the 2024 general election.

## History

Until 1885 Devizes was a parliamentary borough, electing two Members of Parliament (MPs) by the bloc vote system until the 1868 election, when the Reform Act 1867 reduced its representation to one MP, elected by the first-past-the-post system of election. The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 abolished the parliamentary borough, and created a new county constituency of the same name, covering a wider area and electing one member. It returned a Conservative MP at every election from 1924.
Its most notable MP was Henry Addington, who held the seat during his term as Prime Minister, as well as when he was Speaker of the House of Commons.

## Boundaries

1885–1918: The Boroughs of Devizes and Marlborough, the Sessional Divisions of Devizes, Everley, and Marlborough and Ramsbury, and part of the Sessional Division of Pewsey.
1918–1950: The Boroughs of Devizes and Marlborough, the Rural Districts of Devizes, Marlborough, Pewsey, and Ramsbury, and part of the Rural District of Highworth.
1950–1983: The Boroughs of Devizes and Marlborough, and the Rural Districts of Devizes, Highworth, Marlborough and Ramsbury, and Pewsey.
1983–1997: The District of Kennet, and the Borough of Thamesdown wards of Blunsdon, Chiseldon, Covingham, Highworth, Ridgeway, St Margaret, St Philip, and Wroughton.
1997–2010: The District of Kennet, the District of North Wiltshire wards of Calne Abberd, Calne Central, Calne North, Calne North East, Calne South, and Calne Without, and the District of West Wiltshire wards of Blackmore Forest, Melksham Forest, Melksham Lambourne, Melksham Roundpoint, Melksham Town, and Melksham Woodrow.
2010–2024: The District of Kennet, and the District of Salisbury wards of Bulford and Durrington.
The constituency covered Devizes in Wiltshire and the surrounding former Kennet district, which included the towns of Marlborough, Ludgershall and Tidworth, together with the large villages of Bulford, Durrington and Pewsey.

## Members of Parliament
### 1295–1640

| Parliament | First member | Second member |
| 1386 | Richard Gobet | William Salter |
| 1388 (Feb) | Richard Cardmaker | William Salter |
| 1388 (Sep) | Richard Cardmaker | William Spicer |
| 1390 (Jan) | Richard Gobet | William Spicer |
| 1390 (Nov) | |
| 1391 | |
| 1393 | William Coventre I | William Spicer |
| 1394 | John Tapener | Richard Brunker |
| 1395 | Richard Cardmaker | William Spicer |
| 1397 (Jan) | William Salter | Henry Webbe |
| 1397 (Sep) | William Salter | John Peyntour |
| 1399 | Richard Cardmaker | William Salter |
| 1401 | |
| 1402 | Simon Skinner | Richard Smith |
| 1404 (Jan) | |
| 1404 (Oct) | |
| 1406 | John Huwet | John Kingston |
| 1407 | John Peyntour | Simon Skinner |
| 1410 | |
| 1411 | |
| 1413 (Feb) | |
| 1413 (May) | John Coventre | Simon Skinner |
| 1414 (Apr) | Thomas Coventre | Robert Smith |
| 1414 (Nov) | William Coventre III | Thomas Coventre |
| 1415 | William Coventre III | Roger Barbour |
| 1416 (Mar) | Richard Litelcote | John Peyntour |
| 1416 (Oct) | |
| 1417 | William Coventre III | Robert Tyndale |
| 1419 | Robert Tyndale | William Hendelove |
| 1420 | John Coventre I | Robert Chandler |
| 1421 (May) | William Coventre III | Robert Smith |
| 1421 (Dec) | John Baker | John Fauconer |
| 1425 | Robert Chandler |
| 1429 | Robert Chandler |
| 1442 | Henry Long | |
| 1492 | Richard Pudsey | |
| 1510–1523 | No names known | No names known |
| 1529 | John Poyntz | Richard Mytton |
| 1536 | ? |
| 1539 | ? |
| 1542 | ? |
| 1545 | Clement Throckmorton | Geoffrey Danielle |
| 1547 | Sir George Howard | Nicholas Throckmorton |
| 1553 (Mar) | ? |
| 1553 (Oct) | William Rede | Thomas Hull |
| 1554 (Apr) | Thomas Highgate | Henry Leke |
| 1554 (Nov) | Thomas Hull | Edward Heynes |
| 1555 | Thomas Hull | James Webbe |
| 1558 | Thomas Hull | Henry Morris |
| 1558 | John Young | Edward Heynes |
| 1562–3 | Hugh Powell | Edward Heynes |
| 1571 | Edward Baynton | William Clerke |
| 1572 | George Reynolds, died and replaced 1580 by John Snell | Henry Grube |
| 1584 | Edward Baynton I | Henry Brouncker |
| 1586 | Edward Baynton I | Henry Brouncker |
| 1588 | Henry Brouncker | John Delabere |
| 1593 | Henry Baynton I or Henry Baynton II | Richard Mompesson |
| 1597 | John Kent | Robert Drew |
| 1601 | Giles Fettiplace | Robert Drew |
| 1604 | Sir Henry Baynton | Robert Drew |
| 1614 | Sir Edward Baynton | William Kent |
| 1621 | Sir Henry Ley | John Kent |
| 1624 | Edward Bayntun | John Kent |
| 1625 | Edward Bayntun | Robert Drew |
| 1626 | Robert Long | Sir Henry Ley |
| 1628 | Robert Long | Thomas Kent |
| 1629–1640 | No Parliaments summoned | No Parliaments summoned |

### 1640–1832

| Election | First member | First party | Second member | Second member | Second party |
| March 1640 | Edward Bayntun | | | Henry Danvers | |
| November 1640 | Edward Bayntun | | | Robert Nicholas | |
| 1653 | Devizes not represented in Barebones Parliament | Devizes not represented in Barebones Parliament | Devizes not represented in Barebones Parliament | Devizes not represented in Barebones Parliament |
| September 1654 | Edward Bayntun | | | One seat only | |
| September 1656 | Edward Scotton | | | One seat only | |
| January 1659 | Chaloner Chute jnr | | | Edward Scotton | |
| March 1660 | William Lewis | | | Robert Aldworth | |
| April 1661 | William Yorke | | | John Kent | |
| December 1666 | John Norden | | | John Kent | |
| October 1669 | Edward Lewis | | | George Johnson | |
| April 1675 | Sir Edward Bayntun | | | George Johnson | |
| February 1679 | Sir Edward Bayntun | | | Sir Walter Ernle | |
| September 1679 | Sir Giles Hungerford | | | John Eyles | |
| February 1681 | Sir Walter Ernle | | | George Johnson | |
| March 1685 | John Talbot of Lacock | | | Walter Grubbe | |
| January 1689 | Sir William Pynsent | | | Walter Grubbe | |
| March 1690 | Sir Thomas Fowle | | | Walter Grubbe | |
| December 1690 | John Methuen | | | Walter Grubbe | |
| November 1695 | John Methuen | | | Sir Edward Ernle | |
| July 1698 | John Methuen | | | Sir Francis Child | |
| January 1701 | Francis Merewether | | | Sir Francis Child | |
| November 1701 | John Methuen | | | Sir Francis Child | |
| November 1702 | John Methuen | | | John Child | |
| March 1703 | John Methuen | | | Francis Merewether | |
| May 1705 | John Methuen | | | Sir Francis Child | |
| December 1706 | Josiah Diston | | | Sir Francis Child | |
| May 1708 | Josiah Diston | | | Paul Methuen | |
| October 1710 | Sir Francis Child | | | Thomas Richmond Webb | |
| August 1713 | Robert Child | | | John Nicholas | |
| January 1715 | Josiah Diston | | | Francis Eyles (expelled) | |
| February 1721 | Josiah Diston | | | Benjamin Haskins-Stiles | |
| March 1722 | Sir Joseph Eyles | Whig | | Benjamin Haskins-Stiles | |
| August 1727 | Francis Eyles | Whig | | Benjamin Haskins-Stiles | |
| April 1734 | Francis Eyles | Whig | | Sir Joseph Eyles | Whig |
| February 1740 | Francis Eyles | Whig | | John Garth | Whig |
| July 1742 | George Lee | Whig | | John Garth | Whig |
| July 1747 | William Willy | | | John Garth | Whig |
| January 1765 | William Willy | | | Charles Garth | |
| June 1765 | James Sutton | | | Charles Garth | |
| September 1780 | Sir James Tylney-Long, 7th Bt. | | | Charles Garth | |
| November 1780 | Sir James Tylney-Long, 7th Bt. | | | Henry Jones | |
| April 1784 | Sir James Tylney-Long, 7th Bt. | Tory | | Henry Addington | Tory |
| December 1788 | Joshua Smith | Tory | | Henry Addington | Tory |
| January 1805 | Joshua Smith | Tory | | Thomas Grimston Estcourt | Tory |
| June 1818 | John Pearse | Tory | | Thomas Grimston Estcourt | Tory |
| March 1826 | John Pearse | Tory | | George Watson-Taylor | Tory |

### 1832–1868

| Election | First member | First member | First party | Second member | Second member | Second party |
| 1832 | | Wadham Locke | Whig | | Montague Gore | Whig |
| February 1834 | | Wadham Locke | Whig | | Admiral Sir Philip Charles Durham | Tories |
| December 1834 | | Wadham Locke | Whig | | Admiral Sir Philip Charles Durham | Conservative |
| November 1835 | | T. H. S. Sotheron-Estcourt | Conservative | | Admiral Sir Philip Charles Durham | Conservative |
| February 1836 | | T. H. S. Sotheron-Estcourt | Conservative | | James Whitley Deans Dundas | Whig |
| May 1838 | | T. H. S. Sotheron-Estcourt | Conservative | | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Conservative |
| February 1844 | | William Heald Ludlow Bruges | Conservative | | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Conservative |
| February 1848 | | James Bucknall Bucknall-Estcourt | Conservative | | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Conservative |
| 1852 | | John Neilson Gladstone | Conservative | | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Conservative |
| 1857 | | Simon Watson Taylor | Peelite | | Christopher Darby Griffith | Conservative |
| 1859 | | John Neilson Gladstone | Conservative | | Christopher Darby Griffith | Conservative |
| Feb 1863 | | William Addington | Conservative | | Christopher Darby Griffith | Conservative |
| Apr 1864 | | Sir Thomas Bateson, Bt. | Conservative | | Christopher Darby Griffith | Conservative |
| 1868 | Second Reform Act: representation reduced to one member | Second Reform Act: representation reduced to one member | Second Reform Act: representation reduced to one member | Second Reform Act: representation reduced to one member | Second Reform Act: representation reduced to one member | Second Reform Act: representation reduced to one member |

### Since 1868

Devizes has been a safe Conservative seat since 1945. The last Member of Parliament was Danny Kruger who had been first elected at the 2019 general election, succeeding Claire Perry O'Neill, who stood down at that election after nine years of holding the seat.
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1868 | Sir Thomas Bateson | Conservative |
| 1885 | Walter Long | Conservative |
| 1892 | Charles Hobhouse | Liberal |
| 1895 | Edward Goulding | Conservative |
| 1906 | Francis Rogers | Liberal |
| 1910 | Basil Peto | Unionist |
| 1918 | Cory Bell | Unionist |
| 1923 | Eric Macfadyen | Liberal |
| 1924 | Percy Hurd | Conservative |
| 1945 | Christopher Hollis | Conservative |
| 1955 | Percivall Pott | Conservative |
| 1964 by-election | Charles Morrison | Conservative |
| 1992 | Michael Ancram | Conservative |
| 2010 | Claire Perry | Conservative |
| 2019 | Danny Kruger | Conservative |

## Fictional Member of Parliament

Devizes was the stated constituency of fictional Conservative MP The Honourable Sir Piers Fletcher-Dervish, Baronet, later Junior Minister for Housing, in the TV sitcom The New Statesman starring Rik Mayall as Alan B'Stard MP, which was produced and set during the same decade (1980s) that Charles Andrew Morrison was MP for the real-life seat. Sir Piers was portrayed by actor Michael Troughton.

## Elections
### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Danny Kruger | 32,150 | 63.1 | +0.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jo Waltham | 8,157 | 16.0 | +6.7 |
| | Labour | Rachael Schneider | 7,838 | 15.4 | −5.6 |
| | Green | Emma Dawnay | 2,809 | 5.5 | +2.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 23,993 | 47.1 | +5.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,954 | 69.4 | −1.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −3.15 | |
General election 2017: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Claire Perry | 31,744 | 62.7 | +5.0 |
| | Labour | Imtiyaz Shaikh | 10,608 | 21.0 | +8.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chris Coleman | 4,706 | 9.3 | +1.2 |
| | UKIP | Timothy Page | 1,706 | 3.4 | −12.0 |
| | Green | Emma Dawnay | 1,606 | 3.2 | −2.6 |
| | Wessex Regionalist | Jim Gunter | 223 | 0.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,136 | 41.7 | −0.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,593 | 71.1 | +0.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.5 | |
General election 2015: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Claire Perry | 28,295 | 57.7 | +2.6 |
| | UKIP | David Pollitt | 7,544 | 15.4 | +10.9 |
| | Labour | Chris Watts | 6,360 | 13.0 | +2.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Manda Rigby | 3,954 | 8.1 | −18.9 |
| | Green | Emma Dawnay | 2,853 | 5.8 | +4.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,751 | 42.3 | +14.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,006 | 70.8 | +2.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 2010: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Claire Perry | 25,519 | 55.1 | +4.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Fiona Hornby | 12,514 | 27.0 | +4.7 |
| | Labour | Junab Ali | 4,711 | 10.2 | −12.2 |
| | UKIP | Patricia Bryant | 2,076 | 4.5 | +0.2 |
| | Green | Mark Fletcher | 813 | 1.8 | New |
| | Independent | Martin Houlden | 566 | 1.2 | New |
| | Libertarian | Nic Coome | 141 | 0.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,005 | 28.1 | +4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,340 | 68.8 | +3.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.3 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 27,253 | 48.5 | +1.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Fiona Hornby | 14,059 | 25.0 | +2.9 |
| | Labour | Sharon Charity | 12,519 | 22.3 | −2.6 |
| | UKIP | Alan Wood | 2,315 | 4.1 | +1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,194 | 23.5 | +1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,146 | 65.2 | +1.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.8 | |
General election 2001: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 25,159 | 47.2 | +4.4 |
| | Labour | Jim Thorpe | 13,263 | 24.9 | +0.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Helen Frances | 11,756 | 22.1 | −4.6 |
| | UKIP | Alan Wood | 1,521 | 2.9 | +1.9 |
| | Independent | Ludovic Kennedy | 1,078 | 2.0 | New |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Long Tall Sally Potter | 472 | 0.9 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,896 | 22.3 | +6.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,249 | 64.2 | −10.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 25,710 | 42.8 | −11.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Antony Vickers | 15,928 | 26.5 | +0.1 |
| | Labour | Frank Jeffrey | 14,551 | 24.2 | +3.4 |
| | Referendum | John Goldsmith | 3,021 | 5.0 | New |
| | UKIP | S. Oram | 622 | 1.0 | New |
| | Natural Law | Stephen Haysom | 204 | 0.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,782 | 16.3 | −10.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,036 | 74.7 | −7.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1992: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Ancram | 39,090 | 53.3 | −1.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jane Mactaggart | 19,378 | 26.4 | −1.5 |
| | Labour | Rosemary Berry | 13,060 | 17.8 | +0.5 |
| | Liberal | S. C. Coles | 962 | 1.3 | New |
| | Green | David Ripley | 808 | 1.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19,712 | 26.9 | 0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 73,298 | 81.7 | +4.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | 0.0 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 36,372 | 54.8 | +0.8 |
| | Liberal | Linda Siegle | 18,542 | 27.9 | −1.0 |
| | Labour | Richard Buxton | 11,487 | 17.3 | +0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,830 | 26.9 | +1.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 66,401 | 77.2 | +2.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.9 | |
General election 1983: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 33,644 | 54.0 | +3.1 |
| | SDP | Elizabeth Palmer | 18,020 | 28.9 | +6.8 |
| | Labour | David Hulme | 10,468 | 16.8 | −6.9 |
| | Wessex Regionalist | G. Ewen | 234 | 0.4 | +0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,624 | 25.1 | −0.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,366 | 75.0 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 32,439 | 50.92 | |
| | Labour | V. E. Finlayson | 16,351 | 25.67 | |
| | Liberal | Jack Ainslie | 14,059 | 22.07 | |
| | Ecology | R. Burcham | 713 | 1.12 | New |
| | Wessex Regionalist | A. B. Mockler | 142 | 0.22 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,088 | 25.25 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 63,704 | 79.60 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 24,842 | 42.45 |
| | Labour | V. E. Finlayson | 17,821 | 30.46 |
| | Liberal | Jack Ainslie | 15,851 | 27.09 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,021 | 11.99 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 58,514 | 75.22 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election February 1974: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 27,878 | 44.53 |
| | Labour | Richard Faulkner | 17,980 | 28.72 |
| | Liberal | J. Crawford | 16,753 | 26.76 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,898 | 15.81 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,611 | 81.29 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election 1970: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 28,475 | 51.65 |
| | Labour | Richard Faulkner | 20,442 | 37.08 |
| | Liberal | John Jones | 6,210 | 11.26 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,033 | 14.57 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,127 | 76.15 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 21,429 | 44.65 |
| | Labour | Ian Hamilton | 18,832 | 39.24 |
| | Liberal | Michael Patrick Fogarty | 7,730 | 16.11 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,597 | 5.41 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,991 | 81.02 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election 1964: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 21,118 | 46.75 |
| | Labour | Irving Rogers | 17,170 | 38.01 |
| | Liberal | Michael Patrick Fogarty | 6,881 | 15.23 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,948 | 8.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,169 | 81.37 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
Devizes by-election, 1964 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Charles Morrison | 19,554 | 46.87 | −4.54 |
| | Labour | Irving Rogers | 17,884 | 42.87 | +1.00 |
| | Liberal | Michael Patrick Fogarty | 4,281 | 10.26 | +3.53 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,670 | 4.00 | −5.54 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,719 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Percivall Pott | 20,682 | 51.41 | −1.28 |
| | Labour | Wilfrid Edward Cave | 16,844 | 41.87 | −5.45 |
| | Independent Liberal | Jack Norton | 2,707 | 6.73 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,838 | 9.54 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,233 | 79.23 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1955: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Percivall Pott | 20,317 | 52.69 | +0.77 |
| | Labour | Wilfrid Edward Cave | 18,242 | 47.31 | −0.67 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,075 | 5.38 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,559 | 78.62 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Christopher Hollis | 20,319 | 52.02 | +6.76 |
| | Labour | Wilfrid Edward Cave | 18,742 | 47.98 | +5.80 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,577 | 4.04 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,061 | 81.41 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1950: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Christopher Hollis | 17,401 | 45.26 | −1.74 |
| | Labour | Wilfrid Edward Cave | 16,216 | 42.18 | +12.28 |
| | Liberal | Richard William Thomas Aston | 4,832 | 12.57 | −10.53 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,185 | 3.08 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,449 | 82.11 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Christopher Hollis | 12,796 | 47.0 | −12.32 |
| | Labour | Wilfrid Edward Cave | 8,120 | 29.9 | New |
| | Liberal | Frances Josephy | 6,278 | 23.1 | −17.58 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,676 | 17.1 | −1.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 27,194 | 67.6 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1939–40: Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;
* Conservative: Percy Hurd,
* Liberal: Frances Josephy

### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Percy Hurd | 14,438 | 59.32 |
| | Liberal | Frances Josephy | 9,903 | 40.68 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,535 | 18.64 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 24,341 | 72.20 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election 1931: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Percy Hurd | 16,702 | 66.27 |
| | Liberal | Joseph William Molden | 8,501 | 33.73 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,201 | 32.54 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 25,203 | 76.20 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Percy Hurd | 11,979 | 47.8 | −13.1 |
| | Liberal | Eric Macfadyen | 10,728 | 42.7 | +3.6 |
| | Labour | R. P. Sheppard | 2,391 | 9.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,251 | 5.1 | −16.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 25,098 | 77.5 | +1.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,371 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −8.4 | |
General election 1924: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Percy Hurd | 12,157 | 60.9 | +12.7 |
| | Liberal | Eric Macfadyen | 7,807 | 39.1 | −12.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,350 | 21.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,964 | 76.2 | +6.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 26,195 | | |
| | Unionist gain from Liberal | Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +12.7 | |
General election 1923: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Eric Macfadyen | 9,202 | 51.8 | +11.1 |
| | Unionist | Cory Bell | 8,574 | 48.2 | −11.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 628 | 3.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,776 | 69.5 | +4.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 25,588 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Unionist | Liberal gain from Unionist | Swing | +11.1 | |
General election 1922: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Cory Bell | 9,598 | 59.3 | −4.5 |
| | Liberal | Hilda Beatrice Currie | 6,576 | 40.7 | +4.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,020 | 18.6 | −9.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 16,174 | 64.9 | +11.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 24,937 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −4.5 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| C | Unionist | Cory Bell | 8,512 | 63.8 | +9.2 |
| | Liberal | James Currie | 4,823 | 36.2 | −9.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,689 | 27.6 | +18.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 13,335 | 53.1 | −34.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 25,091 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | +9.2 | |
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. ||||||

## Election results 1885–1918
### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1885: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Walter Long | 3,849 | 50.6 | −2.9 |
| | Liberal | William Barber | 3,752 | 49.4 | +2.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 97 | 1.2 | −5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,601 | 81.2 | −10.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,357 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.9 | |
General election 1886: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Walter Long | 4,123 | 63.2 | +12.6 |
| | Liberal | John Philipps | 2,397 | 36.8 | −12.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,726 | 26.4 | +25.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,520 | 69.7 | −11.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,357 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +12.6 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Charles Hobhouse | 3,896 | 50.9 | +14.1 |
| | Conservative | Walter Long | 3,758 | 49.1 | −14.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 138 | 1.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,654 | 76.6 | +6.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,987 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +14.1 | |
General election 1895: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Edward Goulding | 4,114 | 53.1 | +4.0 |
| | Liberal | Charles Hobhouse | 3,637 | 46.9 | −4.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 477 | 6.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,751 | 84.7 | +8.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,156 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +4.0 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Edward Goulding | 3,738 | 54.6 | +1.5 |
| | Liberal | Francis Rogers | 3,111 | 45.4 | −1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 627 | 9.2 | +3.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,849 | 77.8 | −6.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,807 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.5 | |
General election 1906: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Francis Rogers | 4,247 | 53.9 | +8.5 |
| | Conservative | Godfrey Dalrymple-White | 3,633 | 46.1 | −8.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 614 | 7.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,880 | 87.7 | +9.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,988 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +8.5 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Basil Peto | 4,709 | 55.7 | +9.6 |
| | Liberal | Francis Rogers | 3,742 | 44.3 | −9.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 967 | 11.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,451 | 91.1 | +3.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,277 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +9.6 | |
General election December 1910: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Basil Peto | 4,408 | 54.6 | −1.1 |
| | Liberal | Sidney Job Pocock | 3,670 | 45.4 | +1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 738 | 9.2 | −2.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,078 | 87.1 | −4.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,277 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.1 | |
General election 1914–15:
Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
* Unionist: Basil Peto
* Liberal: James Currie

## Election results 1868–1880
### Elections in the 1860s

Seat reduced to one member
General election 1868: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Bateson | 385 | 52.0 | −2.4 |
| | Liberal | John Webb Probyn | 321 | 43.4 | +43.4 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Darby Griffith | 34 | 4.6 | −41.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 64 | 8.6 | −37.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 740 | 86.2 | +39.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 858 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −22.9 | |

### Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Bateson | 396 | 52.0 | ±0.0 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Darby Griffith | 364 | 47.8 | +43.2 |
| | Ind. Conservative | Sidney Fitzroy Kelly Sloper | 2 | 0.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 32 | 4.2 | −4.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 762 | 84.5 | −1.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 902 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Bateson | 446 | 53.5 | +1.5 |
| | Liberal | Albert Meysey-Thompson | 388 | 46.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 58 | 7.0 | +2.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 834 | 91.3 | +6.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 913 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |

## Election results 1832–1868

General election 1832: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Wadham Locke | 216 | 45.4 | New |
| | Whig | Montague Gore | 166 | 34.9 | New |
| | Tory | Philip Charles Durham | 94 | 19.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 72 | 15.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 276 | 87.6 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 315 | | |
| | Whig gain from Tory | Whig gain from Tory | Swing | N/A | |
| | Whig gain from Tory | Whig gain from Tory | Swing | N/A | |
Gore resigned after defecting to the Tories, causing a by-election.
By-election, 17 February 1834: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Tory | Philip Charles Durham | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Tory gain from Whig | Tory gain from Whig | Tory gain from Whig | Tory gain from Whig | Tory gain from Whig |
General election 1835: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Wadham Locke | 240 | 49.0 | +3.6 |
| | Conservative | Philip Charles Durham | 154 | 31.4 | +11.7 |
| | Whig | Philip Pleydell-Bouverie | 96 | 19.6 | −15.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 260 | 83.6 | −4.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 311 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 86 | 17.6 | +2.4 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −1.1 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 58 | 11.8 | N/A |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +11.7 | |
Locke's death caused a by-election.
By-election, 25 November 1835: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | T. H. S. Bucknall-Estcourt | 157 | 52.0 | +20.6 |
| | Whig | James Whitley Deans Dundas | 145 | 48.0 | −20.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12 | 4.0 | −7.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 302 | 88.0 | +4.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 343 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +20.6 | |
Durham resigned, causing a by-election.
By-election, 10 February 1836: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | James Whitley Deans Dundas | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative |
General election 1837: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | James Whitley Deans Dundas | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | T. H. S. Bucknall-Estcourt | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 341 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Dundas was appointed as Clerk of the Ordnance, requiring a by-election.
By-election, 26 March 1838: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | James Whitley Deans Dundas | 109 | 51.7 | N/A |
| | Conservative | George Heneage Walker Heneage | 102 | 48.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7 | 3.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 211 | 79.3 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 266 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Following the by-election, Dundas was unseated due to bribery and Heneage was declared elected in his place

### Elections in the 1840s

General election 1841: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | Thomas Sotheron | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 375 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig |
Sotheron resigned, by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, in order to contest a by-election at North Wiltshire, causing a by-election.
By-election, 7 February 1844: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Heald Ludlow Bruges | 202 | 75.1 | N/A |
| | Whig | Christopher Temple | 67 | 24.9 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 135 | 50.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 269 | 69.9 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 385 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1847: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | William Heald Ludlow Bruges | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 389 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Bruges resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.
By-election, 25 February 1848: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Bucknall Bucknall Estcourt | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |

### Elections in the 1850s

General election 1852: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Neilson Gladstone | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | George Heneage Walker Heneage | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 373 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
General election 1857: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Peelite | Simon Watson Taylor | 230 | 45.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Christopher Darby Griffith | 159 | 31.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | John Neilson Gladstone | 118 | 23.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 71 | 22.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 254 (est) | 79.5 (est) | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 319 | | |
| | Peelite gain from Conservative | Peelite gain from Conservative | Swing | N/A | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1859: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Neilson Gladstone | 171 | 35.2 | +11.9 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Darby Griffith | 167 | 34.4 | +3.0 |
| | Liberal | Simon Watson Taylor | 148 | 30.5 | −14.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19 | 4.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 243 (est) | 77.4 (est) | −2.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 314 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +9.7 | |
| | Conservative gain from Peelite | Conservative gain from Peelite | Swing | +5.2 | |

### Elections in the 1860s

Gladstone's death caused a by-election.
By-election, 18 February 1863: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Addington | 170 | 64.4 | −5.2 |
| | Liberal | John Webb Probyn | 88 | 33.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Israel Abrahams | 6 | 2.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 82 | 31.1 | +26.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 264 | 79.8 | +2.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 331 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Addington succeeded to the peerage, causing a by-election.
By-election, 18 April 1864: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Bateson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
General election 1865: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Bateson | 181 | 54.4 | +19.2 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Darby Griffith | 152 | 45.6 | +11.2 |
| | Liberal | John Curling | 0 | 0.0 | −30.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 152 | 45.6 | +41.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 167 (est) | 46.4 (est) | −31.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 359 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +17.2 | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +13.2 | |
* Curling retired before polling day.

## Election results before 1832

General election 1831: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Tory | John Pearse | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Tory | George Watson-Taylor | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | c. 36 | | |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold |
General election 1830: Devizes :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Tory | John Pearse | | | |
| | Tory | George Watson-Taylor | | | |
| | Tory | William Salmon | | | |
| | Whig | Wadham Locke | | | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30 | c. 83.3 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | c. 36 | | |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold |
* Some sources, including the corporation minutes, do not list Locke or Salmon as candidates. However, they are included here as per Stooks Smith.