# South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)

South Norfolk is a constituency in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament represented by Ben Goldsborough, a member of the Labour Party, after winning the seat in the 2024 general election.

## Constituency profile

This is a rural constituency to the south of Norwich with small market towns and villages. Residents' health and wealth are around average for the UK.

## History

Following the Reform Act 1832 the historic county constituency Norfolk was for the first time split into two, two member, county divisions - East Norfolk and West Norfolk.
The Reform Act 1867 led, the following year, to the county's redistribution into three, two member, county divisions. The three divisions, from the 1868 United Kingdom general election became this one, the North and modified Western division.
The Southern division had its place of election at Norwich. This was the same place of election as the abolished Eastern division. In 1868 the same two MPs who had sat for East Norfolk were re-elected for this constituency.
Under the provisions of the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, single member constituencies became the norm and greater equalisation in electorate occurred. In Norfolk the three, two member, county divisions were changed to six single member seats. These were this constituency, a revived East Norfolk, Mid Norfolk, North Norfolk, North West Norfolk and South West Norfolk.
The Southern division was very agricultural in character. The largest town was Diss, which had a population of fewer than 4,000 people in 1900.

## Boundaries and boundary changes
### 1868–1885

* The Hundreds of Walsham, Blofield, Henstead, Humbleyard, Loddon, Clavering, Diss, Deepwade, Earsham, Guiltcross, Shropham, Taverham, Forhoe, and Mitford.
The seat was formed largely from southern parts of the abolished Eastern Division, with a small part transferred from the Western Division.

### 1885–1918

* The Sessional Divisions of Depwade, Diss, Earsham, Loddon and Clavering, and Swainsthorpe.
The northernmost parts were transferred to the re-established Eastern Division and western parts to the new Mid Division. It bordered Mid Norfolk to the west, the borough constituency of Norwich and East Norfolk to the north, the borough of Great Yarmouth and the Suffolk constituency of Lowestoft to the east and another Suffolk division, Eye, to the south.

### 1918–1950

* The Urban District of Diss;
* The Rural Districts of Depwade, Forehoe, Henstead, and Wayland; and
* Part of the Rural District of Thetford.
Gained southern areas of the abolished Mid Division and a small area in the east of the South-Western Division. Lost eastern areas, which comprised the Loddon and Clavering Rural District (later renamed the Loddon Rural District), to the Eastern Division.

### 1950–1974

* The Municipal Borough of Thetford;
* The Urban Districts of Diss and Wymondham; and
* The Rural Districts of Depwade, Loddon, and Wayland.
These areas combined to produce a somewhat more urban constituency than before. Thetford was transferred from South West Norfolk and the Rural District of Loddon regained from the abolished Eastern Division. The (combined) Rural District of Forehoe and Henstead was transferred to the new constituency of Central Norfolk, but Wymondham (which had been created as a separate Urban District in 1935) was retained.

### 1974–1983

* The Municipal Borough of Thetford;
* The Urban Districts of Diss and Wymondham; and
* The Rural Districts of Depwade, Forehoe and Henstead, Loddon, and Wayland.
Regained the Rural District of Forhoe and Henstead, including Costessey, from Central Norfolk, which was now abolished.
This was the last redistribution before a major reorganisation of local government, which amalgamated many of the smaller local authorities and which was reflected in the 1983 redistribution.

### 1983–1997

* District of South Norfolk.
Thetford and the area comprising the former Rural District of Wayland, including Attleborough, which had been included in the District of Breckland, were transferred to the redrawn South West Norfolk constituency.

### 1997–2010

* District of South Norfolk, except the wards of Cringleford and Colney, and New Costessey.
The two excluded wards were transferred to Norwich South.

### 2010–2024

* District of South Norfolk wards of Beck Vale, Bressingham and Burston, Brooke, Bunwell, Chedgrave and Thurton, Cringleford, Dickleburgh, Diss, Ditchingham and Broome, Earsham, Easton, Forncett, Gillingham, Harleston, Hempnall, Hethersett, Loddon, Mulbarton, Newton Flotman, Old Costessey, Poringland with the Framinghams, Rockland, Roydon, Scole, Stoke Holy Cross, Stratton, Tasburgh, and Thurlton.
Cringleford and Colney (but not New Costessey) were transferred back from Norwich South. Seven District of South Norfolk wards, including Wymondham and surrounding areas, were transferred to Mid Norfolk.

### Current

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency is as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
* The District of South Norfolk wards of: Brooke; Central Wymondham; Cringleford; Easton; Forncett; Hempnall; Hethersett; Loddon & Chedgrave; Mulbarton & Stoke Holy Cross; Newton Flotman; North Wymondham; Old Costessey; Poringland, Framinghams & Trowse; Rockland; South Wymondham; Stratton; Thurlton.
The seat was subject to major changes, with areas to the north of the River Waveney, which forms the boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk - including the towns of Diss and Harleston - forming part of the newly created, cross-county boundary, constituency of Waveney Valley. As part compensation, the town of Wymondham was regained from Mid Norfolk. Other minor changes due to ward boundary revisions.

## Members of Parliament
### MPs 1868 – 1885 (two seats)

| Election | First member | First member | First party | Second member | Second member | Second party |
| 1868 | | Clare Sewell Read | Conservative | | Edward Howes | Conservative |
| 1871 | | Clare Sewell Read | Conservative | | Sir Robert Buxton, Bt | Conservative |
| 1880 | | Robert Gurdon | Liberal | | Sir Robert Buxton, Bt | Conservative |
| 1885 | representation reduced to one member | representation reduced to one member | representation reduced to one member | representation reduced to one member | representation reduced to one member | representation reduced to one member |

### MPs since 1885 (one seat)

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1885 | Francis Taylor | Liberal |
| 1886 | Francis Taylor | Liberal Unionist |
| 1898 by-election | Arthur Soames | Liberal |
| 1918 | William Cozens-Hardy $^a$ | Liberal |
| 1919 | William Cozens-Hardy $^a$ | Coalition Liberal |
| 1920 by-election | George Edwards | Labour |
| 1922 | Thomas Hay | Conservative |
| 1923 | George Edwards | Labour |
| 1924 | James Christie | Conservative |
| 1945 | Christopher Mayhew | Labour |
| 1950 | Peter Baker $^b$ | Conservative |
| 1955 by-election | John Hill | Conservative |
| Feb 1974 | John MacGregor | Conservative |
| 2001 | Richard Bacon | Conservative |
| 2024 | Ben Goldsborough | Labour |
Notes:-
* $^a$ Cozens-Hardy stood at the 1918 United Kingdom general election as a Liberal without the Coalition "coupon", but he took the Coalition Liberal whip when Parliament assembled in 1919.
* $^b$ Baker was expelled from the House of Commons in 1954 after being convicted of fraud, forgery and uttering and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ben Goldsborough | 17,353 | 35.0 | +11.6 |
| | Conservative | Poppy Simister-Thomas | 14,527 | 29.3 | −27.2 |
| | Reform UK | Chris Harrison | 7,583 | 15.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher Brown | 5,746 | 11.6 | −5.4 |
| | Green | Catherine Rowett | 3,987 | 8.0 | +4.8 |
| | Independent | Paco Davila | 254 | 0.5 | N/A |
| | SDP | Jason Maguire | 129 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,826 | 5.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,579 | 66.9 | –7.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 74,135 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 19.4 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 29,298 | 56.5 |
| | Labour | 12,123 | 23.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 8,799 | 17.0 |
| | Green | 1,637 | 3.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 51,857 | 74.3 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 69,837 |
General election 2019: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bacon | 36,258 | 58.0 | −0.2 |
| | Labour | Beth Jones | 14,983 | 24.0 | −6.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher Brown | 8,744 | 14.0 | +5.7 |
| | Green | Ben Price | 2,499 | 4.0 | +1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,275 | 34.0 | +6.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,484 | 72.5 | −1.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.4 | |
General election 2017: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bacon | 35,580 | 58.2 | +3.9 |
| | Labour | Danielle Glavin | 18,902 | 30.9 | +12.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher Brown | 5,074 | 8.3 | +0.1 |
| | Green | Catherine Rowett | 1,555 | 2.5 | −2.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,678 | 27.3 | −8.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 61,111 | 73.6 | +1.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -4.3 | |
General election 2015: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bacon | 30,995 | 54.3 | +5.0 |
| | Labour | Deborah Sacks | 10,502 | 18.4 | +5.2 |
| | UKIP | Barry Cameron | 7,847 | 13.7 | +9.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jacky Howe | 4,689 | 8.2 | −21.2 |
| | Green | Catherine Rowett | 3,090 | 5.4 | +3.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,493 | 35.9 | +16.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 57,123 | 72.4 | +0.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 2010: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bacon | 27,133 | 49.3 | +4.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jacky Howe | 16,193 | 29.4 | −0.4 |
| | Labour | Mick Castle | 7,252 | 13.2 | −9.3 |
| | UKIP | Evan Heasley | 2,329 | 4.2 | +1.4 |
| | BNP | Helen Mitchell | 1,086 | 2.0 | N/A |
| | Green | Jo Willcott | 1,000 | 1.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,940 | 19.9 | +5.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,993 | 72.2 | +3.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.3 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bacon | 26,399 | 44.8 | +2.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ian Mack | 17,617 | 29.9 | 0.0 |
| | Labour | John Morgan | 13,262 | 22.5 | −2.0 |
| | UKIP | Philip Tye | 1,696 | 2.9 | +1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,782 | 14.9 | +2.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 58,974 | 68.7 | +1.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.3 | |
General election 2001: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bacon | 23,589 | 42.2 | +2.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Anne Lee | 16,696 | 29.9 | +1.6 |
| | Labour | Mark Wells | 13,719 | 24.5 | −1.6 |
| | Green | Stephanie Ross-Wagenknect | 1,069 | 1.9 | +1.1 |
| | UKIP | Joe Neal | 856 | 1.5 | +0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,893 | 12.3 | +0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,929 | 67.6 | −10.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.2 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 24,935 | 40.2 | −12.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Barbara Hacker | 17,557 | 28.3 | +1.3 |
| | Labour | Jane Ross | 16,188 | 26.1 | +8.0 |
| | Referendum | Patricia Bateson | 2,533 | 4.1 | N/A |
| | Green | Stephanie Ross-Wagenknecht | 484 | 0.8 | −0.2 |
| | UKIP | Anthony Boddy | 400 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,378 | 11.9 | −13.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 79,239 | 78.4 | −5.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -6.8 | |
General election 1992: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 36,081 | 52.6 | −0.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler | 18,516 | 27.0 | −6.9 |
| | Labour | CJ Needle | 12,422 | 18.1 | +5.4 |
| | Green | S Ross-Wagenknecht | 702 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | N Clark | 320 | 0.5 | N/A |
| | Independent | R Peacock | 304 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Independent Conservative | R Watkins | 232 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,565 | 25.6 | +6.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 68,577 | 84.0 | +3.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.0 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 33,912 | 53.4 | −0.8 |
| | Liberal | Richard Carden | 21,494 | 33.9 | +1.1 |
| | Labour | Lloyd Addison | 8,047 | 12.7 | −0.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,418 | 19.5 | −1.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 63,453 | 81.0 | +3.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.9 | |
General election 1983: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 30,747 | 54.2 | −0.3 |
| | Liberal | Richard Carden | 18,612 | 32.8 | +17.5 |
| | Labour | Alan Holzer | 7,408 | 13.0 | −17.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,135 | 21.4 | −2.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,767 | 77.2 | −1.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.7 | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 42,792 | 54.5 | +9.0 |
| | Labour | PJ Davies | 23,755 | 30.2 | −2.6 |
| | Liberal | J Bristol | 11,990 | 15.3 | −5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19,037 | 24.3 | +11.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 78,537 | 78.4 | +2.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.8 | |
General election October 1974: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 31,478 | 45.5 | +1.2 |
| | Labour | Hugh Gray | 22,713 | 32.8 | +3.2 |
| | Liberal | M Scott | 14,687 | 21.2 | −4.4 |
| | United Democratic Party | CC Fairhead | 317 | 0.5 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,765 | 12.7 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 69195 | 76.20 | −6.59 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.0 | |
General election February 1974: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John MacGregor | 33,059 | 44.3 | |
| | Labour | RJ Truman | 22,040 | 29.6 | |
| | Liberal | M Scott | 19,115 | 25.6 | |
| | Independent Progressive | CC Fairhead | 337 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,019 | 14.7 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 74,551 | 82.79 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1970: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Hill | 22,614 | 51.9 | +7.1 |
| | Labour | Cyril Shaw | 17,172 | 39.4 | −5.1 |
| | Liberal | Basil Goldstone | 3,811 | 8.7 | −2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,442 | 12.5 | +12.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,597 | 78.50 | −2.90 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | John Hill | 16,968 | 44.78 |
| | Labour | Geoffrey B L Bennett | 16,849 | 44.46 |
| | Liberal | Robert L Crouch | 4,079 | 10.76 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 119 | 0.32 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,896 | 81.40 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election 1964: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Hill | 17,178 | 46.42 | |
| | Labour | Frank R Thompson | 15,012 | 40.56 | |
| | Liberal | Barry HP Turner | 4,819 | 13.02 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,166 | 5.86 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,009 | 82.7 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Hill | 19,275 | 53.8 | +1.7 |
| | Labour | John MacLennan Stewart | 16,542 | 46.2 | −1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,733 | 7.6 | +3.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,817 | 82.4 | +0.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.7 | |
General election 1955: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Hill | 18,690 | 52.1 | −2.4 |
| | Labour | John MacLennan Stewart | 17,215 | 47.9 | +2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,475 | 4.2 | −4.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,905 | 81.8 | −0.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.6 | |
1955 South Norfolk by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Hill | 15,119 | 51.5 | −3.0 |
| | Labour | John MacLennan Stewart | 14,254 | 48.5 | +3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 865 | 3.0 | −6.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 29,373 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −3.0 | |
General election 1951: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Peter Baker | 19,610 | 54.5 | +4.0 |
| | Labour | Lynton Scutts | 16,371 | 45.5 | +1.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,239 | 9.0 | +3.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,981 | 82.4 | −1.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.1 | |
General election 1950: South Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Peter Baker | 18,143 | 50.5 | +18.0 |
| | Labour | Christopher Mayhew | 15,714 | 43.7 | −6.6 |
| | Liberal | George Q Bryant | 2,097 | 5.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,429 | 6.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,954 | 83.6 | +24.6 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +12.3 | |

### Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Norfolk Southern :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Christopher Mayhew | 16,825 | 50.3 | +8.2 |
| | Conservative | John Sandeman Allen | 10,862 | 32.5 | −25.4 |
| | Ind. Conservative | John Holt Wilson | 5,761 | 17.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,963 | 17.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 33,448 | 69.0 | −4.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 48,451 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +16.8 | |

### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Norfolk Southern :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Christie | 18,420 | 57.9 | −7.6 |
| | Labour | Colin Clark | 13,409 | 42.1 | +7.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,011 | 15.8 | −15.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 31,829 | 73.5 | −4.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 43,294 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −7.6 | |
General election 1931: Norfolk Southern :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Christie | 21,195 | 65.5 | +23.5 |
| | Labour | Edwin Gooch | 11,148 | 34.5 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,047 | 31.0 | +23.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 32,343 | 77.8 | +1.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 41,551 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +11.8 | |

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | James Christie | 12,978 | 42.0 | −13.5 |
| | Labour | George Young | 10,686 | 34.5 | −10.0 |
| | Liberal | Ieuan Watkins-Evans | 7,268 | 23.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,292 | 7.5 | −3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,932 | 76.0 | −0.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 40,701 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −1.7 | |
General election 1924: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | James Christie | 14,189 | 55.5 | +7.4 |
| | Labour | George Edwards | 11,376 | 44.5 | −7.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,813 | 11.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 25,565 | 76.5 | +8.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 33,409 | | |
| | Unionist gain from Labour | Unionist gain from Labour | Swing | +7.4 | |
General election 1923: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Edwards | 11,682 | 51.9 | +7.5 |
| | Unionist | Thomas William Hay | 10,821 | 48.1 | −7.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 861 | 3.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,503 | 68.3 | −2.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,937 | | |
| | Labour gain from Unionist | Labour gain from Unionist | Swing | +7.5 | |
General election 1922: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Thomas William Hay | 12,734 | 45.7 | N/A |
| | Labour | George Edwards | 10,159 | 44.4 | +8.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,575 | 3.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 22,893 | 70.8 | +12.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,326 | | |
| | Unionist gain from Labour | Unionist gain from Labour | Swing | | |
1920 South Norfolk by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Edwards | 8,594 | 45.7 | +10.0 |
| | National Liberal | James Henley Batty | 6,476 | 34.5 | −29.8 |
| | Liberal | Charles Roberts | 3,718 | 19.8 | −44.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,118 | 11.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,788 | 58.5 | +2.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,131 | | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Cozens-Hardy | 11,755 | 64.3 | +4.7 |
| | Labour | George Edwards | 6,536 | 35.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,219 | 28.6 | +9.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 18,291 | 55.8 | −25.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,796 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |
General election, December 1910: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Soames | 4,740 | 59.6 | +3.2 |
| | Conservative | T.S. Timmis | 3,212 | 40.4 | −3.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,528 | 19.2 | +6.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,952 | 81.3 | −5.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,779 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +3.2 | |
General election, January 1910: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Soames | 4,781 | 56.4 | −0.7 |
| | Conservative | E.R.A. Kerrison | 3,694 | 43.6 | +0.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,087 | 12.8 | −1.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,475 | 86.7 | +1.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,779 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −0.7 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1906: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Soames | 4,677 | 57.1 | +4.3 |
| | Conservative | Edward Mann | 3,519 | 42.9 | −4.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,158 | 14.2 | +8.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,196 | 85.0 | +6.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,643 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +4.3 | |
General election 1900: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Soames | 3,986 | 52.8 | +8.2 |
| | Conservative | Edward Mann | 3,566 | 47.2 | −8.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 420 | 5.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,552 | 78.2 | −0.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,654 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +8.2 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

By-election, 1898: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Arthur Soames | 4,626 | 58.4 | +13.8 |
| | Conservative | John Sancroft Holmes | 3,296 | 41.6 | −13.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,330 | 16.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,922 | 82.3 | +3.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,625 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | | |
General election 1895: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Francis Taylor | 4,281 | 55.4 | +0.6 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Hamer Dolbey | 3,445 | 44.6 | −0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 836 | 10.8 | +1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,726 | 78.5 | −5.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,847 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | +0.6 | |
General election 1892: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Francis Taylor | 4,288 | 54.8 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Arthur Kitching | 3,535 | 45.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 753 | 9.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,823 | 88.4 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,848 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Francis Taylor | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal |
General election 1885: Norfolk South :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Francis Taylor | 4,530 | 55.8 | +22.5 |
| | Conservative | Robert Buxton | 3,588 | 44.2 | −22.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 942 | 11.6 | +11.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,118 | 80.1 | +1.5 (est) |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,141 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +22.5 | |
General election 1880: Norfolk South (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Robert Buxton | 2,917 | 33.4 | −0.6 |
| | Liberal | Robert Gurdon | 2,906 | 33.3 | −2.2 |
| | Conservative | Clare Sewell Read | 2,905 | 33.3 | +2.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,823 (est) | 78.6 (est) | +3.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,412 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11 | 0.1 | −3.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.0 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1 | 0.0 | N/A |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | −1.8 | |

### Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Norfolk South (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Clare Sewell Read | 3,146 | 35.5 | −4.1 |
| | Conservative | Robert Buxton | 3,010 | 34.0 | −5.0 |
| | Liberal | Robert Gurdon | 2,699 | 30.5 | +9.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 311 | 3.5 | −14.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,777 (est) | 75.3 (est) | +13.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,667 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −4.3 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −4.8 | |
By-election, 17 Apr 1871: Norfolk South (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Robert Buxton | 2,868 | 53.0 | −25.6 |
| | Liberal | Robert Gurdon | 2,547 | 47.0 | +25.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 321 | 6.0 | −11.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,415 | 70.2 | +8.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,719 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −25.6 | |
* Caused by Howes' death.

### Elections in the 1860s

General election 1868: Norfolk South (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Clare Sewell Read | 3,097 | 39.6 | |
| | Conservative | Edward Howes | 3,053 | 39.0 | |
| | Liberal | Henry Lombard Hudson | 1,679 | 21.4 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,374 | 17.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 4,754 (est) | 61.7 (est) | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 7,709 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |