# Barnstaple (UK Parliament constituency)

Barnstaple was a constituency centred on the town of Barnstaple in Devon, in the South West of England. It returned two Members of Parliament to the House of Commons of England until 1707, House of Commons of Great Britain until 1800 and the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom until 1885, thereafter, one.
It was created in 1295 and abolished for the 1950 general election. Most of the area and the town falls into the North Devon seat.

## Boundaries

1885–1918: The Municipal Boroughs of Barnstaple and Bideford, and the Sessional Divisions of Bideford and Braunton.
1918–1950: The Municipal Boroughs of Barnstaple and Bideford, the Urban Districts of Ilfracombe, Lynton, and Northam, and the Rural Districts of Barnstaple and Bideford (including Lundy Island).

## Members of Parliament
### 1295–1885

| Year | | First member | First party | | Second member | Second party |
| 1372 | | Thomas Raymond |
| Jan. 1377 | | Thomas Raymond |
| Oct. 1377 | | Thomas Raymond |
| 1385 | | John Grey | | |
| 1386 | | John Bidewell | | | Jocelin Antony | |
| February 1388 | | Thomas Norris II | | | William Long | |
| September 1388 | | John Sampford | | | Roger Rede | |
| January 1390 | | Thomas Norris II | | | Robert Crook | |
| 1391 | | John Aston | | | Robert Cobbley | |
| 1393 | | Richard Colecote | | | John Herberd | |
| 1394 | | Thomas Norris II | | | John Bidewell | |
| 1395 | | Thomas Norris II | | | John Bidewell | |
| January 1397 | | Robert Napton | | | Thomas Holman | |
| 1399 | | Thomas Hoper | | | Walter Spencer | |
| 1402 | | Robert Napton | | | John But | |
| 1406 | | Thomas Holman alias Pyers | | | John Luttrell | |
| 1407 | | John Bakwell | | | John Hunt | |
| 1410 | | Alfred Wonston | | | John Foxley | |
| 1411 | | Nicholas Broomford | | | Alfred Wonston | |
| May 1413 | | Thomas Haseley | | | John Broomford | |
| November 1414 | | John Pyne | | | John Walwyn | |
| 1420 | | William Weldo | | | Walter Prideaux | |
| May 1421 | | John More II | | | Richard Wood | |
| December 1421 | | John Cokeworthy II | | | Sir John Trebell | |
| 1427 | | Sir John Trebell | | | | |
| 1512 | | John Culme | | | John Goddisland | |
| 1515 | | John Goddisland | | | ? | |
| 1529 | | Hugh Yeo | | | Anthony Bury | |
| 1542 | | George Rolle | | | ? | |
| 1545 | | George Rolle | | | George Haydon | |
| 1547 | | Sir James Wilford died 1550 and repl. by Sir Arthur Champernowne | | | Bartholemew Traheron | |
| 1553 (Mar) | | William Gardiner | | | Thomas Prideaux | |
| 1553 (Oct) | | Robert Carey | | | Roger Worthe | |
| 1554 (Apr) | | Sir John Pollard | | | George Ferrers | |
| 1554 (Nov) | | Robert Apley | | | William Salusbury | |
| 1555 | | Robert Apley | | | George Stapleton | |
| 1558 | | Richard Skinner | | | William Salusbury | |
| 1558–9 | | Sir John Chichester | | | John Darte | |
| 1562–3 | | Arthur Bassett | | | Robert Apley | |
| 1571 | | Peter Wentworth | | | Robert Apley | |
| 1572 | | Vincent Skinner | | | Robert Apley | |
| 1584 | | John Peryam | | | Robert Prowse | |
| 1586 | | Thomas Hinson | | | Lewis Darte | |
| 1588 | | Thomas Hinson | | | John Doddridge | |
| 1593 | | George Chittinge | | | Richard Leye | |
| 1597 | | Thomas Hinson | | | George Peard | |
| 1601 | | Richard Martin | | | Edward Hancock | |
| 1604 | | Thomas Hinson | | | George Peard | |
| 1614 | | John Gostlin | | | John Delbridge | |
| 1621 | | John Delbridge | | | Pentecost Dodderidge | |
| 1624 | | John Delbridge | | | Pentecost Dodderidge | |
| 1625 | | John Delbridge | | | Pentecost Dodderidge | |
| 1626 | | Sir Alexander St John | | | John Delbridge | |
| 1628 | | Sir Alexander St John | | | John Delbridge | |
| 1640 April | | George Peard | | | Thomas Matthew | |
| 1640 November | | George Peard | | | Richard Ferris | |
| | | Peard died; Ferrers disabled | Peard died; Ferrers disabled | Peard died; Ferrers disabled | Peard died; Ferrers disabled | Peard died; Ferrers disabled |
| 1646 | | Philip Skippon | | | John Dodderidge | |
| 1653 | | Not represented in Barebones Parliament | Not represented in Barebones Parliament | Not represented in Barebones Parliament | Not represented in Barebones Parliament | Not represented in Barebones Parliament |
| 1654 | | John Dodderidge | | | | |
| 1656 | | Sir John Coppleston | | | | |
| 1659 | | Sir John Coppleston | | | George Walters | |
| 1660 | | John Rolle | | | Nicholas Dennys | |
| 1661 | | Sir John Chichester, of Raleigh | | | Nicholas Dennys | |
| 1667 | | Sir John Northcote | | | Nicholas Dennys | |
| 1677 | | John Basset | | | Nicholas Dennys | |
| February 1679 | | John Basset | | | Sir Hugh Acland | Tory |
| October 1679 | | John Basset | | | Arthur Acland | |
| 1680 | | John Basset | | | Richard Lee | |
| 1685 | | John Basset | | | Sir Arthur Chichester | |
| 1689 | | Richard Lee | | | Sir Arthur Chichester | |
| 1690 | | Sir George Hutchins | | | Arthur Champneys | |
| 1695 | | Sir Nicholas Hooper | Tory | | Arthur Champneys | |
| 1705 | | Sir Nicholas Hooper | Tory | | Samuel Rolle | |
| 1708 | | Sir Nicholas Hooper | Tory | | Richard Acland | |
| 1713 | | Sir Nicholas Hooper | Tory | | Sir Arthur Chichester | |
| 1715 | | John Rolle | | | Sir Arthur Chichester | |
| 1718 | | John Rolle | | | John Basset | |
| 1721 | | John Rolle | | | Sir Hugh Acland | |
| 1722 | | Lieutenant-General Thomas Whetham | | | Sir Hugh Acland | |
| 1727 | | Richard Coffin | Whig | | Theophilus Fortescue | Whig |
| 1734 | | Sir John Chichester | Tory | | Theophilus Fortescue | Whig |
| 1740 | | John Basset | | | Theophilus Fortescue | Whig |
| 1741 | | John Harris | | | Henry Rolle | |
| 1747 | | Thomas Benson | | | Henry Rolle | |
| 1748 | | Thomas Benson | | | Sir Bourchier Wrey | |
| 1754 | | John Harris | Whig | | George Amyand | Whig |
| 1761 | | Denys Rolle | | | George Amyand | Whig |
| 1766 | | Denys Rolle | | | John Clevland | Whig |
| 1774 | | William Devaynes | Tory | | John Clevland | Whig |
| 1780 | | Francis Basset | | | John Clevland | Whig |
| 1784 | | William Devaynes | Tory | | John Clevland | Whig |
| 1796 | | Richard Wilson | Whig | | John Clevland | Whig |
| 1802 | | William Devaynes | Tory | | Captain Sir Edward Pellew | Tory |
| 1804 | | William Devaynes | Tory | | Viscount Ebrington | Whig |
| 1806 | | William Taylor | Tory | | Viscount Ebrington | Whig |
| 1807 | | William Taylor | Tory | | George Woodford Thellusson | Tory |
| January 1812 | | William Taylor | Tory | | William Busk | Whig |
| October 1812 | | Sir Manasseh Masseh Lopes | Tory | | Sir Eyre Coote | Tory |
| 1818 | | Sir Manasseh Masseh Lopes | Tory | | Francis Ommanney | Tory |
| 1820 | | Michael Nolan | Tory | | Francis Ommanney | Tory |
| 1824 | | Frederick Hodgson | Tory | | Francis Ommanney | Tory |
| 1826 | | Frederick Hodgson | Tory | | Henry Alexander | Tory |
| 1830 | | Stephens Lyne-Stephens | Tory | | George Tudor | Tory |
| 1831 | | Frederick Hodgson | Tory | | John Chichester | Whig |
| 1832 | | Charles St John Fancourt | Tory | | John Chichester | Whig |
| 1834 | | Charles St John Fancourt | Conservative | | John Chichester | Whig |
| 1837 | | Frederick Hodgson | Conservative | | John Chichester | Whig |
| 1841 | | Frederick Hodgson | Conservative | | Montague Gore | Conservative |
| 1847 | | Richard Bremridge | Conservative | | Hon. John Fortescue | Whig |
| 1852 | | Richard Bremridge | Conservative | | Sir William Fraser | Conservative |
| 1854 | | John Laurie | Conservative | | Richard Samuel Guinness | Conservative |
| 1855 | | George Stucley | Conservative | | Richard Samuel Guinness | Conservative |
| 1857 | | John Laurie | Conservative | | Sir William Fraser | Conservative |
| 1859 | | John Ferguson Davie | Liberal | | George Potts | Liberal |
| 1863 | | John Ferguson Davie | Liberal | | Thomas Lloyd | Liberal |
| 1864 | | John Ferguson Davie | Liberal | | Richard Bremridge | Conservative |
| 1865 | | Sir George Stucley | Conservative | | Thomas Cave | Liberal |
| 1868 | | Charles Henry Williams | Conservative | | Thomas Cave | Liberal |
| 1874 | | Samuel Danks Waddy | Liberal | | Thomas Cave | Liberal |
| February 1880 | | Newton Wallop | Liberal | | Thomas Cave | Liberal |
| April 1880 | | Newton Wallop | Liberal | | Sir Robert Carden | 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 |

### 1885–1950

| Year | Year | Member | Party |
| | 1885 | George Pitt-Lewis | Liberal |
| | 1886 | George Pitt-Lewis | Liberal Unionist |
| | 1892 | Alfred Billson | Liberal |
| | 1895 | Cameron Gull | Liberal Unionist |
| | 1900 | Ernest Soares | Liberal |
| | 1911 | Godfrey Baring | Liberal |
| | 1918 | Tudor Rees | Liberal |
| | 1922 | Basil Peto | Conservative |
| | 1923 | Tudor Rees | Liberal |
| | 1924 | Basil Peto | Unionist |
| | 1935 | Richard Acland | Liberal |
| | 1942 | Richard Acland | Common Wealth |
| | 1945 | Christopher Peto | Conservative |
| 1950 | 1950 | constituency abolished | constituency abolished |

## Election results
### Elections in the 1830s

General election 1830: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Tory | Stephens Lyne-Stephens | 370 | 39.0 |
| | Tory | George Tudor | 332 | 35.0 |
| | Tory | Colin Campbell | 246 | 25.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 86 | 9.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 522 | |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Swing | |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Swing | |
General election 1831: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Tory | Frederick Hodgson | 245 | 37.9 | N/A |
| | Whig | John Chichester | 218 | 33.7 | New |
| | Tory | George Tudor | 183 | 28.3 | −6.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 381 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27 | 4.2 | −4.9 |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Swing | N/A | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 35 | 5.4 | N/A |
| | Whig gain from Tory | Whig gain from Tory | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1832: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Chichester | 519 | 42.5 | +8.8 |
| | Tory | Charles St. John Fancourt | 349 | 28.6 | −37.6 |
| | Radical | Thomas Northmore | 225 | 18.4 | N/A |
| | Whig | George Hervey | 129 | 10.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 684 | 95.0 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 720 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 170 | 13.9 | +8.5 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −5.0 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 124 | 10.1 | +5.9 |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Swing | −21.0 | |
General election 1835: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Chichester | 542 | 44.9 | +2.4 |
| | Conservative | Charles St. John Fancourt | 528 | 43.7 | +15.1 |
| | Whig | James Stewart | 134 | 11.1 | +0.5 |
| | Conservative | J Woolley | 3 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 748 | 94.7 | −0.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 790 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14 | 1.2 | −12.7 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −2.6 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 394 | 32.6 | +22.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +6.8 | |
General election 1837: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | John Chichester | 387 | 35.5 | −20.5 |
| | Conservative | Frederick Hodgson | 356 | 32.6 | −11.1 |
| | Conservative | William Best | 348 | 31.9 | +20.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 31 | 2.9 | +1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 666 | 83.9 | −10.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 794 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −12.3 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.4 | |

### Elections in the 1840s

General election 1841: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Frederick Hodgson | 360 | 25.8 | −6.8 |
| | Conservative | Montague Gore | 349 | 25.0 | −39.5 |
| | Whig | John Fortescue | 346 | 24.7 | +7.0 |
| | Whig | John Chichester | 343 | 24.5 | +6.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 701 | 86.9 | +3.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 771 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −6.9 | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | −23.2 | |
General election 1847: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Bremridge | 464 | 38.2 | +13.2 |
| | Whig | John Fortescue | 396 | 32.6 | +6.8 |
| | Conservative | Frederick Hodgson | 356 | 29.3 | −19.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 608 (est) | 77.8 (est) | −9.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 781 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 68 | 5.6 | +5.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.9 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | 3.3 | N/A |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +6.8 | |

### Elections in the 1850s

General election 1852: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Fraser | 406 | 35.9 | +6.6 |
| | Conservative | Richard Bremridge | 393 | 34.7 | −3.5 |
| | Whig | Hugh Fortescue | 332 | 29.4 | −3.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 74 | 6.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 732 (est) | 94.9 (est) | +16.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 771 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.1 | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | −1.0 | |
The election was declared void on petition, due to bribery, causing a by-election.
By-election, 25 August 1854: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Laurie | 333 | 35.4 | −0.5 |
| | Conservative | Richard Samuel Guinness | 323 | 34.3 | −0.4 |
| | Whig | William Tite | 286 | 30.4 | +1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 37 | 3.9 | −2.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 614 (est) | 78.3 (est) | −16.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 784 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.5 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.5 | |
Laurie's election was declared void on petition, due to bribery, causing a by-election.
By-election, 10 March 1855: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Buck | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
General election 1857: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Fraser | 344 | 34.7 | −1.2 |
| | Conservative | John Laurie | 252 | 25.4 | −9.3 |
| | Radical | James Taylor | 180 | 18.2 | N/A |
| | Peelite | George Potts | 179 | 18.1 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Henry Thoby Prinsep | 36 | 3.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 72 | 7.3 | +0.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 496 (est) | 66.8 (est) | −28.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 742 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
* Prinsep withdrew from the election during polling.
General election 1859: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Ferguson Davie | 348 | 34.0 | +15.8 |
| | Liberal | George Potts | 266 | 26.0 | +7.9 |
| | Conservative | George Stucley | 210 | 20.5 | −4.9 |
| | Conservative | William Fraser | 199 | 19.5 | −15.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 56 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 512 (est) | 73.8 (est) | +7.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 693 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +12.9 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +9.0 | |

### Elections in the 1860s

Potts' death caused a by-election.
By-election, 20 Oct 1863: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Lloyd | 305 | 51.8 | −8.2 |
| | Conservative | Richard Bremridge | 284 | 48.2 | +8.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | 3.6 | −1.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 589 | 79.8 | +6.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 738 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −8.2 | |
On petition, Lloyd's election was declared void due to bribery and, on 15 April 1864, Bremridge was declared elected.
General election 1865: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Stucley | 364 | 28.9 | +8.4 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Cave | 331 | 26.3 | −7.7 |
| | Conservative | Howell Gwyn | 302 | 24.0 | +4.5 |
| | Liberal | Henry Hawkins | 262 | 20.8 | −5.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 630 (est) | 88.0 (est) | +14.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 715 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 102 | 8.1 | N/A |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +7.4 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 29 | 2.3 | −3.2 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −7.1 | |
General election 1868: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Cave | 791 | 35.2 | +8.9 |
| | Conservative | Charles Henry Williams | 788 | 35.1 | −17.8 |
| | Liberal | William Herbert Evans | 667 | 29.7 | +8.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,517 (est) | 95.1 (est) | +7.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,596 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3 | 0.1 | −2.2 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +8.9 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 121 | 5.4 | +2.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −8.9 | |

### Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Cave | 757 | 28.7 | −6.5 |
| | Liberal | Samuel Danks Waddy | 675 | 25.6 | −4.1 |
| | Conservative | John Fleming | 622 | 23.6 | +6.0 |
| | Conservative | John Holt | 580 | 22.0 | +4.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 53 | 2.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,317 (est) | 82.8 (est) | −12.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,591 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −5.5 | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | −5.1 | |

### Elections in the 1880s

Waddy resigned in order to contest Sheffield, causing a by-election.
By-election, 12 Feb 1880: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Newton Wallop | 817 | 53.1 | −1.2 |
| | Conservative | Robert Carden | 721 | 46.9 | +1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 96 | 6.2 | +4.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,538 | 93.4 | +10.6 (est) |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,646 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −1.3 | |
General election 1880: Barnstaple (two seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Robert Carden | 856 | 35.9 | +12.3 |
| | Liberal | Newton Wallop | 811 | 34.0 | +5.3 |
| | Liberal | Henry Grenfell | 720 | 30.2 | +4.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 136 | 5.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,194 (est) | 72.5 (est) | −10.3 (est) |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,646 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +3.5 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −0.8 | |
General election 1885: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | George Pitt-Lewis | 4,577 | 55.1 | −9.1 |
| | Conservative | Arthur Kekewich | 3,734 | 44.9 | +9.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 843 | 10.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,311 | 81.6 | +9.1 (est) |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,189 | | |
| | Liberal win | Liberal win | Liberal win | Liberal win | Liberal win |
General election 1886: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | George Pitt-Lewis | 4,222 | 58.8 | +13.9 |
| | Liberal | Isaac Leadam | 2,960 | 41.2 | −13.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,262 | 17.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,182 | 70.5 | −11.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,189 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +13.9 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Alfred Billson | 4,383 | 50.9 | +9.7 |
| | Liberal Unionist | W Leedham White | 4,236 | 49.1 | −9.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 147 | 1.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,619 | 82.5 | +12.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,442 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +9.7 | |
General election 1895: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Cameron Gull | 4,825 | 51.2 | +2.1 |
| | Liberal | Alfred Billson | 4,593 | 48.8 | −2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 232 | 2.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,418 | 86.5 | +4.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,885 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.1 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Ernest Soares | 5,007 | 51.8 | +3.0 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Cameron Gull | 4,660 | 48.2 | −3.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 347 | 3.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,667 | 81.1 | −5.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,916 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +3.0 | |
General election 1906: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Ernest Soares | 6,510 | 59.3 | +7.5 |
| | Conservative | Edgar Horne | 4,465 | 40.7 | −7.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,045 | 18.6 | +15.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,975 | 85.0 | +3.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,908 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +7.5 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Ernest Soares | 6,236 | 53.8 | −5.5 |
| | Liberal Unionist | George Borwick, 2nd Baron Borwick | 5,354 | 46.2 | +5.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 882 | 7.6 | −11.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,590 | 88.3 | +3.3 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −5.5 | |
By-election, March 1910: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Ernest Soares | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
General election December 1910: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Ernest Soares | 6,047 | 54.0 | +0.2 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Charles Sandbach Parker | 5,155 | 46.0 | −0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 892 | 8.0 | +0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,202 | 85.3 | −3.0 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +0.2 | |
1911 Barnstaple by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Godfrey Baring | 6,239 | 52.0 | −2.0 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Charles Sandbach Parker | 5,751 | 48.0 | +2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 488 | 4.0 | −4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,990 | 88.2 | +2.9 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −2.0 | |
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 the July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
* Liberal:
* Unionist: Charles Sandbach Parker
General election 1918: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Tudor Rees | 11,281 | 51.4 | −2.6 |
| | Unionist | Charles Sandbach Parker | 10,679 | 48.6 | +2.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 602 | 2.8 | −5.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 21,960 | 69.1 | −16.2 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |
Both candidates supported the Coalition Government; Rees may have received its endorsement.

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1922: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Basil Peto | 13,793 | 50.3 | +1.7 |
| | Liberal | Tudor Rees | 13,619 | 49.7 | −1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 174 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 27,412 | 83.1 | +14.0 |
| | Unionist gain from Liberal | Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +1.7 | |
General election 1923: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Tudor Rees | 14,880 | 50.1 | +0.4 |
| | Unionist | Basil Peto | 13,614 | 45.8 | −4.5 |
| | Labour | Richard W. Gifford | 1,225 | 4.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,266 | 4.3 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 29,719 | 87.6 | +4.5 |
| | Liberal gain from Unionist | Liberal gain from Unionist | Swing | +2.5 | |
General election 1924: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Basil Peto | 15,479 | 52.0 | +6.2 |
| | Liberal | Tudor Rees | 14,284 | 48.0 | −2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,195 | 4.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 29,763 | 85.9 | −1.7 |
| | Unionist gain from Liberal | Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +4.1 | |
General election 1929: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Basil Peto | 17,382 | 45.9 | −6.1 |
| | Liberal | David Marshall Mason | 16,593 | 43.9 | −4.1 |
| | Labour | Donald Evan Mullins | 3,864 | 10.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 789 | 2.0 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,839 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −1.0 | |

### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1931: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Basil Peto | 20,028 | 52.2 | +6.3 |
| | Liberal | Richard Acland | 18,318 | 47.8 | +3.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,710 | 4.4 | +2.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,346 | 86.3 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.2 | |
General election 1935: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Richard Acland | 19,432 | 50.6 | +2.8 |
| | Conservative | Benjamin Lampard-Vachell | 18,978 | 49.4 | −2.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 454 | 1.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,410 | 83.8 | −2.5 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | 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 and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;
* Liberal: Richard Acland
* Conservative: Marjorie Graves

### Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Barnstaple :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Christopher Peto | 17,822 | 42.6 | −6.8 |
| | Liberal | Mark Bonham Carter | 13,752 | 32.9 | −17.7 |
| | Labour | Ivor Arthur Jack Williams | 10,237 | 24.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,070 | 9.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,811 | 75.8 | −8.0 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | | |