# Southend West and Leigh (UK Parliament constituency)

Southend West and Leigh is a constituency in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. In the 2024 general election the seat was won by David Burton-Sampson for Labour. It was previously held by Anna Firth who won the 2022 by-election, following the murder of the incumbent MP, David Amess.
Prior to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, coming into effect at the 2024 general election, the constituency was known as Southend West.

## History

The constituency was created for the 1950 general election under the Representation of the People Act 1948, when the Parliamentary Borough of Southend-on-Sea was split in two.
Because four members of the Guinness family have held the seat (or its predecessor, Southend) it has been dubbed in political analyses in the media as "Guinness-on-Sea".
The seat had historically been seen by pundits as a safe Conservative seat and from its creation until 2019, the seat was held by the Conservative Party, with majorities ranging from 5.7% during the Labour Landslide of 1997 to 43.4% in 1955.
The seat was represented by David Amess for 24 years, from 1997 to 15 October 2021, when he was murdered. Amess was previously the MP for Basildon from 1983. A by-election was held to elect a replacement MP. In a similar vein to the subsequent by-election following the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016, all major contender parties stated they would not field candidates in opposition to the successful Conservative candidate, Anna Firth.
At the 2024 general election it was won by Labour for the first time with a 35.6% share.

## Boundaries and boundary changes
### 1950–1955

* The County Borough of Southend-on-Sea wards of Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh, Milton, Prittlewell, St Clements, Victoria, and Westborough.
Formed primarily from western parts of the abolished Parliamentary Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

### 1955–1983

* The County Borough of Southend-on-Sea wards of Blenheim, Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh, Prittlewell, St Clement's, Southbourne, and Westborough.
Realignment of boundary with Southend East.

### 1983–2010

* The Borough of Southend-on-Sea wards of Belfairs, Blenheim, Chalkwell, Eastwood, Leigh, Prittlewell, and Westborough.
Marginal changes following the redistribution of wards in the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

### 2010–2024

* The Borough of Southend-on-Sea wards of Belfairs, Blenheim Park, Chalkwell, Eastwood Park, Leigh, Prittlewell, St Laurence, Westborough, and West Leigh.
Further marginal changes were due to a redistribution of local authority wards.

### Current (Southend West and Leigh)

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency comprises the whole of the current Southend West seat with the addition of St Luke's ward from Rochford and Southend East.
The constituency comprises a small part of the west of Southend-on-Sea, and includes Leigh-on-Sea and Westcliff-on-Sea. It is bounded to the north and east by Rochford and Southend East, to the north by Rayleigh and Wickford, to the west by Castle Point, and to the south by the very end of the Thames Estuary.

## Members of Parliament

Southend prior to 1950
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1950 | Sir Henry Channon | Conservative |
| 1959 by-election | Paul Channon | Conservative |
| 1997 | Sir David Amess | Conservative |
| 2022 by-election | Anna Firth | Conservative |
| 2024 | David Burton-Sampson | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Southend West and Leigh :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | David Burton-Sampson | 16,739 | 35.6 | +6.6 |
| | Conservative | Anna Firth | 14,790 | 31.5 | −27.6 |
| | Reform UK | Peter Little | 8,273 | 17.6 | N/A |
| | Green | Tilly Hogrebe | 3,262 | 6.9 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stephen Cummins | 3,174 | 6.8 | −3.8 |
| | Confelicity | James Miller | 262 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Independent | Tom Darwood | 172 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Heritage | Lara Hurley | 99 | 0.2 | N/A |
| | Psychedelic Movement | Jason Pilley | 99 | 0.2 | N/A |
| | Independent | Robert Francis | 98 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,949 | 4.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,968 | 62.5 | –4.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 75,154 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 17.1 | |
2022 Southend West by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Anna Firth | 12,792 | 86.1 | +26.9 |
| | Psychedelic Movement | Jason Pilley | 512 | 3.4 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Steve Laws | 400 | 2.7 | N/A |
| | English Democrat | Catherine Blaiklock | 320 | 2.2 | N/A |
| | Independent | Jayda Fransen | 299 | 2.0 | N/A |
| | Heritage | Ben Downton | 236 | 1.6 | N/A |
| | Freedom Alliance | Christopher Anderson | 161 | 1.1 | N/A |
| | English Constitution | Graham Moore | 86 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | No description | Olga Childs | 52 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,280 | 82.7 | +51.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 15,942 | 24.0 | −43.4 |
| Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | Rejected ballots | 1,084 | | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 66,354 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 30,367 | 59.1 |
| | Labour | 14,913 | 29.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 5,449 | 10.6 |
| | Others | 692 | 1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 51,421 | 66.9 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 76,824 |
General election 2019: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 27,555 | 59.2 | +4.0 |
| | Labour | Aston Line | 13,096 | 28.1 | −5.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nina Stimson | 5,312 | 11.4 | +6.9 |
| | Independent | 77 Joseph | 574 | 1.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,459 | 31.1 | +9.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,537 | 67.4 | −2.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.9 | |
General election 2017: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 26,046 | 55.2 | +5.4 |
| | Labour | Julian Ware-Lane | 16,046 | 34.0 | +15.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lucy Salek | 2,110 | 4.5 | −4.8 |
| | UKIP | John Stansfield | 1,666 | 3.5 | −14.0 |
| | Green | Dominic Ellis | 831 | 1.8 | −2.9 |
| | Southend Independent Association | Tino Callaghan | 305 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Independent | Jason Pilley | 187 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,000 | 21.2 | −10.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,191 | 69.7 | +3.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.2 | |
Jack Monroe had previously been standing for the National Health Action Party, before withdrawing their candidacy on 11 May 2017, citing death threats and concern for their health.
General election 2015: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 22,175 | 49.8 | +3.8 |
| | Labour | Julian Ware-Lane | 8,154 | 18.3 | +4.9 |
| | UKIP | Brian Otridge | 7,803 | 17.5 | +13.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Collins | 4,129 | 9.3 | −20.1 |
| | Green | Jon Fuller | 2,083 | 4.7 | +3.2 |
| | English Democrat | Jeremy Moss | 165 | 0.4 | −0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,021 | 31.5 | +14.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,509 | 66.6 | +1.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.5 | |
General election 2010: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 20,086 | 46.1 | −0.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Welch | 12,816 | 29.4 | +5.4 |
| | Labour | Thomas Flynn | 5,850 | 13.4 | −9.2 |
| | UKIP | Garry Cockrill | 1,714 | 3.9 | +0.5 |
| | BNP | Tony Gladwin | 1,333 | 3.1 | N/A |
| | Green | Barry Bolton | 644 | 1.5 | N/A |
| | Independent | Vel (Marimutu Velmurgan) | 617 | 1.4 | N/A |
| | English Democrat | Terry Phillips | 546 | 1.3 | −0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,270 | 16.7 | −5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,606 | 65.1 | +4.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.8 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 18,408 | 46.2 | −0.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Wexham | 9,449 | 23.7 | −1.2 |
| | Labour | Jan Etienne | 9,072 | 22.8 | −2.3 |
| | UKIP | Carole Sampson | 1,349 | 3.4 | −0.3 |
| | Independent | Marimutu Velmurgan | 745 | 1.9 | N/A |
| | English Democrat | Jeremy Moss | 701 | 1.8 | N/A |
| | Max Power Party | Dan Anslow | 106 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,959 | 22.5 | +1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,830 | 61.9 | +3.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.5 | |
General election 2001: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 17,313 | 46.3 | +7.5 |
| | Labour | Paul Fisher | 9,372 | 25.1 | +2.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard de Ste Croix | 9,319 | 24.9 | −8.2 |
| | UKIP | Brian Lee | 1,371 | 3.7 | +2.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,941 | 21.2 | +15.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,375 | 58.0 | −12.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Amess | 18,029 | 38.8 | −15.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nina Stimson | 15,414 | 33.1 | +2.2 |
| | Labour | Alan Harley | 10,600 | 22.8 | +10.5 |
| | Referendum | Charles Webster | 1,734 | 3.7 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Brian Lee | 636 | 1.4 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | Peter Warburton | 101 | 0.2 | −0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,615 | 5.7 | −18.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,515 | 70.0 | −7.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1992: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 27,319 | 54.7 | +0.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nina Stimson | 15,417 | 30.9 | −7.2 |
| | Labour | Geoffrey Viney | 6,139 | 12.3 | +4.7 |
| | Liberal | Alan Farmer | 495 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | Green | Chris Keene | 451 | 0.9 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | Peter Warburton | 127 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,902 | 23.8 | +7.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,948 | 77.8 | +2.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.8 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 28,003 | 54.4 | −0.1 |
| | Liberal | Gavin Grant | 19,603 | 38.1 | +0.2 |
| | Labour Co-op | Angela Smith | 3,899 | 7.6 | +0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,400 | 16.3 | −0.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,505 | 75.3 | +3.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.1 | |
General election 1983: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 26,360 | 54.5 | −3.2 |
| | Liberal | Gavin Grant | 18,327 | 37.9 | +13.2 |
| | Labour | Joy Nisbet | 3,675 | 7.6 | −8.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,033 | 16.6 | −16.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,362 | 71.7 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -8.2 | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 29,449 | 57.68 | |
| | Liberal | D Evans | 12,585 | 24.65 | |
| | Labour | J Nisbet | 8,341 | 16.34 | |
| | National Front | LJ McKeon | 680 | 1.33 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,864 | 33.03 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,055 | 76.25 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 23,480 | 47.59 |
| | Liberal | W Greaves | 16,409 | 33.26 |
| | Labour | AN Wright | 9,451 | 19.15 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,071 | 14.33 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,340 | 73.16 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election February 1974: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 25,040 | 46.68 |
| | Liberal | W Greaves | 19,885 | 37.07 |
| | Labour | AN Wright | 14,160 | 23.85 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,913 | 9.61 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,085 | 77.23 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election 1970: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 29,304 | 60.05 |
| | Labour | M Burstin | 12,419 | 25.45 |
| | Liberal | JH Barnett | 7,077 | 14.50 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,885 | 34.60 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,800 | 70.70 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 25,713 | 50.89 |
| | Labour | M Burstin | 13,856 | 27.42 |
| | Liberal | Gurth Hoyer-Millar | 10,958 | 21.69 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,857 | 23.47 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,527 | 78.35 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |
General election 1964: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 25,555 | 50.58 |
| | Liberal | Gurth Hoyer-Millar | 14,548 | 28.79 |
| | Labour | Rex Winsbury | 10,423 | 20.63 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,007 | 21.79 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,526 | 78.78 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 27,612 | 58.2 | −6.0 |
| | Liberal | Heather Harvey | 10,577 | 22.3 | +7.3 |
| | Labour | Anthony Pearson-Clarke | 9,219 | 19.4 | −1.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,035 | 35.9 | −7.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,408 | 77.7 | +3.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
1959 Southend West by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Paul Channon | 14,493 | 55.6 | −8.6 |
| | Liberal | Heather Harvey | 6,314 | 24.2 | +9.2 |
| | Labour | Anthony Pearson-Clarke | 5,280 | 20.2 | −0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,166 | 31.4 | −12.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 26,087 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1955: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Channon | 27,326 | 64.2 | −4.9 |
| | Labour | Victor G Marchesi | 8,866 | 20.8 | −10.1 |
| | Liberal | Heather Harvey | 6,375 | 15.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,460 | 43.4 | +5.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,567 | 74.1 | −4.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Channon | 39,287 | 69.1 | +11.7 |
| | Labour | Henry N Lyall | 17,352 | 30.9 | +5.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,755 | 38.2 | +6.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,639 | 79.0 | −4.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1950: Southend West :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Channon | 34,100 | 57.4 | |
| | Labour Co-op | Eric Hutchison | 15,345 | 25.9 | |
| | Liberal | John Scott | 9,907 | 16.7 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,746 | 31.5 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,352 | 83.1 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |