# Canterbury (UK Parliament constituency)

Canterbury is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2017 by Rosie Duffield formerly of the Labour Party and since September 2024 an Independent.
The seat dates to the earliest century of regular parliaments, in 1295; it elected two MPs until 1885, electing one thereafter, before being altered by the Representation of the People Act 1918 (the later-termed "Fourth Reform Act", the first being in 1832).

## Constituency profile

The seat takes in the cathedral and university city of Canterbury, rural villages to the south, and the seaside resort of Whitstable to the north. Full time students make up around a quarter of the electorate.

## History
### Constitutional status of seat

The current Canterbury seat is constituted as a county constituency and was formed in 1918 from an expansion of the narrow parliamentary borough (or simply borough) of the same name that existed from 1295 to 1918. This had elected two MPs from 1295 (the Model Parliament) until 1885, and then one until 1918.

### Political history

Before the seat was reformed the politics of the town were greatly influenced by Canterbury Cathedral and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
MP representation in the constituency was suspended between 1880 and 1885, following a corruption scandal in which bribery was found to have been extensively used in the re-election of the two sitting Conservative MPs, and the result was overturned. Following the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act 1883 and the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, representation was resumed at the 1885 general election, when the number of MPs returned was reduced from two to one.
From 1835 (where a Conservative was elected on petition) until 2017, the local electorate elected mostly candidates of the Conservative Party (with the exceptions of the elections of Independent Unionist Francis Bennett-Goldney, MP from 1910 to 1918, and of a few Whigs or Liberals when Canterbury had two seats); the seat was recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest uninterrupted period of one party holding a Parliamentary seat. The election of Labour's Rosie Duffield, who won the seat by just 187 votes in the 2017 election, marked the end of a 185-year period of Canterbury almost always electing Conservative-allied MPs, the longest recorded unbroken record of party representation in British political history. Her victory in this election was largely credited to the strategies of electoral strategist Jack Wilson, who at the time was the youngest senior political adviser in British history.
Duffield kept the seat at the 2019 election, increasing her majority – one of only a handful of seats to swing to Labour. At the 2024 election, her majority increased substantially following the collapse of the Conservative vote.

## Boundaries

1918–1950: The County Borough of Canterbury, the Urban Districts of Herne Bay and Whitstable, the Rural Districts of Bridge and Elham, and the Rural District of Blean with the detached parts of the parishes of Dunkirk and Hernhill which were wholly surrounded by the rural district.
1950–1983: The County Borough of Canterbury, the Urban Districts of Herne Bay and Whitstable, and the Rural District of Bridge Blean.
1983–1997: The City of Canterbury wards of Barham Downs, Barton, Blean Forest, Chartham, Chestfield, Gorrell, Harbledown, Harbour, Little Stour, Marshside, Northgate, North Nailbourne, St Stephen's, Seasalter, Stone Street, Sturry North, Sturry South, Swalecliffe, Tankerton, Westgate, and Wincheap, and the Borough of Swale wards of Boughton and Courtenay.
1997–2010: as 1983 less the two Borough of Swale wards.
2010–2024: The City of Canterbury wards of Barham Downs, Barton, Blean Forest, Chartham and Stone Street, Chestfield and Swalecliffe, Gorrell, Harbledown, Harbour, Little Stour, North Nailbourne, Northgate, St Stephen's, Seasalter, Sturry North, Sturry South, Tankerton, Westgate, and Wincheap.
2024–present: The City of Canterbury wards of Barton; Blean Forest; Chartham & Stone Street; Chestfield; Gorrell; Little Stour & Adisham; Nailbourne; Northgate; St. Stephens; Seasalter; Swalecliffe; Tankerton; Westgate; and Wincheap.
    Electorate reduced to bring it within the permitted range by transferring Sturry to the new seat of Herne Bay and Sandwich.

## Members of Parliament
### MPs 1295–1660

| Parliament | First member | Second member |
| 1386 | Thomas Holt | John Symme |
| 1388 (February) | John Mendham | William Ellis |
| 1388 (September) | John Creking | John Wimpole |
| 1390 (January) | Thomas Lincoln | Thomas Ickham |
| 1390 (November) | |
| 1391 | Edmund Horne | John Proude |
| 1393 | John Sexton | Richard Gervays |
| 1394 | John Proude | Robert Farthing |
| 1395 | William Ellis | Thomas Ickham |
| 1397 (January) | Richard Gervays | John Sexton |
| 1397 (September) | Edmund Horne | Robert Farthing |
| 1399 | John Sheldwich I | Thomas Lane |
| 1401 | Thomas Ickham | John Pirie |
| 1402 | John Sheldwich I | Robert Cooper |
| 1404 (January) | Thomas Chicche | John Sexton |
| 1404 (October) | John Umfray | John Haute |
| 1406 | Edmund Horne | Richard Water |
| 1407 | John Sexton | Richard Water |
| 1410 | Thomas Lane | Henry Lynde |
| 1411 | William Ickham | William Rose |
| 1413 (February) | William Lane | John Sheldwich II |
| 1413 (May) | Thomas Lane | William Emery |
| 1414 (April) | Richard Water | John Sheldwich II |
| 1414 (November) | Thomas Lane | John Sheldwich II |
| 1415 | John Sheldwich II |
| 1416 (March) | Henry Lynde | John Sheldwich II |
| 1416 (October) | William Ickham | William Benet |
| 1417 | John Sheldwich II | Henry Lynde |
| 1419 | John Monyn | John Sheldwich II |
| 1420 | William Benet | William Ickham |
| 1421 (May) | John Sheldwich II | William Lane |
| 1421 (December) | Thomas Langdon | Thomas Norman |
| 1425 | William Benet |
| 1435 | William Benet |
| 1450 | William Benet |
| 1483 | Sir George Browne (died 1483) | |
| 1489 | John Crysp | |
| 1504 | Thomas Atwode |
| 1510 | William Crump | Thomas Atwode |
| 1512 | Thomas Wainfleet | John Hales I |
| 1515 | Thomas Atwode | John Hales I |
| 1523 | Christopher Hales | John Bridges |
| 1529 | Thomas Atwode, died and replaced February 1535 by Robert Darknall | John Bridges |
| 1536 | Robert Darknall | John Bridges |
| 1539 | John Starkey | Robert Lewis |
| 1542 | Robert Darknall | Walter Hendley |
| 1545 | Robert Lewis | ? |
| 1547 | Robert Darknall | Thomas Hales |
| 1553 (March) | Robert Darknall | George Webbe |
| 1553 (October) | John Twyne | William Coppyn |
| 1554 (April) | John Twyne | William Coppyn |
| 1554 (November) | Nicholas Fish | Richard Railton |
| 1558 | Sir Henry Crispe | William Roper |
| 1558/59 | Sir Thomas Finch | George Maye |
| 1562/63 | William Lovelace | Robert Alcock |
| 1571 | William Lovelace} | Robert Alcock |
| 1572 | Anthony Webbe, died and replaced 1582 by Sir George Carey | William Lovelace, died and replaced 1578 by ? |
| 1584 | Simon Brome | John Rose |
| 1586 | Simon Brome | John Rose |
| 1588 | Simon Brome | Bartholomew Brome |
| 1593 | Richard Lee | Sir Henry Finch |
| 1597 | John Boys | Sir Henry Finch |
| 1601 | John Boys | John Rogers II |
| 1604 | John Boys | Matthew Hadde |
| 1614 | George Newman | Sir William Lovelace |
| 1621–1622 | John Finch | Sir Robert Newington |
| 1624 | Thomas Scott | Thomas Denn |
| 1625 | John Fisher | Sir Thomas Wilsford |
| 1626 | Sir John Finch | James Palmer |
| 1628–1629 | Sir John Finch | Thomas Scott |
| 1629–1640 | No Parliaments summoned | No Parliaments summoned |
| 1640 (April) | Edward Masters | John Nutt |
| 1640 (November) | Sir Edward Masters | John Nutt |
| 1645 | Sir Edward Masters | John Nutt |
| 1648 | Sir Edward Masters | John Nutt |
| 1653 | Canterbury not represented in Barebones Parliament | Canterbury not represented in Barebones Parliament |
| 1654 | Thomas Scot | Francis Butcher |
| 1656 | Thomas St Nicholas | Vincent Denne |
| 1659 | Thomas St Nicholas | Robert Gibbon |
| 1659 | Sir Edward Masters | John Nutt |
Back to Members of Parliament

### MPs 1660–1880

| Election | | First member | Party | | Second member | Party |
| 1660 | | Sir Anthony Aucher | | | Heneage Finch | |
| 1661 | | Francis Lovelace | | | Sir Edward Master | |
| 1664 | | Thomas Hardres | | | Sir Edward Master | |
| February 1679 | | Edward Hales | | | William Jacob | |
| August 1679 | | Edward Hales | | | Sir Thomas Hardres | |
| 1681 | | Lewis Watson | | | Vincent Denne | |
| 1685 | | Sir William Honywood, Bt | | | Henry Lee | |
| 1695 | | Sir William Honywood, Bt | | | George Sayer | |
| 1698 | | Henry Lee | | | George Sayer | |
| 1705 | | Henry Lee | | | John Hardres | |
| 1708 | | Edward Watson | | | Thomas D'Aeth | |
| 1710 | | John Hardres | | | Henry Lee | |
| 1715 | | John Hardres | | | Sir Thomas Hales, Bt | |
| 1722 | | Samuel Milles | | | Sir Thomas Hales, Bt | |
| 1727 | | Sir William Hardres, Bt | | | Sir Thomas Hales, Bt | |
| 1734 | | Sir William Hardres, Bt | | | Thomas May | |
| 1735 | | Sir Thomas Hales, Bt | | | Thomas May | |
| 1741 | | Thomas Watson | | | Thomas Best | |
| 1746 by-election | | Sir Thomas Hales, Bt | | | Thomas Best | |
| 1747 | | Matthew Robinson | | | Thomas Best | |
| 1754 | | Matthew Robinson | | | Sir James Creed | |
| 1761 | | Richard Milles | | | Thomas Best | |
| 1768 | | Richard Milles | | | William Lynch | |
| 1774 | | Richard Milles | | | Sir William Mayne | |
| 1780 | | George Gipps | | | Charles Robinson | |
| 1790 | | George Gipps | | | Sir John Honywood, Bt | |
| 1796 | | John Baker | Whig | | Samuel Elias Sawbridge | Whig |
| Election declared void 2 March 1797 ||||||
| March 1797 by-election | | John Baker | Whig | | Samuel Elias Sawbridge | Whig |
| May 1797 | | Sir John Honywood, Bt | Tory | | George Gipps | Tory |
| 1800 by-election | | Sir John Honywood, Bt | Tory | | George Watson | |
| 1802 | | John Baker | Whig | | George Watson | |
| 1806 | | John Baker | Whig | | James Simmons | |
| February 1807 by-election | | John Baker | Whig | | Samuel Elias Sawbridge | Whig |
| May 1807 | | John Baker | Whig | | Edward Taylor | Whig |
| 1812 | | John Baker | Whig | | Stephen Rumbold Lushington | Tory |
| 1818 | | Edward Bligh | Whig | | Stephen Rumbold Lushington | Tory |
| 1830 | | Richard Watson | Whig | | George Cowper | Whig |
| Jan 1835 | | Albert Denison | Whig | | Frederick Villiers | Whig |
| March 1835 | | Albert Denison | Whig | | Stephen Rumbold Lushington | Conservative |
| 1837 | | Albert Denison | Whig | | James Bradshaw | Conservative |
| 1841 by-election | | George Smythe | Conservative | | James Bradshaw | Conservative |
| 1847 by-election | | George Smythe | Conservative | | Albert Denison | Whig |
| 1850 by-election | | George Smythe | Conservative | | Frederick Romilly | Radical |
| 1852 | | Henry Plumptre Gipps | Conservative | | Henry Butler-Johnstone | Conservative |
| 1853 | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended |
| 1854 by-election | | Charles Manners Lushington | Peelite | | Sir William Somerville, Bt | Whig |
| 1857 | | Henry Butler-Johnstone | Conservative | | Sir William Somerville, Bt | Whig |
| 1859 | | Henry Butler-Johnstone | Conservative | | Sir William Somerville, Bt | Liberal |
| 1862 by-election | | Henry Munro-Butler-Johnstone | Conservative | | Sir William Somerville, Bt | Liberal |
| 1865 | | Henry Munro-Butler-Johnstone | Conservative | | John Walter Huddleston | Conservative |
| 1868 | | Henry Munro-Butler-Johnstone | Independent Conservative | | Theodore Brinckman | Liberal |
| 1874 | | Henry Munro-Butler-Johnstone | Conservative | | Lewis Majendie | Conservative |
| 1878 by-election | | Hon. Alfred Gathorne-Hardy | Conservative | | Lewis Majendie | Conservative |
| 1879 by-election | | Hon. Alfred Gathorne-Hardy | Conservative | | Robert Peter Laurie | Conservative |
| 1880 | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended | Constituency representation suspended |
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### MPs 1885–1918

* Constituency representation restored and reduced to one (1885)
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1885 | John Heaton | Conservative |
| December 1910 | Francis Bennett-Goldney | Independent Unionist |
| 1918 by-election | George Anderson | Conservative |
| 1918 | Parliamentary borough abolished, name transferred to a new county division | Parliamentary borough abolished, name transferred to a new county division |
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### Canterbury county constituency
#### MPs 1918–present

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1918 | Ronald McNeill | Conservative |
| 1927 by-election | Sir William Wayland | Conservative |
| 1945 | John Baker White | Conservative |
| 1953 by-election | Sir Leslie Thomas | Conservative |
| 1966 | Sir David Crouch | Conservative |
| 1987 | Sir Julian Brazier | Conservative |
| 2017 | Rosie Duffield | Labour |
| 2024 | Rosie Duffield | Independent |
Back to Members of Parliament

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Rosie Duffield | 19,531 | 41.4 | –7.2 |
| | Conservative | Louise Harvey-Quirke | 10,878 | 23.0 | –21.8 |
| | Reform UK | Bridget Porter | 6,805 | 14.4 | N/A |
| | Green | Henry Stanton | 5,920 | 12.5 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Russ Timpson | 3,812 | 8.1 | +2.4 |
| | SDP | Luke Buchanan-Hodgman | 285 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,653 | 18.4 | +9.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,426 | 66.7 | –9.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 71,171 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 7.3 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Labour | 27,782 | 48.6 |
| | Conservative | 25,622 | 44.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 3,257 | 5.7 |
| | Others | 505 | 0.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 57,166 | 75.7 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 75,499 |
General election 2019: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Rosie Duffield | 29,018 | 48.3 | +3.3 |
| | Conservative | Anna Firth | 27,182 | 45.2 | +0.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Claire Malcomson | 3,408 | 5.7 | −2.3 |
| | Independent | Michael Gould | 505 | 0.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,836 | 3.1 | +2.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,113 | 75.0 | +2.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +1.4 | |
General election 2017: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Rosie Duffield | 25,572 | 45.0 | +20.5 |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 25,385 | 44.7 | +1.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | James Flanagan | 4,561 | 8.0 | −3.6 |
| | Green | Henry Stanton | 1,282 | 2.3 | −4.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 187 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,800 | 72.7 | +8.7 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +9.3 | |
General election 2015: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 22,918 | 42.9 | −1.9 |
| | Labour | Hugh Lanning | 13,120 | 24.5 | +8.4 |
| | UKIP | Jim Gascoyne | 7,289 | 13.6 | +9.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | James Flanagan | 6,227 | 11.6 | −20.9 |
| | Green | Stuart Jeffery | 3,746 | 7.0 | +4.7 |
| | Socialist (GB) | Robert Cox | 165 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,798 | 18.4 | +6.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,465 | 64.0 | −0.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.2 | |
General election 2010: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 22,050 | 44.8 | +0.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Guy Voizey | 16,002 | 32.5 | +11.1 |
| | Labour | Jean Samuel | 7,940 | 16.1 | −12.0 |
| | UKIP | Howard Farmer | 1,907 | 3.9 | +1.9 |
| | Green | Geoff Meaden | 1,137 | 2.3 | −1.0 |
| | Money Reform | Anne Belsey | 173 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,048 | 12.3 | −3.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,209 | 64.1 | −2.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.4 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 21,113 | 44.4 | +2.9 |
| | Labour | Alex Hilton | 13,642 | 28.7 | −8.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jenny Barnard-Langston | 10,059 | 21.1 | +3.3 |
| | Green | Geoffrey Meaden | 1,521 | 3.2 | +1.2 |
| | UKIP | John Moore | 926 | 1.9 | +0.1 |
| | Legalise Cannabis | Rocky van de Benderskum | 326 | 0.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,471 | 15.7 | +11.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,587 | 66.1 | +5.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.5 | |
General election 2001: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 18,711 | 41.5 | +2.9 |
| | Labour | Emily Thornberry | 16,642 | 36.9 | +5.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Wales | 8,056 | 17.8 | −6.0 |
| | Green | Hazel Dawe | 920 | 2.0 | +0.9 |
| | UKIP | Lisa Moore | 803 | 1.8 | +1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,069 | 4.6 | ―2.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,132 | 60.9 | ―11.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | ―1.4 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 20,913 | 38.6 | −11.8 |
| | Labour | Cheryl Hall | 16,949 | 31.3 | +15.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Martin Vye | 12,854 | 23.8 | −8.8 |
| | Referendum | James Osborne | 2,460 | 4.5 | N/A |
| | Green | Geoffrey Meaden | 588 | 1.1 | N/A |
| | UKIP | John Moore | 281 | 0.5 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | Andrew Pringle | 64 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,964 | 7.3 | ―11.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,109 | 72.4 | ―5.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | ―13.9 | |
General election 1992: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 29,827 | 50.8 | −3.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | M. J. Vye | 19,022 | 32.4 | +5.1 |
| | Labour Co-op | Fred Whitemore | 8,936 | 15.2 | −1.7 |
| | Green | W. J. Arnall | 747 | 1.3 | −0.4 |
| | Natural Law | S. E. Curphey | 203 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,805 | 18.4 | −8.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 58,735 | 78.1 | +4.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -4.0 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Julian Brazier | 30,273 | 53.8 | −2.7 |
| | Liberal | John Purchese | 15,382 | 27.3 | +1.4 |
| | Labour | Linda A. Keen | 9,494 | 16.9 | +1.5 |
| | Green | Steve Dawe | 947 | 1.68 | −0.2 |
| | Independent Canterbury Nationalist | Joan White | 157 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,891 | 26.5 | −4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,255 | 74.0 | +4.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -2.1 | |
General election 1983: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Crouch | 29,029 | 56.5 | −1.8 |
| | Liberal | John Purchese | 13,287 | 25.9 | +9.9 |
| | Labour | Jeannette Gould | 7,906 | 15.4 | −8.9 |
| | Ecology | David Conder | 962 | 1.9 | N/A |
| | Independent Nationalist | Joan White | 226 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,742 | 30.6 | −3.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,410 | 70.0 | −4.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.8 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Crouch | 38,805 | 58.28 | +8.47 |
| | Labour | RP Spencer | 16,168 | 24.28 | −1.82 |
| | Liberal | John Purchese | 10,665 | 16.02 | −6.31 |
| | National Front | Joan White | 941 | 1.41 | −0.35 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22,637 | 34.00 | +11.29 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 66,578 | 74.72 | +2.11 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.15 | |
General election October 1974: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Crouch | 31,002 | 49.81 | −0.53 |
| | Labour | MF Fuller | 16,247 | 26.10 | +3.01 |
| | Liberal | SE Goulden | 13,898 | 22.33 | −3.13 |
| | National Front | Kenneth McKilliam | 1,096 | 1.76 | +0.54 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,755 | 23.71 | −1.27 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,239 | 72.61 | −7.63 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.77 | |
General election February 1974: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Crouch | 34,341 | 50.34 | −5.08 |
| | Liberal | S Goulden | 17,300 | 25.36 | +6.09 |
| | Labour | MF Fuller | 15,751 | 23.09 | −2.22 |
| | National Front | Kenneth McKilliam | 831 | 1.22 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,041 | 24.98 | −5.13 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 68,220 | 80.24 | +5.67 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.59 | |
General election 1970: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Crouch | 33,222 | 55.42 | +5.58 |
| | Labour | Henry Gordon N Clother | 15,172 | 25.31 | −2.90 |
| | Liberal | David C P Gracie | 11,553 | 19.27 | −2.68 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,050 | 30.11 | +8.48 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,950 | 74.57 | −1.53 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +4.24 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | David Crouch | 27,160 | 49.84 | −2.13 |
| | Labour | B Sawbridge | 15,372 | 28.21 | −1.26 |
| | Liberal | Edwin W Moss | 11,962 | 21.95 | +3.39 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,788 | 21.63 | −0.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,494 | 76.10 | −0.22 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -1.70 | |
General election 1964: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Leslie Thomas | 26,827 | 51.97 | −14.23 |
| | Labour | George Selous Cobbett | 15,211 | 29.47 | −4.33 |
| | Liberal | Edwin W Moss | 9,582 | 18.56 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,616 | 22.50 | −9.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,620 | 76.32 | +1.18 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -9.28 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Leslie Thomas | 30,846 | 66.20 | −0.35 |
| | Labour | George E Peters | 15,746 | 33.80 | +0.35 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,100 | 32.40 | −0.70 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,592 | 75.14 | +2.48 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -0.35 | |
General election 1955: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Leslie Thomas | 28,739 | 66.55 | +5.46 |
| | Labour | Reginald George Ward | 14,444 | 33.45 | +2.42 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,295 | 33.10 | +3.04 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,183 | 72.66 | −7.40 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.94 | |
1953 Canterbury by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Leslie Thomas | 19,400 | 66.99 | +5.90 |
| | Labour | John A E Jones | 9,560 | 33.01 | +1.98 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,840 | 33.98 | +3.92 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 28,960 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.94 | |
General election 1951: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Baker White | 28,632 | 61.09 | +5.14 |
| | Labour | John A E Jones | 14,543 | 31.03 | +0.27 |
| | Liberal | Thomas H Payne | 3,695 | 7.88 | −5.42 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,089 | 30.06 | +4.87 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,870 | 80.06 | −2.42 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.71 | |
General election 1950: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Baker White | 26,491 | 55.95 | −6.66 |
| | Labour | Jackson Newman | 14,563 | 30.76 | −5.05 |
| | Liberal | Kenneth Graham Jupp | 6,296 | 13.30 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,928 | 25.19 | −3.61 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,350 | 82.48 | +13.70 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -5.86 | |
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### Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Baker White | 24,282 | 61.61 | −11.73 |
| | Labour | Joseph Denis Milburn Bell | 14,115 | 35.81 | +10.15 |
| | Common Wealth | Catherine Williamson | 1,017 | 2.58 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,167 | 25.80 | −22.88 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,414 | 68.78 | +4.33 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
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### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Wayland | 26,552 | 74.34 | −9.33 |
| | Labour | Richard Adams | 9,164 | 25.66 | +9.33 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,388 | 48.68 | −18.66 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,716 | 64.45 | −1.77 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | -9.33 | |
General election 1931: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | William Wayland | 30,328 | 83.67 | +27.0 |
| | Labour | Paul Winterton | 5,921 | 16.33 | +2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 24,407 | 67.34 | +40.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,249 | 66.22 | −2.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
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### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | William Wayland | 19,181 | 56.7 | −13.6 |
| | Liberal | David Carnegie | 9,937 | 29.4 | −0.3 |
| | Labour | Philip Sidney Eastman | 4,706 | 13.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,244 | 27.3 | −13.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 33,825 | 68.3 | +2.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 49,499 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −6.7 | |
1927 Canterbury by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | William Wayland | 13,657 | 57.3 | −13.0 |
| | Liberal | David Carnegie | 10,175 | 42.7 | +13.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,482 | 14.6 | −26.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,832 | 60.8 | −5.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 39,229 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −13.0 | |
General election 1924: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ronald McNeill | 16,693 | 70.3 | +11.9 |
| | Liberal | David Carnegie | 7,061 | 29.7 | −11.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,632 | 40.6 | +23.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,754 | 65.9 | +9.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 36,045 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | +11.9 | |
General election 1923: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ronald McNeill | 12,017 | 58.4 | −12.8 |
| | Liberal | William Robertson Heatley | 8,561 | 41.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,456 | 16.8 | −25.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 20,578 | 59.3 | +2.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 34,715 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1922: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Ronald McNeill | 13,954 | 71.2 | −9.6 |
| | Labour | J.H.L. Sims | 5,639 | 28.8 | +9.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,315 | 42.4 | −19.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 19,593 | 56.8 | +11.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 34,488 | | |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | −9.6 | |
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### Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | 1,371 | 38.8 | −24.9 |
| | Ind. Conservative | Francis Bennett-Goldney | 1,350 | 38.2 | N/A |
| | Liberal | H. B. D. Woodcock | 815 | 23.0 | −13.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | 0.6 | −26.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,536 | 92.2 | +2.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,836 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −5.8 | |
General election December 1910: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Ind. Conservative | Francis Bennett-Goldney | 1,635 | 47.8 | +9.6 |
| | Conservative | John Howard | 1,163 | 34.0 | −4.8 |
| | Liberal | William James Fisher | 623 | 18.2 | −4.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 472 | 13.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,421 | 89.2 | −3.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,836 | | |
| | Ind. Conservative gain from Conservative | Ind. Conservative gain from Conservative | Swing | +7.2 | |
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: Francis Bennett-Goldney
* Liberal: D. Roland Thomas
1918 Canterbury by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | George Knox Anderson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist |
General Election 1918: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| C | Unionist | Ronald McNeill | 11,408 | 80.8 | +46.8 |
| | Labour | Edward Timothy Palmer | 2,719 | 19.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,689 | 61.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 14,127 | 44.9 | −44.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 31,453 | | |
| | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist | Unionist gain from Ind. Unionist | Swing | | |
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. ||||||
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### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
General election 1906: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | 2,210 | 63.7 | N/A |
| | Liberal | William James Fisher | 1,262 | 36.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 948 | 27.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 3,472 | 89.8 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,868 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
General election 1895: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Alfred Gathorne-Hardy | 1,467 | 27.1 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative | Robert Peter Laurie | 1,425 | 26.4 | −3.5 |
| | Liberal | Charles Edwards | 1,294 | 23.9 | +4.0 |
| | Liberal | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 1,218 | 22.5 | +3.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 131 | 2.5 | −7.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,702 (est) | 73.6 (est) | −2.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,671 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −4.3 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −3.7 | |
After findings of corruption, the writ for Canterbury was suspended and the election result voided. The constituency was reconstituted in 1885.
General election 1885: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | 1,804 | 68.6 | +15.1 |
| | Liberal | William Aubrey | 825 | 31.4 | −15.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 979 | 37.2 | +34.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,629 | 84.6 | +11.0 (est) |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,107 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +15.1 | |
General election 1886: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Henniker Heaton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 1,488 | 31.7 | −0.2 |
| | Conservative | Lewis Majendie | 1,406 | 29.9 | +4.5 |
| | Liberal | Theodore Brinckman | 934 | 19.9 | +6.3 |
| | Liberal | Robert John Biron | 873 | 18.6 | +5.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 472 | 10.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,351 (est) | 75.7 (est) | −20.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,103 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Ind. Conservative | Conservative gain from Ind. Conservative | Swing | N/A | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | −0.9 | |
Butler-Johnstone resigned, causing a by-election.
By-election, 2 Mar 1878: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Alfred Gathorne-Hardy | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
Majendie resigned, causing a by-election.
By-election, 8 May 1879: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Robert Peter Laurie | 1,159 | 51.2 | −10.4 |
| | Liberal | Charles Edwards | 1,103 | 48.8 | +10.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 56 | 2.4 | −7.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,262 | 73.2 | −2.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,089 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −10.4 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1860s

Johnstone resigned, causing a by-election.
By-election, 6 Mar 1862: Canterbury (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 694 | 50.1 | N/A |
| | Liberal | William Lyon | 691 | 49.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,385 | 74.9 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,850 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1865: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 767 | 27.8 | N/A |
| | Conservative | John Walter Huddleston | 737 | 26.7 | N/A |
| | Liberal | William Lyon | 643 | 23.3 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Robert Adair | 614 | 22.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 94 | 3.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,381 (est) | 86.1 (est) | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,603 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1868: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Ind. Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 1,453 | 31.9 | +4.1 |
| | Liberal | Theodore Brinckman | 1,236 | 27.1 | +3.8 |
| | Conservative | John Walter Huddleston | 1,157 | 25.4 | −1.3 |
| | Conservative | Henry James Lee Warner | 709 | 15.6 | −22.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,896 (est) | 96.5 (est) | +10.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 3,001 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 744 | 16.3 | N/A |
| | Ind. Conservative gain from Conservative | Ind. Conservative gain from Conservative | Swing | N/A | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 79 | 1.7 | N/A |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +2.6 | |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1850s

Denison was elevated to the peerage, becoming 1st Baron Londesborough, and causing a by-election.
By-election, 4 March 1850: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Radical | Frederick Romilly | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Radical gain from Whig | Radical gain from Whig | Radical gain from Whig | Radical gain from Whig | Radical gain from Whig |
General election 1852: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Plumptre Gipps | 766 | 29.1 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 758 | 28.8 | N/A |
| | Whig | William Somerville | 570 | 21.6 | −6.5 |
| | Radical | Frederick Romilly | 533 | 20.2 | N/A |
| | Conservative | George Smythe | 7 | 0.3 | −26.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 188 | 7.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,317 (est) | 70.3 (est) | −1.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,874 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | N/A | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | N/A | |
* Smythe retired before polling. The election was declared void on petition, due to bribery, and the writ suspended on 21 February 1853. A by-election was called to replace both MPs in August 1854.
By-election, 18 August 1854: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Peelite | Charles Manners Lushington | 727 | 28.6 | −0.5 |
| | Whig | William Somerville | 699 | 27.5 | +5.9 |
| | Conservative | Charles Lennox Butler | 671 | 26.4 | −2.4 |
| | Whig | Charles Purton Cooper | 406 | 16.0 | N/A |
| | Radical | Edward Glover | 41 | 1.6 | −18.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,272 (est) | 64.5 (est) | −5.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,973 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 56 | 2.2 | N/A |
| | Peelite gain from Conservative | Peelite gain from Conservative | Swing | −3.2 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 28 | 1.1 | N/A |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +3.7 | |
General election 1857: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | 815 | 39.7 | −28.5 |
| | Whig | William Somerville | 759 | 37.0 | +26.2 |
| | Whig | Charles Purton Cooper | 477 | 23.3 | +12.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 56 | 2.7 | −4.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,026 (est) | 54.7 (est) | −15.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,876 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −23.9 | |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +20.2 | |
General election 1859: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Butler-Johnstone | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal | William Somerville | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,831 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
Back to Elections

### Elections in the 1840s

General election 1847: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Albert Denison | 808 | 28.1 | −3.6 |
| | Conservative | George Smythe | 782 | 27.2 | −9.0 |
| | Conservative | John Vance | 643 | 22.4 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Thomas Charles Pelham-Clinton | 641 | 22.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 165 | 5.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,437 (est) | 71.5 (est) | −4.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,010 | | |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Swing | +0.5 | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.5 | |
By-election, 15 March 1847: Canterbury (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Albert Denison | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative |
* Caused by Bradshaw's death
General election 1841: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Smythe | 823 | 36.2 | +10.5 |
| | Conservative | James Bradshaw | 729 | 32.1 | +6.8 |
| | Whig | Thomas Twisden Hodges | 720 | 31.7 | −17.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 103 | 4.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,451 | 75.7 | −6.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,918 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +9.6 | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +7.7 | |
By-election, 3 February 1841: Canterbury :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Smythe | 772 | 54.5 | +3.5 |
| | Whig | John Wright Henniker Wilson | 628 | 44.3 | −4.7 |
| | Whig | Thomas Twisden Hodges | 17 | 1.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 144 | 10.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,417 | 73.9 | −8.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,918 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +4.1 | |
* Caused by Denison's resignation

### Elections in the 1830s

General election 1837: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | James Bradshaw | 761 | 25.7 | +9.9 |
| | Whig | Albert Conyngham | 755 | 25.5 | −10.9 |
| | Conservative | Henry Plumptre Gipps | 751 | 25.3 | +9.5 |
| | Whig | Frederick Villiers | 698 | 23.5 | −8.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,507 | 82.1 | −7.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,835 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 63 | 2.2 | N/A |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +9.8 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4 | 0.2 | +0.1 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −10.3 | |
General election 1835: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Albert Conyngham | 755 | 36.4 | −5.1 |
| | Whig | Frederick Villiers | 660 | 31.8 | −8.1 |
| | Conservative | Stephen Rumbold Lushington | 658 | 31.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2 | 0.1 | −21.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,307 | 89.1 | +9.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,467 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
* On petition, Villiers was declared unduly elected and Lushington declared elected.
General election 1832: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Richard Watson | 834 | 41.5 | N/A |
| | Whig | George Cowper | 802 | 39.9 | N/A |
| | No label | William Percy Honeywood Courtenay | 375 | 18.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 427 | 21.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,203 | 79.6 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,467 | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1831: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| Whig | Richard Watson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Whig | George Cowper | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
General election 1830: Canterbury (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | Richard Watson | 1,334 | 41.9 | |
| | Whig | George Cowper | 1,101 | 34.6 | |
| | Tory | Henry Bingham Baring | 731 | 23.0 | |
| | No label | Samuel Elias Sawbridge | 8 | 0.3 | |
| | No label | George Milles | 8 | 0.3 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 370 | 11.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,988 | | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | | | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | | |
| | Whig gain from Tory | Whig gain from Tory | Swing | | |
Back to Elections