# Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)

Colne Valley is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Paul Davies of the Labour Party.

## Constituency profile

The seat is named after the Colne; one of three rivers so-named in the UK and one of three main rivers in the seat; its three main towns sit on hillsides and moorland and the local dwellings are mainly stone-built. A sizeable proportion of retirees live in the area, celebrated in the decades-long television comedy Last of the Summer Wine, centred on Holmfirth in the seat. The wider Colne and Holme Valleys still retain some agriculture such as the Longley Farm dairy whose products are sold nationwide. The south-west of the constituency, bordering with Oldham and High Peak, Derbyshire, is within the Peak District and the area includes Marsden Moor Estate. Moving eastwards, the constituency also includes some of Huddersfield's western suburbs such as generally affluent Lindley, and Golcar.
In between Marsden and Huddersfield, the former mill town of Slaithwaite was named the best place to live in Yorkshire by The Times in 2022. These areas are growing commuter areas with regular rail connections to both Manchester and Leeds.

## Political history

In the three decades post-World War II, the area had the distinction of being one of the few Labour/Liberal marginals, changing hands between the parties on several occasions. Since 1983, it has been a three-way marginal seat. It was a bellwether constituency from the 1987 general election to the 2017 general election, which saw Labour's Thelma Walker narrowly gain the seat from the Conservatives while the latter remained the largest party in Parliament. The Liberal Democrats retained much of their strength in the area until the 2010 general election, but in 2017; they lost their deposit with just 4.1% of the vote. Since the 1964 general election, the only occasion when the winning candidate's majority exceeded 10% of the votes cast was in 1992, and three different parties have held the seat during this period. Since 1987 it has been won by either Conservative or Labour candidates.
Colne Valley was one of 17 seats won (held or gained) by a Labour candidate in 2017 from a total of 22 covering its county, with Thelma Walker's 2017 win being one of 30 net gains of the Labour Party. However, former MP Jason McCartney took the seat back for the Conservatives in 2019, only to lose it again to Labour's Paul Davies at the 2024 general election.

## Boundaries

This semi-rural constituency covers the Colne Valley, Holme Valley, Meltham and the outskirts of the large town of Huddersfield in the district of Kirklees, West Yorkshire. In addition to the Huddersfield suburbs of Golcar and Lindley, the constituency comprises rural countryside broken up by the towns of Holmfirth and Meltham and the villages of Marsden, Slaithwaite, Honley, Brockholes, Linthwaite, New Mill and Golcar. The seat was once held by the Independent Labour MP Victor Grayson, who later disappeared in mysterious circumstances in 1920.
The area of Saddleworth, which actually lies on the Western side of the Pennines compared to the rest of the constituency and is separate from the main Colne Valley itself, became part of the new metropolitan county of Greater Manchester in 1974, and from 1983 became part of a new constituency along with Littleborough.
In 1981, the Boundary Commission's proposals combined much of the seat with a large portion of the Huddersfield West seat. Originally it was proposed to use the Huddersfield West name, but this was opposed at the public inquiry which argued that the Colne Valley name be preserved.
1885–1918: The Municipal Borough of Huddersfield, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Saddleworth and Upper Aggbrigg.
1918–1950: The Urban Districts of Farnley Tyas, Golcar, Holme, Holmfirth, Honley, Linthwaite, Marsden, Meltham, New Mill, Saddleworth, Scammonden, Slaithwaite, South Crosland, Springhead, and Thurstonland.
1950–1955: The Urban Districts of Colne Valley, Holmfirth, Kirkburton, Meltham, and Saddleworth.
1955–1983: The Urban Districts of Colne Valley, Denby Dale, Holmfirth, Meltham, and Saddleworth.
1983–2010: The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees wards of Colne Valley West, Crosland Moor, Golcar, Holme Valley North, Holme Valley South, and Lindley.
2010–2024: The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees wards of Colne Valley, Crosland Moor and Netherton, Golcar, Holme Valley North, Holme Valley South, and Lindley.
2024–present: The Borough of Kirklees wards of Colne Valley, Golcar, Holme Valley North, Holme Valley South, Lindley.
    Further to the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, the Crosland Moor and Netherton ward was transferred to Huddersfield in order to bring the electorate within the permitted range.

## Members of Parliament

Southern West Riding of Yorkshire prior to 1885
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1885 | Henry Beaumont | Liberal |
| 1886 | Henry Beaumont | Liberal Unionist |
| 1892 | Sir James Kitson | Liberal |
| 1907 by-election | Victor Grayson | Colne Valley Labour |
| 1910 | Charles Leach | Liberal |
| 1916 by-election | Frederick Mallalieu | Liberal |
| 1922 | Philip Snowden | Labour |
| 1931 | Philip Snowden | National Labour |
| 1931 | Lance Mallalieu | Liberal |
| 1935 | Ernest Marklew | Labour |
| 1939 by-election | Glenvil Hall | Labour |
| 1963 by-election | Patrick Duffy | Labour |
| 1966 | Richard Wainwright | Liberal |
| 1970 | David Clark | Labour |
| 1974 | Richard Wainwright | Liberal |
| 1987 | Graham Riddick | Conservative |
| 1997 | Kali Mountford | Labour |
| 2010 | Jason McCartney | Conservative |
| 2017 | Thelma Walker | Labour |
| 2019 | Jason McCartney | Conservative |
| 2024 | Paul Davies | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Paul Davies | 18,970 | 41.0 | +4.8 |
| | Conservative | Jason McCartney | 14,007 | 30.3 | −20.9 |
| | Reform UK | Stuart Hale | 7,298 | 15.8 | +13.7 |
| | Green | Heather Peacock | 3,480 | 7.5 | +5.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Katharine Macy | 2,007 | 4.3 | −2.7 |
| | Yorkshire | Timothy Millea | 459 | 1.0 | −0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,963 | 10.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,221 | 63.6 | −8.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 72,638 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 12.9 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 26,517 | 51.2 |
| | Labour | 18,756 | 36.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 3,630 | 7.0 |
| | Brexit Party | 1,089 | 2.1 |
| | Green | 893 | 1.7 |
| | Others | 880 | 1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 51,765 | 72.4 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 71,518 |
General election 2019: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jason McCartney | 29,482 | 48.4 | +2.3 |
| | Labour | Thelma Walker | 24,379 | 40.0 | –7.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Cahal Burke | 3,815 | 6.3 | +2.2 |
| | Brexit Party | Sue Harrison | 1,268 | 2.1 | N/A |
| | Green | Darryl Gould | 1,068 | 1.7 | +0.2 |
| | Yorkshire | Owen Aspinall | 548 | 0.9 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Melanie Roberts | 230 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | Independent | Colin Peel | 102 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,103 | 8.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,892 | 71.9 | +0.3 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +4.9 | |
General election 2017: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Thelma Walker | 28,818 | 47.8 | +12.8 |
| | Conservative | Jason McCartney | 27,903 | 46.1 | +1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Cahal Burke | 2,494 | 4.1 | –1.9 |
| | Green | Sonia King | 892 | 1.5 | –1.9 |
| | Independent | Patricia Sadio | 313 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 915 | 1.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,420 | 71.6 | +2.8 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +5.5 | |
General election 2015: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jason McCartney | 25,246 | 44.4 | +7.4 |
| | Labour | Jane East | 19,868 | 35.0 | +8.6 |
| | UKIP | Melanie Roberts | 5,734 | 10.1 | +8.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Cahal Burke | 3,407 | 6.0 | –22.2 |
| | Green | Chas Ball | 1,919 | 3.4 | +1.8 |
| | Yorkshire First | Paul Salveson | 572 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | Independent | Melodie Staniforth | 54 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,378 | 9.4 | +0.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,800 | 68.8 | –0.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | –0.6 | |
General election 2010: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jason McCartney | 20,440 | 37.0 | +4.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nicola Turner | 15,603 | 28.2 | +3.7 |
| | Labour | Debbie Abrahams | 14,589 | 26.4 | –9.0 |
| | BNP | Barry Fowler | 1,893 | 3.4 | +0.6 |
| | UKIP | Melanie Roberts | 1,163 | 2.1 | N/A |
| | Green | Chas Ball | 867 | 1.6 | –1.2 |
| | TUSC | Jackie Grunsell | 741 | 1.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,837 | 8.8 | –6.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,296 | 69.1 | +3.8 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +6.6 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kali Mountford | 17,536 | 35.8 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative | Maggie Throup | 16,035 | 32.8 | +2.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Elisabeth Wilson | 11,822 | 24.2 | −0.7 |
| | BNP | Barry Fowler | 1,430 | 2.9 | N/A |
| | Green | Lesley Hedges | 1,295 | 2.6 | +0.3 |
| | Veritas | Helen Martinek | 543 | 1.1 | N/A |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Ian Mumford | 259 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,501 | 3.0 | −6.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,920 | 66.0 | +2.7 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −3.4 | |
General election 2001: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kali Mountford | 18,967 | 40.4 | −0.9 |
| | Conservative | Philip Davies | 14,328 | 30.5 | −2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Gordon Beever | 11,694 | 24.9 | +2.3 |
| | Green | Richard Plunkett | 1,081 | 2.3 | +1.4 |
| | UKIP | Arthur Quarmby | 917 | 2.0 | +1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,639 | 9.9 | +1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,987 | 63.3 | −13.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +1.5 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Kali Mountford | 23,285 | 41.3 | |
| | Conservative | Graham Riddick | 18,445 | 32.7 | |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nigel Priestley | 12,755 | 22.6 | |
| | Socialist Labour | Alan J. Brooke | 759 | 1.3 | N/A |
| | Green | Andy V. Cooper | 493 | 0.9 | |
| | UKIP | J.D. Nunn | 478 | 0.8 | N/A |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Melody Staniforth | 196 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,840 | 8.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,411 | 76.9 | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | | |
General election 1992: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Graham Riddick | 24,804 | 42.0 | +5.6 |
| | Labour | John Harman | 17,579 | 29.8 | +0.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nigel Priestley | 15,953 | 27.0 | −6.4 |
| | Green | Robin Stewart | 443 | 0.8 | −0.3 |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Melody Staniforth | 160 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | Independent | John Hasty | 73 | 0.1 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | James Tattersall | 44 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,225 | 12.2 | +9.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,056 | 82.0 | +1.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.5 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Graham Riddick | 20,457 | 36.4 | +2.5 |
| | Liberal | Nigel Priestley | 18,780 | 33.4 | −6.4 |
| | Labour | John Harman | 16,353 | 29.1 | +3.3 |
| | Green | Mark Mullany | 614 | 1.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,677 | 3.0 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,204 | 80.1 | +3.9 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +4.5 | |
General election 1983: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 21,139 | 39.84 | +12.05 |
| | Conservative | John Holt | 17,993 | 33.91 | +0.07 |
| | Labour | Arthur Williams | 13,668 | 25.76 | −12.39 |
| | Independent | Tom Keen | 260 | 0.49 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,146 | 5.93 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,060 | 76.2 | |
| | Liberal gain from Labour | Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | | |
* There had been significant boundary changes for this election, mainly due to the 1974 changes to local government, where the Saddleworth area was moved out of Yorkshire into the Oldham borough of Greater Manchester and became part of the Littleborough and Saddleworth constituency. To compensate, some of the western outskirts of Huddersfield were added to Colne Valley from the abolished Huddersfield West constituency. Therefore, although Wainwright was the incumbent MP for Colne Valley, it was estimated that had the seat been fought on the new boundaries in 1979, the Labour Party would have won it with a majority of 2,239.

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 20,151 | 38.4 | −5.9 |
| | Labour | P. J. Hildrew | 17,799 | 33.9 | −7.0 |
| | Conservative | S. G. Kaye | 14,450 | 27.5 | +12.7 |
| | More Prosperous Britain | Tom Keen | 101 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,352 | 4.5 | +2.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,501 | 81.8 | +0.1 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 21,997 | 44.3 | +4.0 |
| | Labour | David Clark | 20,331 | 40.9 | +2.0 |
| | Conservative | Ken Davy | 7,337 | 14.8 | −6.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,666 | 3.4 | +2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,665 | 81.7 | −4.7 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 20,984 | 40.3 | +2.2 |
| | Labour | David Clark | 20,265 | 38.9 | −1.0 |
| | Conservative | Ken Davy | 10,864 | 20.9 | −1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 719 | 1.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,113 | 86.4 | +5.8 |
| | Liberal gain from Labour | Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | | |
General election 1970: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | David Clark | 18,896 | 39.9 | −3.2 |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 18,040 | 38.1 | −10.5 |
| | Conservative | Ken Davy | 10,417 | 22.0 | +13.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 856 | 1.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,353 | 80.8 | −5.4 |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 22,006 | 48.6 | +7.0 |
| | Labour | Patrick Duffy | 19,507 | 43.1 | +1.1 |
| | Conservative | R. David Hall | 3,786 | 8.4 | −7.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,499 | 5.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,299 | 86.2 | +1.4 |
| | Liberal gain from Labour | Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | | |
General election 1964: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Patrick Duffy | 18,537 | 42.0 | −2.5 |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 18,350 | 41.6 | +2.1 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Alexander | 7,207 | 16.3 | +0.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 187 | 0.4 | −4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,094 | 84.8 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
1963 Colne Valley by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Patrick Duffy | 18,033 | 44.49 | |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 15,994 | 39.46 | |
| | Conservative | Andrew Alexander | 6,238 | 15.39 | |
| | Independent | A. Fox | 266 | 0.66 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,039 | 5.03 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,531 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Glenvil Hall | 19,284 | 44.3 | −9.9 |
| | Conservative | Christopher J. Barr | 13,030 | 29.9 | −15.9 |
| | Liberal | Richard Wainwright | 11,254 | 25.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,254 | 14.4 | +6.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,568 | 84.2 | +3.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1955: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Glenvil Hall | 23,108 | 54.2 | +2.0 |
| | Conservative | Stanley Cheetham | 19,512 | 45.8 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,956 | 8.4 | +4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,620 | 81.1 | −6.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Glenvil Hall | 26,455 | 52.2 | +2.8 |
| | Liberal | Violet Bonham-Carter | 24,266 | 47.8 | +29.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,189 | 4.4 | −13.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,721 | 87.1 | +0.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1950: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Glenvil Hall | 24,910 | 49.4 | −5.1 |
| | Conservative | E. E. Smith | 15,826 | 31.4 | +4.4 |
| | Liberal | Roy Francis Leslie | 9,654 | 19.2 | +0.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,084 | 18.0 | −9.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,390 | 86.5 | +7.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Glenvil Hall | 23,488 | 54.66 |
| | Conservative | S. Smith | 11,593 | 26.98 |
| | Liberal | Guy Kepton Lawrence | 7,890 | 18.36 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,895 | 27.68 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,971 | 79.21 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1930s

Colne Valley by-election, 1939 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Glenvil Hall | 17,277 | 48.6 | +6.3 |
| | Liberal | Lance Mallalieu | 9,228 | 26.0 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative | Cecil Pike | 9,012 | 25.4 | −0.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,049 | 22.6 | +13.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,517 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1935: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ernest Marklew | 16,725 | 39.50 | |
| | Liberal | Lance Mallalieu | 12,946 | 30.57 | |
| | Conservative | Sir Morgan George Crofton, 6th Baronet | 10,917 | 25.78 | |
| | Ind. Conservative | Walter George Bagnall | 1,754 | 4.14 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,779 | 8.93 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,342 | 75.96 | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | | |
General election 1931: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Lance Mallalieu | 17,119 | 39.23 | |
| | Labour | Ernest Marklew | 13,734 | 31.47 | |
| | Conservative | Edward ffrancis Ward Lascelles | 12,581 | 28.88 | |
| | National Labour | Michael A E Franklin | 202 | 0.46 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,385 | 7.76 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,636 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Labour | Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Philip Snowden | 21,667 | 48.3 | +5.0 |
| | Unionist | Robert B. Carrow | 12,532 | 28.0 | −5.4 |
| | Liberal | Fred Brook | 10,630 | 23.7 | +0.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,135 | 20.3 | +10.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,829 | 82.5 | +3.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 53,351 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +5.2 | |
General election 1924: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Philip Snowden | 14,215 | 43.3 | +2.9 |
| | Unionist | Fred Thorpe | 10,972 | 33.4 | −1.0 |
| | Liberal | Ronald Walker | 7,651 | 23.3 | −1.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,243 | 9.9 | +3.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 32,838 | 78.6 | −0.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 41,794 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +2.0 | |
General election 1923: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Philip Snowden | 13,136 | 40.4 | +0.9 |
| | Unionist | Thomas Brooke | 11,215 | 34.4 | −1.0 |
| | Liberal | Percy Holt Heffer | 8,223 | 25.2 | +0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,921 | 6.0 | +1.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 32,574 | 79.0 | +0.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 41,212 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +1.0 | |
General election 1922: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Philip Snowden | 12,614 | 39.5 | −1.7 |
| | Unionist | Thomas Brooke | 11,332 | 35.4 | N/A |
| | Liberal | Frederick Mallalieu | 8,042 | 25.1 | −33.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,282 | 4.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 31,988 | 78.5 | +19.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 40,724 | | |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | +16.0 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| C | Liberal | Frederick Mallalieu | 13,541 | 58.8 | +7.3 |
| | Labour | Wilfrid Whiteley | 9,473 | 41.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,068 | 17.6 | +14.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 23,014 | 58.9 | −21.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 39,085 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | N/A | |
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. ||||||

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

General election 1885: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Henry Frederick Beaumont | 5,398 | 54.3 | |
| | Conservative | Thomas Brooke | 4,541 | 45.7 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 857 | 8.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,939 | 91.3 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,881 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |
General election 1886: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Henry Frederick Beaumont | 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 |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1892: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | James Kitson | 4,987 | 53.8 | New |
| | Liberal Unionist | John Sugden | 4,281 | 46.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 706 | 7.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,268 | 79.1 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,710 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1895: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | James Kitson | 4,276 | 46.2 | −7.6 |
| | Conservative | Harold Thomas | 3,737 | 40.4 | −5.8 |
| | Ind. Labour Party | Tom Mann | 1,245 | 13.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 539 | 5.8 | −1.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,258 | 86.4 | +7.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 10,712 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −0.9 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1900: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | James Kitson | 4,699 | 52.9 | +6.7 |
| | Conservative | W G Bagnall | 4,176 | 47.1 | +6.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 523 | 5.8 | +0.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,875 | 80.1 | −6.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,081 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +0.0 | |
General election 1906: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | James Kitson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
1907 Colne Valley by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Colne Valley Labour | Victor Grayson | 3,648 | 35.2 | New |
| | Liberal | Philip Bright | 3,495 | 33.7 | N/A |
| | Conservative | Granville Wheler | 3,227 | 31.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 153 | 1.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 10,370 | 88.1 | N/A |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 11,771 | | |
| | Ind. Labour Party gain from Liberal | Ind. Labour Party gain from Liberal | Swing | N/A | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election January 1910: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Charles Leach | 4,741 | 40.7 | +7.0 |
| | Conservative | Archibald Boyd-Carpenter | 3,750 | 32.2 | +1.1 |
| | Colne Valley Labour | Victor Grayson | 3,149 | 27.1 | −8.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 991 | 8.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 11,640 | 93.2 | +5.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,489 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Ind. Labour Party | Liberal gain from Ind. Labour Party | Swing | +7.6 | |
General election December 1910: Colne Valley :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Charles Leach | 5,147 | 51.5 | +10.8 |
| | Conservative | Archibald Boyd-Carpenter | 4,847 | 48.5 | +16.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 300 | 3.0 | −5.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 9,994 | 80.0 | −13.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 12,489 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −2.8 | |
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: Charles Leach
* Unionist: Archibald Boyd-Carpenter
* Labour:
1916 Colne Valley by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Frederick Mallalieu | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |