# Woking (UK Parliament constituency)

Woking is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Will Forster, a Liberal Democrat. Since it was first created for the 1950 general election, it had only ever returned Conservative Party candidates until it elected a Liberal Democrat for the first time in 2024.

## Constituency profile

The seat comprises the Borough of Woking, which has one main town: Woking. Voters are, on average, wealthier than the UK average.

## History

The seat was created in 1950 from the county constituencies of Chertsey and lightly populated parts of Farnham.
Prior to 2024, and with exceptions only in 1974 (February election), 1997, 2005 and 2010, this constituency returned a Conservative with majorities exceeding 15% of votes cast.
At the 2015 and 2017 general elections, the Labour candidates polled in second place, whereas in 2019 the Lib Dem candidate did so. Until the election of 2024, similar second place results had been emulated locally eight and nine times respectively by Labour and the Lib Dems.
A Conservative win by 11.2% of the vote in 1997 was a notably marginal result. By contrast, at the 2015 general election the seat was the 41st-safest of the Conservative Party's 331 seats by percentage of majority, 40 percentage points ahead of Labour.
By 2024, the Liberal Democrats had a very sizeable majority on Woking Borough Council and there were no Conservative councillors left on the authority, although historically the Conservatives had been the dominant force on the council.
Local Conservatives won the previously relevant (Guildford Council) wards of Pirbright and Normandy over many election cycles, but these two villages were transferred to the Surrey Heath constituency from 2024 onwards following boundary changes.

## Boundaries
### Historic

1950–74: The Urban Districts of Frimley and Camberley, and Woking, and in the Rural District of Guildford the parishes of Ash, Normandy, and Pirbright.
1974–83: as above less Frimley and Camberley (transferred to North West Surrey – which was subsequently abolished in 1997, but replaced in large part at that point by the new Surrey Heath constituency). Note that in 1974 these areas constituted the whole of Woking (borough) and a part of Guildford (borough).
1983–97: unchanged (i.e. The Borough of Woking, and the Borough of Guildford wards of Ash, Ash Vale, Normandy, and Pirbright).
1997–2024: as above less Ash and Ash Vale (transferred to Surrey Heath).
The Boundary Commission made no changes to the Woking constituency in the Parliamentary boundary review that took place prior to the 2010 General Election.

### Current

Further to the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the size of the electorate was reduced by transferring the wards of Pirbright and Normandy to the constituency of Surrey Heath. The constituency boundaries of Woking thereby became coterminous with those of the Borough of Woking, comprising the ten Woking Borough Council wards of:
* Byfleet & West Byfleet; Canalside; Goldsworth Park; Heathlands; Hoe Valley; Horsell; Knaphill; Mount Hermon; Pyrford; and St. John's.

## Members of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1950 | Harold Watkinson | Conservative |
| 1964 | Sir Cranley Onslow | Conservative |
| 1997 | Humfrey Malins | Conservative |
| 2010 | Jonathan Lord | Conservative |
| 2024 | Will Forster | Liberal Democrats |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Democrats | Will Forster | 24,019 | 49.9 | +18.8 |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Lord | 12,773 | 26.5 | −21.8 |
| | Reform UK | Richard Barker | 4,888 | 10.2 | N/A |
| | Labour | Ese Erheriene | 4,444 | 9.2 | −7.5 |
| | Green | Nataly Anderson | 1,853 | 3.8 | +1.0 |
| | Heritage | Tim Read | 168 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,246 | 23.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,145 | 66.0 | −4.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 72,977 | | |
| | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative | Swing | +20.3 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 24,358 | 48.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 15,675 | 31.1 |
| | Labour | 8,444 | 16.7 |
| | Green | 1,398 | 2.8 |
| | Others | 600 | 1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 50,475 | 70.4 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 71,737 |
General election 2019: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Lord | 26,396 | 48.9 | −5.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Will Forster | 16,629 | 30.8 | +13.2 |
| | Labour | Gerry Mitchell | 8,827 | 16.4 | −7.5 |
| | Green | Ella Walding | 1,485 | 2.8 | +0.8 |
| | UKIP | Troy de Leon | 600 | 1.1 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,767 | 18.1 | −12.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,937 | 71.5 | −1.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 75,455 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −9.3 | |
General election 2017: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Lord | 29,903 | 54.1 | −2.1 |
| | Labour | Fiona Colley | 13,179 | 23.9 | +7.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Will Forster | 9,711 | 17.6 | +6.0 |
| | UKIP | Troy de Leon | 1,161 | 2.1 | −9.2 |
| | Green | James Brierley | 1,092 | 2.0 | −2.1 |
| | Independent | Hassan Akberali | 200 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,724 | 30.2 | −9.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,246 | 72.5 | +2.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −4.9 | |
General election 2015: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Lord | 29,199 | 56.2 | +5.9 |
| | Labour | Jill Rawling | 8,389 | 16.1 | +8.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Chris Took | 6,047 | 11.6 | −25.8 |
| | UKIP | Rob Burberry | 5,873 | 11.3 | +7.5 |
| | Green | Martin Robson | 2,109 | 4.1 | N/A |
| | CISTA | Declan Wade | 229 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Magna Carta Conservation Party Great Britain | Ruth Temple | 77 | 0.1 | N/A |
| | The Evolution Party | Angela Woolford | 41 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,810 | 40.0 | +27.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,964 | 70.0 | −1.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.1 | |
General election 2010: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Lord | 26,551 | 50.3 | +2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rosie Sharpley | 19,744 | 37.4 | +4.3 |
| | Labour | Tom Miller | 4,246 | 8.0 | −8.3 |
| | UKIP | Rob Burberry | 1,997 | 3.8 | +0.9 |
| | Peace | Julie Roxburgh | 204 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Magna Carta Conservation Party Great Britain | Ruth Temple | 44 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,807 | 12.9 | −1.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,786 | 71.5 | +8.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.7 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Humfrey Malins | 21,838 | 47.4 | +1.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Anne Lee | 15,226 | 33.1 | +2.8 |
| | Labour | Ellie Blagbrough | 7,507 | 16.3 | −4.0 |
| | UKIP | Matthew Davies | 1,324 | 2.9 | −0.5 |
| | UK Community Issues Party | Michael Osman | 150 | 0.3 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,612 | 14.4 | −1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,045 | 63.4 | +3.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.7 | |
General election 2001: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Humfrey Malins | 19,747 | 46.0 | +7.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Alan Hilliar | 12,988 | 30.3 | +3.0 |
| | Labour | Sabir Hussain | 8,714 | 20.3 | −0.7 |
| | UKIP | Michael Harvey | 1,461 | 3.4 | +2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,759 | 15.7 | +4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,910 | 60.2 | −12.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.3 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Humfrey Malins | 19,553 | 38.4 | −20.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Philip Goldenberg | 13,875 | 27.3 | +0.2 |
| | Labour | Katie Hanson | 10,695 | 21.0 | +7.6 |
| | Ind. Conservative | Hugh Bell | 3,933 | 7.7 | N/A |
| | Referendum | Christopher Skeate | 2,209 | 4.3 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Michael Harvey | 512 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | Deirdre Sleeman | 137 | 0.3 | −0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,678 | 11.1 | −19.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,914 | 72.7 | −6.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −10.3 | |
This constituency underwent boundary changes between the 1992 and 1997 general elections and thus change in share of vote is based on a notional calculation.
General election 1992: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 37,744 | 58.9 | +0.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Dorothy Buckrell | 17,902 | 28.0 | −3.4 |
| | Labour | James Dalgleish | 8,080 | 12.6 | +2.1 |
| | Natural Law | Teresa Macintyre | 302 | 0.5 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19,842 | 31.0 | +4.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 64,028 | 79.2 | +4.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.1 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 35,990 | 58.1 | −0.2 |
| | Liberal | Philip Goldenberg | 19,446 | 31.4 | +2.0 |
| | Labour | Anita Pollack | 6,537 | 10.5 | −1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,544 | 26.7 | −2.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 61,973 | 75.1 | +3.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −1.1 | |
General election 1983: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 32,748 | 58.3 | +1.3 |
| | Liberal | Philip Goldenberg | 16,511 | 29.4 | +11.4 |
| | Labour | Barbara Broer | 6,566 | 11.7 | −6.3 |
| | Party of Associates with Licensees | D. M. Comens | 368 | 0.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,237 | 28.9 | −4.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,193 | 71.7 | −4.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −5.1 | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 31,719 | 57.05 | +11.01 |
| | Labour | Nigel Beard | 13,327 | 23.97 | +0.27 |
| | Liberal | George H. Dunk | 9,991 | 17.97 | −10.43 |
| | National Front | P. A. Gleave | 564 | 1.01 | −0.85 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,392 | 33.08 | +15.44 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,601 | 76.51 | +3.58 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.4 | |
General election October 1974: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 22,804 | 46.04 | −0.29 |
| | Liberal | P. Wade | 14,069 | 28.40 | −4.01 |
| | Labour | J. W. Tattersall | 11,737 | 23.70 | +2.44 |
| | National Front | R. Vaughan-Smith | 921 | 1.86 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,735 | 17.64 | +3.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,531 | 72.93 | −7.94 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.9 | |
General election February 1974: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 25,243 | 46.33 | −10.38 |
| | Liberal | P. Wade | 17,660 | 32.41 | +17.54 |
| | Labour | J. W. Tattersall | 11,583 | 21.26 | −7.16 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,583 | 13.92 | −14.37 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,486 | 80.87 | +10.99 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −14.0 | |
General election 1970: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 37,220 | 56.71 | +5.31 |
| | Labour | R. M. Taylor | 18,652 | 28.42 | −2.38 |
| | Liberal | P. Wade | 9,763 | 14.87 | −2.93 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,568 | 28.29 | +7.69 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 65,635 | 69.88 | −7.23 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.8 | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 32,057 | 51.40 | −0.30 |
| | Labour | Michael Downing | 19,210 | 30.80 | +1.22 |
| | Liberal | Agnes H. Scott | 11,104 | 17.80 | −0.92 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,847 | 20.60 | −1.52 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 62,371 | 77.11 | −0.98 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.8 | |
General election 1964: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Cranley Onslow | 31,170 | 51.70 | −15.70 |
| | Labour | H. G. N. Clother | 17,834 | 29.58 | −3.02 |
| | Liberal | Agnes H. Scott | 11,285 | 18.72 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,336 | 22.12 | −12.68 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 60,289 | 78.09 | +0.74 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −6.3 | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Watkinson | 33,521 | 67.40 | +2.99 |
| | Labour | R David Vaughan Williams | 16,210 | 32.60 | −2.99 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,311 | 34.80 | +5.98 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,731 | 77.35 | +1.63 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.0 | |
General election 1955: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Watkinson | 27,860 | 64.41 | −0.54 |
| | Labour | R David Vaughan Williams | 15,393 | 35.59 | +0.54 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,467 | 28.82 | −1.08 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,253 | 75.72 | −3.01 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.5 | |
General election 1951: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Watkinson | 26,522 | 64.95 | +6.97 |
| | Labour | W. Eric Wolff | 14,313 | 35.05 | +3.86 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,209 | 29.90 | +3.11 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,835 | 78.73 | −4.51 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.6 | |
General election 1950: Woking :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harold Watkinson | 24,454 | 57.98 | |
| | Labour | T. Davies | 13,157 | 31.19 | |
| | Liberal | Michael Fernley Turner-Bridger | 4,567 | 10.83 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,297 | 26.79 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,178 | 83.24 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |