# Folkestone and Hythe (UK Parliament constituency)

Folkestone and Hythe (/ˈfoʊkstən ... ˈhaɪð/) is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Tony Vaughan, a Labour MP.

## History

Until 2024, Folkestone and Hythe had elected a Conservative MP at every general election since its creation 1950, as had the earlier Hythe constituency since the late 19th century; it was therefore regarded as a Conservative safe seat. However, in 2024 it was won for the first time by the Labour Party.
From 1983 to 2010 it was held by Michael Howard. He held several cabinet posts, including Home Secretary from 1993 to 1997. In Opposition, he was Leader of the Conservative Party from 2003 to 2005.

## Constituency profile

Folkestone and Hythe consists of a hilly swathe of East Kent including the coastal urban area of Folkestone and Hythe. The rural communities of New Romney, Lydd, Dymchurch, Lyminge and Elham contain significant farming communities, commuters to towns and business parks, including a small percentage to London and a large retired population.

## Boundaries

1950–1983: The Boroughs of Folkestone, Hythe, Lydd, and New Romney, and the Rural Districts of Elham and Romney Marsh.
1983–2010: The District of Shepway.
2010–2024: The District of Shepway, and the Borough of Ashford ward of Saxon Shore.
2024–present: The District of Folkestone and Hythe wards of Broadmead, Cheriton, East Folkestone, Folkestone Central, Folkestone Harbour, Hythe, Hythe Rural, New Romney, Romney Marsh, Sandgate & West Folkestone, and Walland & Denge Marsh.
    Electorate reduced to bring it within the permitted range by transferring out the North Downs area in the north, along with the parts in the Borough of Ashford, primarily to the reconfigured constituency of Ashford.

## Members of Parliament

The current Member of Parliament is Tony Vaughan of the Labour Party who was elected at the 2024 general election. Vaughan's predecessors for the seat were Damian Collins (served 2010–2024) and Michael Howard (served 1983–2010). Howard held a number of political posts during his career in Parliament, most prominently as Home Secretary from 1993 to 1997 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2003 to 2005.
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1950 | Harry Mackeson | Conservative |
| 1959 | Albert Costain | Conservative |
| 1983 | Michael Howard | Conservative |
| 2010 | Damian Collins | Conservative |
| 2024 | Tony Vaughan | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tony Vaughan | 15,020 | 34.7 | +7.9 |
| | Conservative | Damian Collins | 11,291 | 26.1 | −30.2 |
| | Reform UK | William Wright | 10,685 | 24.7 | N/A |
| | Green | Marianne Brett | 3,954 | 9.1 | +4.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Larry Ngan | 1,736 | 4.0 | −6.0 |
| | TUSC | Momtaz Khanom | 249 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Fairer Voting Party | David Allen | 240 | 0.6 | N/A |
| | Socialist (GB) | Andy Thomas | 71 | 0.2 | +0.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,729 | 8.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,246 | 61.7 | −2.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 70,056 | | |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +19.1 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 25,227 | 56.3 |
| | Labour | 11,988 | 26.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 4,481 | 10.0 |
| | Green | 2,184 | 4.9 |
| | Others | 915 | 2.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 44,795 | 64.0 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 70,023 |
General election 2019: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Damian Collins | 35,483 | 60.1 | +5.4 |
| | Labour | Laura Davison | 14,146 | 24.0 | −4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Simon Bishop | 5,755 | 9.8 | +2.6 |
| | Green | Georgina Treloar | 2,706 | 4.6 | +0.4 |
| | Independent | Henry Bolton | 576 | 1.0 | N/A |
| | SDP | Colin Menniss | 190 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | Young People's | Rohen Kapur | 80 | 0.1 | N/A |
| | Socialist (GB) | Andy Thomas | 69 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,337 | 36.1 | +9.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,005 | 66.8 | −1.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.0 | |
General election 2017: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Damian Collins | 32,197 | 54.7 | +6.8 |
| | Labour | Laura Davison | 16,786 | 28.5 | +14.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lynne Beaumont | 4,222 | 7.2 | −1.7 |
| | UKIP | Stephen Priestley | 2,565 | 4.4 | −18.4 |
| | Green | Martin Whybrow | 2,498 | 4.2 | −1.2 |
| | Independent | David Plumstead | 493 | 0.8 | N/A |
| | Independent | Naomi Slade | 114 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,411 | 26.2 | +1.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 58,875 | 68.4 | +2.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −3.7 | |
General election 2015: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Damian Collins | 26,323 | 47.9 | −1.5 |
| | UKIP | Harriet Yeo | 12,526 | 22.8 | +18.2 |
| | Labour | Claire Jeffrey | 7,939 | 14.4 | +3.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lynne Beaumont | 4,882 | 8.9 | −21.4 |
| | Green | Martin Whybrow | 2,956 | 5.4 | +4.2 |
| | TUSC | Seth Cruse | 244 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Young People's | Rohen Kapur | 72 | 0.1 | N/A |
| | Socialist (GB) | Andy Thomas | 68 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,797 | 25.1 | +6.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,010 | 65.8 | −1.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −9.9 | |
General election 2010: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Damian Collins | 26,109 | 49.4 | −4.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lynne Beaumont | 15,987 | 30.3 | +0.7 |
| | Labour | Donald Worsley | 5,719 | 10.8 | −1.8 |
| | UKIP | Frank McKenna | 2,439 | 4.6 | +3.3 |
| | BNP | Harry Williams | 1,662 | 3.1 | N/A |
| | Green | Penny Kemp | 637 | 1.2 | −0.3 |
| | Independent | David Plumstead | 247 | 0.5 | +0.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,122 | 19.1 | −4.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,800 | 67.7 | −1.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.6 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Howard | 26,161 | 53.9 | +8.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Carroll | 14,481 | 29.9 | −2.2 |
| | Labour | Maureen Tomison | 6,053 | 12.5 | −7.7 |
| | Green | Hazel Dawe | 688 | 1.4 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Petrina Holdsworth | 619 | 1.3 | −1.3 |
| | Monster Raving Loony | Lord Toby Jug | 175 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Get Britain Back | Rodney Hylton-Potts | 153 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | Senior Citizens | Grahame Leon-Smith | 151 | 0.3 | N/A |
| | Peace and Progress | Sylvia Dunn | 22 | 0.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,680 | 24.0 | +11.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,503 | 68.4 | +4.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.6 | |
General election 2001: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Howard | 20,645 | 45.0 | +6.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Carroll | 14,738 | 32.1 | +5.2 |
| | Labour | Albert Catterall | 9,260 | 20.2 | −4.7 |
| | UKIP | John Baker | 1,212 | 2.6 | +1.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,907 | 12.9 | +0.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,855 | 64.1 | −8.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.4 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Howard | 20,313 | 39.0 | −13.3 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Laws | 13,981 | 26.9 | −8.4 |
| | Labour | Peter Doherty | 12,939 | 24.9 | +12.8 |
| | Referendum | John Aspinall | 4,188 | 8.0 | N/A |
| | UKIP | John Baker | 378 | 0.7 | N/A |
| | Socialist Alternative | Eric Segal | 182 | 0.4 | N/A |
| | Country Field and Shooting Sports | Raymond Saint | 69 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,332 | 12.1 | −4.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,050 | 72.7 | −6.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.5 | |
General election 1992: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Howard | 27,437 | 52.3 | −3.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Linda W. Cufley | 18,527 | 35.3 | −2.0 |
| | Labour | Peter Doherty | 6,347 | 12.1 | +4.7 |
| | Natural Law | Anthony Hobbs | 123 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,910 | 17.0 | −1.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,434 | 79.6 | +1.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.6 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Howard | 27,915 | 55.4 | −1.5 |
| | Liberal | John MacDonald | 18,789 | 37.3 | +4.7 |
| | Labour | Vidya Anand | 3,720 | 7.4 | −2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,126 | 18.1 | −6.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,424 | 78.3 | +8.7 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1983: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Michael Howard | 27,261 | 56.9 | +1.2 |
| | Liberal | John MacDonald | 15,591 | 32.6 | +10.1 |
| | Labour | Leslie Lawrie | 4,700 | 9.8 | −11.0 |
| | Independent | Philip Todd | 318 | 0.7 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,670 | 24.3 | −8.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,870 | 69.6 | −3.0 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 26,837 | 55.74 | +9.66 |
| | Liberal | Bernard Budd | 10,817 | 22.47 | −5.08 |
| | Labour | GJ Priestman | 10,015 | 20.8 | −4.88 |
| | National Front | M Lavine | 478 | 0.99 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,020 | 33.2 | +14.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,147 | 72.6 | +2.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +7.3 | |
General election October 1974: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 20,930 | 46.18 | −0.90 |
| | Liberal | Bernard Budd | 12,488 | 27.55 | −2.41 |
| | Labour | MJS Butler | 11,639 | 25.68 | +2.72 |
| | Independent | Harold W. Button | 265 | 0.58 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,442 | 18.63 | +1.51 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,322 | 70.03 | −7.28 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.75 | |
General election February 1974: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 23,400 | 47.08 | −17.25 |
| | Liberal | Bernard Budd | 14,890 | 29.96 | N/A |
| | Labour | MJS Butler | 11,412 | 22.96 | −9.81 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,510 | 17.12 | −14.44 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,702 | 77.31 | +8.50 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −23.10 | |
General election 1970: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 27,031 | 64.33 | +3.82 |
| | Labour | Nicholas A Hyman | 13,772 | 32.77 | −7.62 |
| | Independent | Harold W Button | 1,219 | 2.90 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,259 | 31.56 | +11.35 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,022 | 68.81 | −1.79 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.22 | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 22,964 | 59.51 | −2.72 |
| | Labour | John Horam | 15,562 | 40.39 | +2.72 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,402 | 19.22 | −5.24 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,526 | 70.60 | −0.39 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.72 | |
General election 1964: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 23,587 | 62.23 | +5.79 |
| | Labour | Michael J. Stewart | 14,314 | 37.77 | +14.45 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,273 | 24.46 | −7.76 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,901 | 70.99 | −5.42 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −4.33 | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Albert Costain | 21,726 | 56.54 | −8.45 |
| | Labour | W Edgar Simpkins | 9,346 | 24.32 | −10.69 |
| | Liberal | Robert D Emerson | 7,351 | 19.13 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,380 | 32.22 | +2.24 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,423 | 76.41 | +3.38 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +1.12 | |
General election 1955: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harry Mackeson | 23,851 | 64.99 | +0.12 |
| | Labour | Leslie Leonard Reeves | 12,849 | 35.01 | −0.12 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,002 | 29.98 | +0.24 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,700 | 72.83 | −6.12 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +0.12 | |
General election 1951: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harry Mackeson | 25,792 | 64.87 | +6.65 |
| | Labour | I Rhys Jones | 13,968 | 35.13 | +1.11 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,824 | 29.74 | +5.54 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,760 | 78.95 | −4.29 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.77 | |
General election 1950: Folkestone and Hythe :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Harry Mackeson | 23,767 | 58.22 | |
| | Labour | Moss Murray | 13,885 | 34.02 | |
| | Liberal | Ray Ward Bateson | 3,168 | 7.76 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,882 | 24.20 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,820 | 83.24 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |