# Mid Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)

Mid Norfolk is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by George Freeman, a Conservative.

## History

Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the three two-member county divisions of Norfolk were replaced with six single-member divisions, including the newly created Mid Division of Norfolk. It was abolished at the next redistribution of seats under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1918, when it was absorbed by neighbouring constituencies.
The seat was re-established as a County Constituency for the 1983 general election, since which it has only elected and been served by a Conservative MP.
The Boundary Commission's Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies for the 2010 general election created a new constituency, Broadland, based on the local government district of the same name, which was formed from the majority of the Mid Norfolk seat, together with parts of North Norfolk. The Mid Norfolk seat was retained with substantially altered boundaries, gaining parts of South Norfolk and South West Norfolk in compensation (see below). The former MP for Mid Norfolk, Keith Simpson, was selected to contest the newly created Broadland constituency.

## Boundaries and boundary changes
### 1885–1918

* The Sessional Divisions of Forehoes, Guiltcross and Shropham, and Mitford and Launditch.
The constituency was created from parts of the Southern Division of Norfolk and parts of the abolished Eastern Division. The main settlements were East Dereham and Attleborough.
On abolition, southern areas, including Wymondham, were returned to the Southern Division and northern areas, including East Dereham, were transferred to the South-Western Division.

### 1983–1997

* The District of Breckland wards of Beetley and Gressenhall, East Dereham Neatherd, East Dereham St Withburga, East Dereham Toftwood, East Dereham Town, Eynsford, Hermitage, Launditch, Mattishall, Shipworth, Springvale, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, and Upper Yare; and
* The District of Broadland wards of Acle, Aylsham, Blofield, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Cawston, Coltishall, Drayton, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Great Witchingham, Hainford, Hevingham, Horsford, Plumstead, Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, South Walsham, Spixworth, St Faiths, Taverham, and Wroxham.
Eastern areas were transferred from Yarmouth, central areas (including Aylsham) from North Norfolk and western areas (including East Dereham) from South West Norfolk.

### 1997–2010

* The District of Breckland wards of Beetley and Gressenhall, East Dereham Neatherd, East Dereham St Withburga, East Dereham Toftwood, East Dereham Town, Eynsford, Hermitage, Launditch, Mattishall, Shipworth, Springvale, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, and Upper Yare; and
* The District of Broadland wards of Acle, Aylsham, Blofield, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Cawston, Coltishall, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Great Witchingham, Hainford, Hevingham, Horsford, Plumstead, Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, South Walsham, Spixworth, St Faiths, and Wroxham.
The District of Broadland wards of Drayton and Taverham were transferred to Norwich North.

### 2010–2024

* The District of Breckland wards of All Saints, Buckenham, Burgh and Haverscroft, Dereham Central, Dereham Humbletoft, Dereham Neatherd, Dereham Toftwood, Eynsford, Haggard De Toni, Hermitage, Launditch, Necton, Queen's, Shipdham, Springvale and Scarning, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Templar, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, Upper Yare, Watton, and Wissey; and
* The District of South Norfolk wards of Abbey, Cromwells, Hingham and Deopham, Northfields, Rustens, Town, and Wicklewood.
Significant changes. The District of Broadland areas, which had comprised the majority of the constituency, were now included in the new constituency of Broadland. The District of Breckland areas were retained from the 1997-2010 contents, with further parts, including Watton and Attleborough, transferred from South West Norfolk. The District of South Norfolk wards, which incorporated the town of Wymondham, were transferred from the constituency of South Norfolk.

### Current

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the Mid Norfolk constituency is as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
* The District of Breckland wards of: All Saints & Wayland; Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft; Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe; Dereham Neatherd; Dereham Toftwood; Dereham Withburga; Hermitage; Launditch; Lincoln; Mattishall; Necton; Saham Toney; Shipdham-with-Scarning; The Buckenhams & Banham; Upper Wensum; Watton.
* The District of South Norfolk wards of: Hingham & Deopham; Wicklewood.
The town of Wymondham was transferred back to South Norfolk. Other minor changes due to the revision of local authority ward boundaries.

## Members of Parliament
### MPs 1885–1918

North Norfolk, South Norfolk and West Norfolk prior to 1885
| Election | Member | Party | Notes |
| 1885 | Robert Gurdon | Liberal | Gurdon was elected as a Liberal, but joined the Liberal Unionists when the party split |
| 1886 | Robert Gurdon | Liberal Unionist | Gurdon was elected as a Liberal, but joined the Liberal Unionists when the party split |
| 1892 | Clement Higgins | Liberal | Higgins was elected as a Liberal, but later joined the Liberal Unionists. He resigned his seat in 1895 |
| 1895 | Clement Higgins | Liberal Unionist | Higgins was elected as a Liberal, but later joined the Liberal Unionists. He resigned his seat in 1895 |
| 1895 by-election | Robert Gurdon | Liberal Unionist | later Baron Cranworth |
| 1895 | Frederick Wilson | Liberal | |
| 1906 | John Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse | Liberal | later 3rd Earl of Kimberley |
| 1910 (Jan) | William Boyle | Liberal Unionist | |
| 1918 by-election | Neville Jodrell | Conservative | Later MP for King's Lynn |
| 1918 | Constituency abolished, but re-established 1983 | Constituency abolished, but re-established 1983 | Constituency abolished, but re-established 1983 |

### MPs since 1983

Norfolk North, Norfolk South West and Yarmouth prior to 1983
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1983 | Richard Ryder | Conservative |
| 1997 | Keith Simpson | Conservative |
| 2010 | George Freeman | Conservative |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Freeman | 16,770 | 36.5 | −27.9 |
| | Labour | Michael Rosen | 13,716 | 29.9 | +7.0 |
| | Reform UK | Kabeer Kher | 9,427 | 20.5 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Stuart Howard | 3,126 | 6.8 | −3.6 |
| | Green | Ash Haynes | 2,858 | 6.2 | +5.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,054 | 6.7 | −34.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,897 | 61.0 | −8.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 75,238 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −17.5 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Conservative | 31,639 | 64.4 |
| | Labour | 11,251 | 22.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 5,127 | 10.4 |
| | Others | 939 | 1.9 |
| | Green | 154 | 0.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 49,110 | 69.1 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 71,060 |
General election 2019: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Freeman | 35,051 | 62.4 | +3.4 |
| | Labour | Adrian Heald | 12,457 | 22.2 | −7.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Steff Aquarone | 7,739 | 13.8 | +8.7 |
| | Independent | P O'Gorman | 939 | 1.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22,594 | 40.2 | +11.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 56,186 | 68.5 | −1.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +5.7 | |
General election 2017: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Freeman | 32,828 | 59.0 | +6.9 |
| | Labour | Sarah Simpson | 16,742 | 30.1 | +11.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Fionna Tod | 2,848 | 5.1 | −1.2 |
| | UKIP | Tracy Knowles | 2,092 | 3.8 | −15.2 |
| | Green | Hannah Lester | 1,158 | 2.1 | −2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,086 | 28.9 | −4.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 55,668 | 69.6 | +1.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −2.4 | |
General election 2015: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Freeman | 27,206 | 52.1 | +2.6 |
| | UKIP | Anna Coke | 9,930 | 19.0 | +13.5 |
| | Labour | Harry Clarke | 9,585 | 18.4 | +1.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Speed | 3,300 | 6.3 | −15.9 |
| | Green | Simeon Jackson | 2,191 | 4.2 | +1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,276 | 33.1 | +5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,212 | 67.8 | −0.6 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −5.5 | |
General election 2010: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | George Freeman | 25,123 | 49.5 | +2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Newman | 11,267 | 22.2 | +3.0 |
| | Labour | Elizabeth Hughes | 8,857 | 17.4 | −12.8 |
| | UKIP | Toby Coke | 2,800 | 5.5 | +1.5 |
| | Green | Tim Birt | 1,457 | 2.9 | New |
| | BNP | Christene Kelly | 1,261 | 2.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,856 | 27.3 | +13.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,765 | 68.4 | +2.8 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −0.1 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Keith Simpson | 23,564 | 43.1 | −1.7 |
| | Labour | Daniel Zeichner | 16,004 | 29.2 | −6.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Vivienne Clifford-Jackson | 12,988 | 23.7 | +9.2 |
| | UKIP | Simon Fletcher | 2,178 | 4.0 | +1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,560 | 13.8 | +5.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54,734 | 67.0 | −1.1 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.6 | |
General election 2001: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Keith Simpson | 23,519 | 44.8 | +5.2 |
| | Labour | Daniel Zeichner | 18,957 | 36.1 | −1.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Vivienne Clifford-Jackson | 7,621 | 14.5 | −0.5 |
| | UKIP | Stuart Agnew | 1,333 | 2.5 | New |
| | Green | Peter Reeve | 1,118 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,562 | 8.7 | +6.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,548 | 68.1 | −8.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +3.2 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Keith Simpson | 22,739 | 39.6 | −14.7 |
| | Labour | Daniel Zeichner | 21,403 | 37.3 | +11.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Susan Frary | 8,617 | 15.0 | −4.9 |
| | Referendum | Nigel Holder | 3,229 | 5.6 | New |
| | Green | Tony Park | 1,254 | 2.1 | New |
| | Natural Law | Bruce Parker | 215 | 0.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,336 | 2.3 | −26.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 57,457 | 76.3 | −5.2 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −13.3 | |
General election 1992: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Ryder | 35,620 | 54.3 | −2.4 |
| | Labour | Michael Castle | 16,672 | 25.4 | +7.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Michael Gleed | 13,072 | 19.9 | −5.6 |
| | Natural Law | Coral Waite | 226 | 0.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,948 | 28.9 | −2.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 65,590 | 81.5 | +3.3 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −5.0 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Ryder | 32,758 | 56.7 | +0.8 |
| | SDP | Gavin Graham | 14,750 | 25.5 | −0.5 |
| | Labour | Keith Luckey | 10,272 | 17.8 | +0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,008 | 31.2 | +1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 57,600 | 78.2 | +2.9 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | | |
General election 1983: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Ryder | 29,032 | 55.9 | |
| | SDP | David Cargill | 13,517 | 26.0 | |
| | Labour | Leslie Potter | 8,950 | 17.2 | |
| | Independent | Mona McNee | 405 | 0.8 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,515 | 29.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,904 | 75.3 | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |

### Elections in the 1910s

1918 Mid Norfolk by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Unionist | Neville Jodrell | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Unionist hold |
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: William Lewis Boyle
* Liberal: David Waterlow
General election December 1910:Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | William Lewis Boyle | 4,345 | 50.2 | −2.4 |
| | Liberal | William Richard Lester | 4,308 | 49.8 | +2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 37 | 0.4 | −4.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,653 | 86.7 | −3.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,984 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | −2.4 | |
General election January 1910:Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | William Lewis Boyle | 4,724 | 52.6 | +2.8 |
| | Liberal | William Richard Lester | 4,265 | 47.4 | −2.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 459 | 5.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,989 | 90.0 | +1.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,984 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +2.8 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1906:Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Wodehouse | 4,197 | 50.2 | −3.7 |
| | Liberal Unionist | William Lewis Boyle | 4,170 | 49.8 | +3.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27 | 0.4 | −7.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,367 | 88.2 | +7.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,490 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −3.7 | |
General election 1900:Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Frederick William Wilson | 3,996 | 53.9 | +3.1 |
| | Liberal Unionist | William Lewis Boyle | 3,422 | 46.1 | −3.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 574 | 7.8 | +6.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,418 | 80.4 | −6.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,226 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +3.1 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1895: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Frederick William Wilson | 4,220 | 50.8 | −2.3 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Robert Gurdon | 4,086 | 49.2 | +2.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 134 | 1.6 | −4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,306 | 87.3 | −1.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,509 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −2.3 | |
By-election, 23 Apr 1895: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Robert Gurdon | 4,112 | 51.3 | +4.4 |
| | Liberal | Frederick William Wilson | 3,904 | 48.7 | −4.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 208 | 2.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,016 | 84.3 | −4.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,509 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +4.4 | |
General election 1892: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Clement Higgins | 4,069 | 53.1 | +6.7 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Robert Gurdon | 3,599 | 46.9 | −6.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 470 | 6.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,668 | 89.2 | +32.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,601 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Liberal gain from Liberal Unionist | Swing | +6.7 | |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Robert Gurdon | 3,032 | 53.6 | +18.3 |
| | Liberal | James Toller | 2,625 | 46.4 | −18.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 407 | 7.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,657 | 56.6 | −24.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,992 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +18.3 | |
General election 1885: Mid Norfolk :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Robert Gurdon | 5,275 | 64.7 | |
| | Conservative | Ailwyn Fellowes | 2,872 | 35.3 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,403 | 29.4 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 8,147 | 81.5 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,992 | | |
| | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) | Liberal win (new seat) |