# City of Durham (UK Parliament constituency)

City of Durham is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by Mary Kelly Foy of the Labour Party.

## Constituency profile

The constituency contains a large minority of students, researchers and academics at the early 19th century founded University of Durham, that has a claim towards being the third oldest in England and has elected Labour MPs since 1935, although there have been strong SDP–Liberal Alliance and Liberal Democrat challenges to Labour since the 1980s.
The constituency includes a number of surrounding villages and suburbs as well as Durham itself, the largest of these are Brandon, Bowburn, Esh Winning, Framwellgate Moor, Sherburn, Ushaw Moor and Willington. The seat extends as far west as Satley and as far east as Shadforth.
The seat has traditionally been dominated by Labour, with support particularly strong in those villages historically connected to County Durham's mining industry. Durham is famous as an educational centre, for Durham University and the feepaying preparatory school, Chorister School where Tony Blair was educated. The city centre is more inclined to the Liberal Democrats. Like many other university cities such as Cambridge and Oxford, in the 2005 election it swung strongly towards the Liberal Democrats, one possible reason being these cities' sizeable student population who were viewed as being hostile to Labour's policies on areas such as top-up fees and the Iraq War. The Liberal Democrats were able to reduce Labour's majority by over 10,000 votes, although they were still unable to gain the seat from Labour, as was the case in the 2010 election. As reflected in throughout the country, the Liberal Democrat vote collapsed in the 2015 election.

## History
### The parliamentary borough (1678–1918)

The City of Durham was first given the right to return Members to Parliament by the Durham (Representation of) Act 1672 (25 Cha. 2. c. 9), although the first election was not held until 1678 due to drafting errors. It was the last new borough but one to be enfranchised before the Great Reform Act 1832. It was the only borough in County Durham, the county also having been unrepresented until the same act of Parliament also created two MPs for the county. Both constituencies were frequently referred to simply as Durham, which can make for some confusion.
The constituency as constituted in 1678 consisted only of the city of Durham itself, though this included its suburbs which were within the municipal boundary. The right to vote was held by the corporation and the freemen of the city, many of whom were not resident within the boundaries. Unlike the situation in many small rotten boroughs, the corporation had no jurisdiction over the creation of freemen: freemen were generally created by connection with companies of trade, either by apprenticeship or by birth (by being the son of an existing freeman), though the common council of the city had a power to create honorary freemen.
The creation of honorary freemen with the specific intention of swaying elections was a common abuse in a number of boroughs in the 18th century, and at the Durham election of 1762 became sufficiently controversial to force a change in the law. The election was disputed because 215 new freemen, most of them not resident in the city, had been made after the writ for the election was issued. The existing freemen petitioned against this dilution of their voting rights, the candidate who had been declared elected was unseated by the Commons committee which heard the case, and the following year the Freemen (Admission) Act 1763 (3 Geo. 3. c. 15) was passed to prevent any honorary freeman from voting in a borough election within twelve months of their being accorded that status.
Through having a freeman franchise the electorate was comparatively numerous for the period, though comprising only a small fraction of the city's population; at the time of the Reform Act 1832 there were between 1,100 and 1,200 freemen in total, of whom 427 were resident and 558 lived within seven miles, while the total population of the borough was 9,269. The Lambton and Tempest families were influential, and were generally able to secure election, but fell far short of the sort of control common in pocket boroughs.
The city retained both its MPs under the Reform Act 1832, with its boundaries adjusted only very slightly, although as elsewhere the franchise was reformed. The Reform Act 1867 extended the boundaries to include part of Framwellgate parish which had previously been excluded. Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the borough's representation was reduced from the 1885 general election to a single MP. In the boundary changes of 1918, the borough was abolished, but a division of County Durham was named after the city.

### County constituency (since 1918)

From 1918, Durham City was included in a county constituency officially called The Durham Division of (County) Durham, consisting of the central part of the county. In the 1983 boundary changes, the constituency officially acquired the unambiguous City of Durham name for the first time and its boundaries were realigned to match the new City of Durham local government district.

## Boundaries
### 1918–1950

   * the Borough of Durham
   * the Urban District of Hetton
   * the Rural District of Durham except the parish of Brancepeth
   * in the Rural District of Houghton-le-Spring, the parishes of East Rainton, Great Eppleton, Little Eppleton, Moor House, Moorsley, and West Rainton.
As well as absorbing the abolished parliamentary borough, the reconstituted seat included Hetton-le-Hole and surrounding rural areas, transferred from Houghton-le-Spring, and northern areas of the abolished Mid Division of Durham.

### 1950–1974

   * the Borough of Durham
   * the Urban Districts of Hetton and Spennymoor
   * the Rural District of Durham.
Spennymoor and the parish of Brancepeth transferred in from the abolished constituency of Spennymoor. Other minor changes (the Rural District of Houghton-le-Spring had been abolished and absorbed into neighbouring local authorities).

### 1974–1983

   * the Borough of Durham and Framwelgate
   * the Rural District of Sedgefield and the Rural District of Durham except the parish of Brancepeth.
Hetton transferred back to Houghton-le-Spring, and Spennymoor and Brancepeth now included in Durham North West. Gained the Rural District of Sedgefield from the abolished constituency of Sedgefield.

### 1983–2024

   * The City of Durham.
Sedgefield returned to the re-established constituency thereof. Gained the area comprising the former Urban District of Brandon and Byshottles which had been absorbed into the District of the City of Durham, previously part of North West Durham.

### 2024–present

   * The County of Durham electoral districts of: Belmont; Brandon; Deerness; Durham South; Elvet and Gilesgate; Esh and Witton Gilbert; Framwellgate and Newton Hall; Neville's Cross; Sherburn; and Willington and Hunwick.
    Coxhoe was transferred to the new constituency of Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, offset by gains from the abolished constituency of North West Durham, including the communities of Esh and Willington.

## Members of Parliament
### Durham City (borough)

* Constituency created 1678

#### MPs 1678–1885

| Year | | First member | First party | | Second member | Second party |
| 1678 | | Sir Ralph Cole | | | John Parkhurst | |
| February 1679 | | Sir Ralph Cole | | | William Tempest | |
| September 1679 | | William Blakiston | | | Sir Richard Lloyd | |
| 1681 | | William Tempest | | | Sir Richard Lloyd | |
| 1685 | | Charles Montagu | | | Sir Richard Lloyd | |
| 1689 | | George Morland | | | Henry Liddell | |
| 1690 | | George Morland | | | William Tempest | |
| 1695 | | Charles Montagu | | | Henry Liddell | |
| 1698 | | Charles Montagu | | | Thomas Conyers | Tory |
| 1701 | | Charles Montagu | | | Sir Henry Belasyse | |
| 1702 | | Thomas Conyers | Tory | | Sir Henry Belasyse | |
| 1708 | | Thomas Conyers | Tory | | James Nicolson | |
| 1710 | | Thomas Conyers | Tory | | Sir Henry Belasyse | Tory |
| 1712 | | Thomas Conyers | Tory | | Robert Shafto | Tory |
| 1713 | | Thomas Conyers | Tory | | George Baker | Tory |
| 1722 | | Thomas Conyers | Tory | | Charles Talbot | |
| 1727 | | Robert Shafto | Tory | | Charles Talbot | |
| 1730 | | John Shafto | Tory | | Charles Talbot | |
| 1734 | | John Shafto | Tory | | Henry Lambton | Whig |
| 1742 | | John Tempest | | | Henry Lambton | Whig |
| 1761 | | John Tempest | | | Ralph Gowland | |
| 1762 | | John Tempest | | | Major General John Lambton | |
| 1768 | | John Tempest | Tory | | Major General John Lambton | |
| 1787 | | John Tempest | Tory | | William Henry Lambton | Whig |
| 1794 | | Sir Henry Vane-Tempest | Tory | | William Henry Lambton | Whig |
| 1798 | | Sir Henry Vane-Tempest | Tory | | Ralph John Lambton | Whig |
| 1800 | | Michael Angelo Taylor | Whig | | Ralph John Lambton | Whig |
| 1802 | | Richard Wharton | Tory | | Ralph John Lambton | Whig |
| 1804 | | Robert Eden Duncombe Shafto | | | Ralph John Lambton | Whig |
| 1806 | | Richard Wharton | Tory | | Ralph John Lambton | Whig |
| 1813 | | Richard Wharton | Tory | | George Allan | Tory |
| 1818 | | Richard Wharton | Tory | | Michael Angelo Taylor | Whig |
| 1820 | | Sir Henry Hardinge | Tory | | Michael Angelo Taylor | Whig |
| 1830 | | Sir Roger Gresley | Tory | | Michael Angelo Taylor | Whig |
| March 1831 | | William Chaytor | Whig | | Michael Angelo Taylor | Whig |
| May 1831 | | William Chaytor | Whig | | Hon. Arthur Trevor | Tory |
| 1832 | | William Chaytor | Whig | | William Charles Harland | Whig |
| 1835 | | Hon. Arthur Trevor | Conservative | | William Charles Harland | Whig |
| 1841 | | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Radical | | Robert FitzRoy | Conservative |
| April 1843 | | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Radical | | The Viscount Dungannon | Conservative |
| July 1843 | | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Radical | | John Bright | Radical/Anti-Corn Law |
| 1847 | | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Radical | | Henry John Spearman | Whig |
| July 1852 | | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Radical | | William Atherton | Radical |
| December 1852 | | Lord Adolphus Vane | Conservative | | William Atherton | Radical |
| 1853 | | John Mowbray | Conservative | | William Atherton | Radical |
| 1859 | | John Mowbray | Conservative | | William Atherton | Liberal |
| 1864 | | John Mowbray | Conservative | | John Henderson | Liberal |
| 1868 | | John Robert Davison | Liberal | | John Henderson | Liberal |
| 1871 | | John Lloyd Wharton | Conservative | | John Henderson | Liberal |
| February 1874 | | Thomas Charles Thompson | Liberal | | John Henderson | Liberal |
| June 1874 | | Farrer Herschell | Liberal | | Sir Arthur Middleton | Liberal |
| 1880 | | Farrer Herschell | Liberal | | Thomas Charles Thompson | Liberal |
| 1885 | Representation reduced to one member | Representation reduced to one member | Representation reduced to one member | Representation reduced to one member | Representation reduced to one member | Representation reduced to one member |

#### MPs 1885–1918

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1885 | Thomas Milvain | Conservative |
| 1892 | Matthew Fowler | Liberal |
| 1898 by-election | Arthur Elliot | Liberal Unionist |
| 1906 | John Hills | Liberal Unionist |
| 1918 | Parliamentary borough abolished | Parliamentary borough abolished |

### Durham, Durham/City of Durham (county constituency)
#### MPs since 1918

| Year | Member | Party |
| 1918 | John Hills | Conservative |
| 1922 | Joshua Ritson | Labour |
| 1931 | William McKeag | Liberal |
| 1935 | Joshua Ritson | Labour |
| 1945 | Charles Grey | Labour |
| 1970 | Mark Hughes | Labour |
| 1987 | Gerry Steinberg | Labour |
| 2005 | Roberta Blackman-Woods | Labour |
| 2019 | Mary Foy | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mary Kelly Foy | 19,131 | 47.1 | +6.2 |
| | Reform UK | Mark Belch | 7,374 | 18.2 | +11.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Mark Wilkes | 5,920 | 14.6 | −2.3 |
| | Conservative | Luke Holmes | 5,221 | 12.9 | −19.0 |
| | Green | Jonathan Elmer | 2,803 | 6.9 | +3.6 |
| | SDP | Sarah Welbourne | 178 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,757 | 28.9 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,627 | 58.5 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mary Kelly Foy | 20,531 | 42.0 | −13.4 |
| | Conservative | William Morgan | 15,506 | 31.7 | +1.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Amanda Hopgood | 7,935 | 16.2 | +6.3 |
| | Brexit Party | Lesley Wright | 3,252 | 6.7 | N/A |
| | Green | Jonathan Elmer | 1,635 | 3.3 | +1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,025 | 10.3 | −15.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,859 | 68.6 | +0.7 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −7.7 | |
General election 2017: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Roberta Blackman-Woods | 26,772 | 55.4 | +8.1 |
| | Conservative | Richard Lawrie | 14,408 | 29.8 | +7.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Amanda Hopgood | 4,787 | 9.9 | −1.4 |
| | UKIP | Malcolm Bint | 1,116 | 2.3 | −9.1 |
| | Green | Jonathan Elmer | 797 | 1.6 | −4.3 |
| | Independent | Jim Clark | 399 | 0.8 | N/A |
| | Young People's | Jon Collings | 45 | 0.1 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,364 | 25.6 | +0.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,324 | 67.9 | +1.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.25 | |
General election 2015: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Roberta Blackman-Woods | 21,596 | 47.3 | +3.0 |
| | Conservative | Rebecca Coulson | 10,157 | 22.2 | +8.9 |
| | UKIP | Liam Clark | 5,232 | 11.4 | +9.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Craig Martin | 5,183 | 11.3 | −26.4 |
| | Green | Jonathan Elmer | 2,687 | 5.9 | N/A |
| | Independent | John Marshall | 649 | 1.4 | N/A |
| | Independent | Jon Collings | 195 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,439 | 25.1 | +18.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,699 | 66.5 | −0.7 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −3.0 | |
General election 2010: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Roberta Blackman-Woods | 20,496 | 44.3 | −2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Carol Woods | 17,429 | 37.7 | −2.1 |
| | Conservative | Nick Varley | 6,146 | 13.3 | +3.9 |
| | BNP | Ralph Musgrave | 1,153 | 2.5 | N/A |
| | UKIP | Nigel Coghill-Marshall | 856 | 1.9 | N/A |
| | Independent | Jon Collings | 172 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,067 | 6.6 | −0.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,252 | 67.2 | +5.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −0.4 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Roberta Blackman-Woods | 20,928 | 47.2 | −8.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Carol Woods | 17,654 | 39.8 | +16.1 |
| | Conservative | Ben Rogers | 4,179 | 9.4 | −7.9 |
| | Veritas | Tony Martin | 1,603 | 3.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,274 | 7.4 | −25.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,364 | 62.1 | +2.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −12.5 | |
General election 2001: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Gerry Steinberg | 23,254 | 56.1 | −7.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Carol Woods | 9,813 | 23.7 | +8.4 |
| | Conservative | Nick Cartmell | 7,167 | 17.3 | −0.2 |
| | UKIP | Chris Williamson | 1,252 | 3.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 13,441 | 32.4 | −13.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,486 | 59.6 | −11.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Gerry Steinberg | 31,102 | 63.3 | +10.0 |
| | Conservative | Richard Chalk | 8,598 | 17.5 | −6.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nigel Martin | 7,499 | 15.3 | −6.2 |
| | Referendum | Margaret Robson | 1,723 | 3.5 | N/A |
| | Natural Law | Paul Kember | 213 | 0.4 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22,504 | 45.8 | +16.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,135 | 70.8 | −3.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +8.1 | |
General election 1992: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Gerry Steinberg | 27,095 | 53.3 | +8.4 |
| | Conservative | Martin I. Woodroofe | 12,037 | 23.7 | +1.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Nigel Martin | 10,915 | 21.5 | −11.7 |
| | Green | Jane Banks | 812 | 1.6 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,058 | 29.6 | +17.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,859 | 74.6 | −3.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Gerry Steinberg | 23,382 | 44.9 | +8.4 |
| | SDP | David Stoker | 17,257 | 33.2 | +0.7 |
| | Conservative | Gordon Colquhoun | 11,408 | 21.9 | −9.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,125 | 11.7 | +7.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,047 | 78.2 | +3.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.8 | |
General election 1983: City of Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Mark Hughes | 18,163 | 36.5 |
| | SDP | David Stoker | 16,190 | 32.5 |
| | Conservative | Matthew Lavis | 15,438 | 31.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,973 | 4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,791 | 74.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mark Hughes | 30,903 | 52.3 | −6.1 |
| | Conservative | Matthew Lavis | 19,666 | 33.3 | +9.6 |
| | Liberal | Chris Foote Wood | 8,572 | 14.5 | −2.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,237 | 19.0 | −15.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,141 | 76.4 | +4.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mark Hughes | 31,305 | 58.5 | +6.0 |
| | Conservative | Derek Conway | 13,189 | 24.7 | −2.4 |
| | Liberal | Alan Heesom | 9,011 | 16.8 | −1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,116 | 33.9 | +8.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,505 | 71.6 | −9.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Mark Hughes | 31,405 | 52.5 |
| | Conservative | Timothy Kirkhope | 16,202 | 27.1 |
| | Liberal | Alan Heesom | 12,235 | 20.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,203 | 25.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 59,842 | 80.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1970: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Mark Hughes | 33,766 | 66.9 | −0.7 |
| | Conservative | Ernest Greenwood | 16,707 | 33.1 | +3.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,059 | 33.8 | −4.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,473 | 73.3 | −1.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 32,200 | 70.6 | +2.3 |
| | Conservative | Richard Yorke | 13,383 | 29.4 | −2.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,817 | 41.2 | +4.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,583 | 74.7 | −4.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1964: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 32,818 | 68.3 | +1.9 |
| | Conservative | Joseph Whittaker | 15,209 | 31.7 | −1.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,609 | 36.7 | +3.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,027 | 78.8 | −3.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 33,795 | 66.4 | +0.3 |
| | Conservative | Charles MacCarthy | 17,106 | 33.6 | −0.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 16,689 | 32.8 | +0.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,901 | 81.8 | +2.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1955: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 32,412 | 66.1 | −1.0 |
| | Conservative | Charles P. MacCarthy | 16,640 | 33.9 | +1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,772 | 32.2 | +2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 49,052 | 79.5 | −6.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 35,597 | 67.1 | −1.0 |
| | Conservative | Robert Fisher | 17,447 | 32.9 | +1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,150 | 34.2 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,044 | 86.1 | −0.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1950: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 36,024 | 68.1 |
| | Conservative | Henry Laslett | 16,903 | 31.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 19,121 | 36.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,927 | 87.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Charles Grey | 24,135 | 66.2 | +7.1 |
| | National Liberal | John Bunyan | 12,331 | 33.8 | −7.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,804 | 32.4 | +14.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,466 | 79.8 | −5.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 21,517 | 59.1 | +9.5 |
| | National Liberal | William McKeag | 14,910 | 40.9 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,607 | 18.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,427 | 85.2 | +1.5 |
| | Labour gain from Liberal | Labour gain from Liberal | Swing | | |
General election 1931: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William McKeag | 17,406 | 50.4 | +28.1 |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 17,136 | 49.6 | −7.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 270 | 0.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,542 | 83.7 | N/A |
| | Liberal gain from Labour | Liberal gain from Labour | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 18,514 | 56.8 | +1.9 |
| | Liberal | William McKeag | 7,266 | 22.3 | +12.3 |
| | Unionist | George Hamilton-Fletcher | 6,820 | 20.9 | −14.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,248 | 34.5 | +14.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 32,600 | 80.1 | −5.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 40,676 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −5.2 | |
General election 1924: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 15,032 | 54.9 | −1.9 |
| | Unionist | Sidney Streatfeild | 9,614 | 35.1 | −8.1 |
| | Liberal | William McKeag | 2,747 | 10.0 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,418 | 19.8 | +6.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 27,393 | 85.2 | +8.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 32,163 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.1 | |
General election 1923: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 13,819 | 56.8 | +1.6 |
| | Unionist | Thomas Bradford | 10,530 | 43.2 | −1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,289 | 13.6 | +3.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 24,349 | 77.2 | −4.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 31,523 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +1.6 | |
General election 1922: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 14,068 | 55.2 | +5.8 |
| | Unionist | John Hills | 11,396 | 44.8 | −5.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,672 | 10.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 25,464 | 81.9 | +20.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 31,104 | | |
| | Labour gain from Unionist | Labour gain from Unionist | Swing | +1.8 | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| C | Unionist | John Hills | 9,027 | 50.6 |
| | Labour | Joshua Ritson | 8,809 | 49.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 218 | 1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 17,836 | 61.4 |
| | Unionist hold | Unionist hold | Swing | |
| C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government. ||||||
General election December 1910: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal Unionist | John Hills | 1,313 | 60.0 |
| | Liberal | Cecil Cochrane | 877 | 40.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 436 | 20.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,190 | 84.2 |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | |
General election January 1910: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | John Hills | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1906: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | John Hills | 1,313 | 59.9 | −1.6 |
| | Free Trader | Arthur Elliot | 880 | 40.1 | +1.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 433 | 19.8 | −3.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,193 | 85.0 | +7.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,580 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist hold | Liberal Unionist hold | Swing | N/A | |
General election 1900: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Arthur Elliot | 1,250 | 61.5 | +11.6 |
| | Liberal | William Geary | 781 | 38.5 | −11.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 469 | 23.0 | +22.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,031 | 77.9 | −11.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,607 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +11.4 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

By-election, 1898: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal Unionist | Arthur Elliot | 1,167 | 51.4 | +1.5 |
| | Liberal | H.F. Boyd | 1,102 | 48.6 | −1.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 65 | 2.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,269 | 89.1 | −0.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,548 | | |
| | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Liberal Unionist gain from Liberal | Swing | +1.5 | |
* Caused by Fowler's death.
General election 1895: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Matthew Fowler | 1,110 | 50.1 | −1.7 |
| | Liberal Unionist | Arthur Elliot | 1,107 | 49.9 | +1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3 | 0.2 | −3.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,217 | 89.3 | −0.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,482 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −1.7 | |
* These are the final 1895 results after a recount. The original result was Fowler with 1,111 votes, and Elliot with 1,110 votes, leaving a Liberal majority of just one vote.
General election 1892: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Matthew Fowler | 1,075 | 51.8 | +8.7 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Milvain | 1,000 | 48.2 | −8.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 75 | 3.6 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,075 | 89.4 | +3.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,322 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +8.7 | |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Thomas Milvain | 1,129 | 56.9 | +4.0 |
| | Liberal | George Brooks | 855 | 43.1 | −4.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 274 | 13.8 | +8.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,984 | 86.2 | −5.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,302 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | −4.0 | |
General election 1885: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Thomas Milvain | 1,114 | 52.9 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Charles Thompson | 993 | 47.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 121 | 5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,107 | 91.5 |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | |
By-election, 10 May 1880: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Farrer Herschell | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
* Caused by Herschell's appointment as Solicitor General for England and Wales
General election 1880: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Charles Thompson | 1,237 | 35.9 | +1.0 |
| | Liberal | Farrer Herschell | 1,152 | 33.4 | +0.2 |
| | Conservative | John Lloyd Wharton | 1,058 | 30.7 | −1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 94 | 2.7 | +1.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 2,295 (est) | 97.6 (est) | +12.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,352 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1870s

By-election, 13 Jun 1874: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Farrer Herschell | 930 | 27.8 | −7.1 |
| | Liberal | Arthur Monck | 918 | 27.5 | −5.7 |
| | Conservative | Francis Duncan | 752 | 22.5 | +6.5 |
| | Conservative | Francis Barrington | 742 | 22.2 | +6.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 166 | 5.0 | +3.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,671 (est) | 81.2 (est) | −3.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,059 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | -6.8 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | -6.0 | |
* Caused by the 1874 election being declared void on petition.
General election 1874: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Charles Thompson | 924 | 34.9 | +1.4 |
| | Liberal | John Henderson | 879 | 33.2 | −2.0 |
| | Conservative | John Lloyd Wharton | 846 | 31.9 | +0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 33 | 1.3 | −0.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,748 (est) | 84.9 (est) | −2.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 2,059 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +0.6 | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | -1.2 | |
By-election, 28 Apr 1871: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Lloyd Wharton | 814 | 51.2 | +19.9 |
| | Liberal | Thomas Charles Thompson | 776 | 48.8 | −19.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 38 | 2.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,590 | 81.7 | −5.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,946 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +19.9 | |
* Caused by Davison's death.
By-election, 14 Jan 1871: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Robert Davison | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
* Caused by Davison's appointment as Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces.

### Elections in the 1860s

General election 1868: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Liberal | John Henderson | 823 | 35.2 |
| | Liberal | John Robert Davison | 784 | 33.5 |
| | Conservative | John Lloyd Wharton | 732 | 31.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,536 (est) | 87.4 (est) |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 89 | 3.9 |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 52 | 2.2 |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | |
By-election, 11 July 1866: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Mowbray | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
* Caused by Mowbray's appointment as Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces
General election 1865: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Henderson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | John Mowbray | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,056 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
By-election, 9 February 1864: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Henderson | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
* Caused by Atherton's death.
By-election, 8 July 1861: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Atherton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
* Caused by Atherton's appointment as Attorney General for England and Wales.
By-election, 9 January 1860: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Atherton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
* Caused by Atherton's appointment as Solicitor General for England and Wales.

### Elections in the 1850s

General election 1859: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | William Atherton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | John Mowbray | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,147 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Liberal hold |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
By-election, 17 March 1858: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Mowbray | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
* Caused by Mowbray's appointment as Judge Advocate General of the Armed Forces.
General election 1857: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Radical | William Atherton | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Conservative | John Mowbray | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,184 | | |
| | Radical hold | Radical hold | Radical hold | Radical hold | Radical hold |
| | Conservative gain from Radical | Conservative gain from Radical | Conservative gain from Radical | Conservative gain from Radical | Conservative gain from Radical |
By-election, 25 June 1853: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | John Mowbray | 529 | 54.4 | +22.5 |
| | Whig | Charles Eurwicke Douglas | 444 | 45.6 | −22.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 85 | 8.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 973 | 88.9 | −1.5 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,094 | | |
| Void election result | Void election result | Void election result | Swing | +22.6 | |
* Caused by the earlier by-election being declared void on petition due to bribery.
By-election, 3 December 1852: Durham (1 seat) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Adolphus Vane-Tempest | 545 | 52.4 | +20.5 |
| | Whig | Henry Fenwick | 496 | 47.6 | −20.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 49 | 4.8 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,041 | 95.2 | +4.8 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,094 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Radical | Conservative gain from Radical | Swing | +20.6 | |
* Caused by Granger's death.
General election 1852: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Radical | Thomas Colpitts Granger | 571 | 36.0 | −2.0 |
| | Radical | William Atherton | 510 | 32.2 | −1.0 |
| | Conservative | Adolphus Vane-Tempest | 506 | 31.9 | +3.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4 | 0.3 | −4.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,047 (est) | 90.4 (est) | +3.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,157 | | |
| | Radical hold | Radical hold | Swing | −1.8 | |
| | Radical gain from Whig | Radical gain from Whig | Swing | −1.3 | |

### Elections in the 1840s

General election 1847: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Radical | Thomas Colpitts Granger | 595 | 38.0 |
| | Whig | Henry John Spearman | 519 | 33.2 |
| | Conservative | David Edward Wood | 450 | 28.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 1,007 (est) | 86.7 (est) |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 76 | 4.8 |
| | Radical hold | Radical hold | Radical hold | Radical hold |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 69 | 4.4 |
| | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative | Whig gain from Conservative |
By-election, 26 July 1843: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Radical | John Bright | 488 | 54.3 |
| | Conservative | Thomas Purvis | 410 | 45.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 78 | 8.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 898 | 81.2 |
| | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative |
* Caused by the by-election being declared void on petition due to bribery by Hill-Trevor's agents.
By-election, 5 April 1843: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Conservative | Arthur Hill-Trevor | 507 | 55.6 |
| | Radical | John Bright | 405 | 44.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 102 | 11.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 912 | 82.5 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
* Caused by FitzRoy's appointment as Governor of New Zealand
General election 1841: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Robert FitzRoy | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Radical | Thomas Colpitts Granger | Unopposed | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 1,022 | | |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Conservative hold |
| | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative | Radical gain from Conservative |

### Elections in the 1830s

General election 1837: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Arthur Hill-Trevor | 465 | 38.5 | +0.8 |
| | Whig | William Charles Harland | 373 | 30.9 | −3.6 |
| | Radical | Thomas Colpitts Granger | 371 | 30.7 | +2.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 857 | 90.3 | −2.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 949 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 92 | 7.6 | +4.4 |
| | Conservative hold | Conservative hold | Swing | +2.2 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2 | 0.2 | −6.4 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −2.2 | |
General election 1835: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Arthur Hill-Trevor | 473 | 37.7 | +6.5 |
| | Whig | William Charles Harland | 433 | 34.5 | −34.3 |
| | Radical | Thomas Colpitts Granger | 350 | 27.9 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 829 | 92.9 | −2.4 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 892 | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 40 | 3.2 | N/A |
| | Conservative gain from Whig | Conservative gain from Whig | Swing | +20.4 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 83 | 6.6 | +4.9 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Swing | −20.4 | |
General election 1832: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | William Charles Harland | 440 | 35.9 |
| | Whig | William Chaytor | 404 | 32.9 |
| | Tory | Arthur Hill-Trevor | 383 | 31.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21 | 1.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 768 | 95.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 806 | |
| | Whig win (new boundaries) | Whig win (new boundaries) | Whig win (new boundaries) | Whig win (new boundaries) |
| | Whig win (new boundaries) | Whig win (new boundaries) | Whig win (new boundaries) | Whig win (new boundaries) |
General election 1831: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | William Chaytor | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| | Tory | Arthur Hill-Trevor | Unopposed | Unopposed |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | c. 1,200 | |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold |
By-election, 23 March 1831: Durham :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Whig | William Chaytor | 495 | 51.1 | +13.9 |
| | Tory | Arthur Hill-Trevor | 470 | 48.6 | +15.5 |
| | Whig | John Clervaux Chaytor | 3 | 0.3 | −29.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 25 | 2.5 | −1.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 968 | c. 80.7 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | c. 1,200 | | |
| | Whig gain from Tory | Whig gain from Tory | Swing | −0.8 | |
* Caused by Gresley being unseated on petition.
General election 1830: Durham (2 seats) :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Whig | Michael Angelo Taylor | 546 | 37.2 |
| | Tory | Roger Gresley | 486 | 33.1 |
| | Whig | William Chaytor, Senior | 436 | 29.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 988 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 60 | 4.1 |
| | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold | Whig hold |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 50 | 3.4 |
| | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold | Tory hold |