# Easington (UK Parliament constituency)

Easington is a constituency created in 1950 represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Grahame Morris of the Labour Party.

## Constituency profile

The constituency comprises the majority of the former district of the same name and takes in the coastal portion of the unitary authority of County Durham. The principal towns are Peterlee and Seaham. A seat of former mining traditions, it was until recently one of Labour's safest in Britain — Manny Shinwell was MP for 20 years.
Constituents' occupations include to a significant degree agriculture and the service sector, however the area was formerly heavily economically supported by the mining of coal, iron ore and businesses in the county still extract gangue minerals in present mining, such as fluorspar for the smelting of aluminium, to the south in the county is Darlington, which has particular strengths in international transport construction, including bridges. To the north is the large city of Sunderland which has a large service sector.

## Boundaries
### 1950–1974

* The Rural District of Easington.
Created by the Representation of the People Act 1948 for the 1950 general election from the abolished Seaham constituency,but excluding the Urban District of Seaham Harbour, which was included in Houghton-le-Spring.

### 1974–1983

* The Rural District of Stockton; and
* in the Rural District of Easington the parishes of Castle Eden, Easington, Haswell, Hawthorn, Horden, Hutton Henry, Monk Hesleden, Nesbitt, Peterlee, Sheraton with Hulam, Shotton, Thornley, and Wingate.
Gained the Rural District of Stockton from the abolished constituency of Sedgefield. Northern-most parts, including Murton, transferred to Houghton-le-Spring.

### 1983–2010

* The District of Easington wards of Acre Rigg, Blackhalls, Dawdon, Dene House, Deneside, Easington Colliery, Easington Village, Eden Hill, Haswell, High Colliery, Horden North, Horden South, Howletch, Murton East, Murton West, Park, Passfield, Seaham, Shotton, South, and South Hetton.
Seaham and Murton returned from the abolished constituency of Houghton-le-Spring. Area comprising the former Rural District of Stockton had been included in the new county of Cleveland, and its contents now distributed between Hartlepool, Stockton North and Stockton South. Southern parts of the District of Easington included in the re-established constituency of Sedgefield.

### 2010–2024

* The District of Easington wards of Acre Rigg, Blackhalls, Dawdon, Dene House, Deneside, Easington Colliery, Easington Village and South Hetton, Eden Hill, Haswell and Shotton, Horden North, Horden South, Howletch, Hutton Henry, Murton East, Murton West, Passfield, Seaham Harbour, and Seaham North.
Following their review of parliamentary representation in County Durham for the 2010 general election, the Boundary Commission for England made only minor changes to the boundaries of Easington (on the southern part of the boundary with Sedgefield).
In the 2009 structural changes to local government in England, the local authority districts in Durham were abolished and replaced with a single unitary authority; however, this did not affect the boundaries of the constituency.

### 2024–present

Following to the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the 2024 general election, the constituency has the following boundaries:
* County of Durham wards of: Blackhalls, Dawdon, Deneside, Easington, Horden, Murton, Passfield, Peterlee East, Peterlee West, Seaham, Shotton and South Hetton, Trimdon and Thornley (part), and Wingate.
The constituency was expanded to bring the electorate within the permitted range, by adding the communities of Thornley and Wingate from the abolished constituency of Sedgefield.

## Political history
### Results of the winning party

The area has been held by the Labour Party since the 1935 election (including predecessor seat). Labour's majority in the seat has never fallen below 19% (the result in the party's 2019 landslide defeat - and in the party's 2024 landslide victory) in its history, and has only been below 40% four times (in 1979, 1983, 2019 and 2024). Labour won a majority of votes in every election from the seat's creation in 1950 until 2019, when their vote share fell below 50% for the first time.

### Results of other parties

The 2015 general election saw an above-average swing to UKIP of 18.7%; the national average was 9.5% . Prior to 2019, the Conservative Party had last come second in the seat in 2001. Labour's candidate won more than three times that of UKIP in 2015, scoring 61%, although the latter polled the strongest second-place in the seat since 1983. 2017 saw the UKIP vote collapse and the Conservative vote rise, although a slight rise in the Labour vote ensured the majority remained above 40%. In 2019, the newly formed Brexit Party (later renamed Reform UK) won 19.5% of the vote, their sixth best result in the election, contributing to a dramatic collapse in Labour's vote share and majority. The 2024 election saw Labour's vote increase slightly, but Reform UK overtook the Conservatives, increasing its vote to 29.8% (11th best result), meaning that Labour's margin of victory was unchanged at just over 19%.

### Turnout

Turnout has ranged from 87.7% in 1950 to 49.5% in 2024. It has been somewhat inconsistent with national averages, falling in 1992 and 2005 when national turnout increased.

## Members of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1950 | Manny Shinwell | Labour |
| 1970 | Jack Dormand | Labour |
| 1987 | John Cummings | Labour |
| 2010 | Grahame Morris | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Grahame Morris | 16,774 | 48.9 | +2.1 |
| | Reform UK | Lynn Murphy | 10,232 | 29.8 | +11.7 |
| | Conservative | Joanne Howey | 3,753 | 10.9 | −16.2 |
| | North East | Mary Cartwright | 1,581 | 4.6 | +1.0 |
| | Green | Stephen Ashfield | 1,173 | 3.4 | +3.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tony Ferguson | 811 | 2.4 | −1.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,542 | 19.1 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,385 | 49.5 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Grahame Morris | 15,723 | 45.5 | −18.2 |
| | Conservative | Clare Ambrosino | 9,142 | 26.4 | +3.7 |
| | Brexit Party | Julie Maughan | 6,744 | 19.5 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Dominic Haney | 1,526 | 4.4 | +3.1 |
| | North East | Susan McDonnell | 1,448 | 4.2 | −2.4 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,581 | 19.1 | −21.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,583 | 56.5 | −1.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −10.9 | |
General election 2017: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Grahame Morris | 23,152 | 63.7 | +2.7 |
| | Conservative | Barney Campbell | 8,260 | 22.7 | +9.8 |
| | North East | Susan McDonnell | 2,355 | 6.6 | +4.1 |
| | UKIP | Allyn Roberts | 1,727 | 4.7 | −14.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tom Hancock | 460 | 1.3 | −1.1 |
| | Green | Martie Warin | 410 | 1.1 | −1.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,892 | 41.0 | −1.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,364 | 58.4 | +2.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −3.6 | |
General election 2015: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Grahame Morris | 21,132 | 61.0 | +2.1 |
| | UKIP | Jonathan Arnott | 6,491 | 18.7 | +14.0 |
| | Conservative | Chris Hampsheir | 4,478 | 12.9 | −0.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Luke Armstrong | 834 | 2.4 | −13.6 |
| | North East | Susan McDonnell | 810 | 2.3 | New |
| | Green | Martie Warin | 733 | 2.1 | New |
| | Socialist (GB) | Steve Colborn | 146 | 0.4 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,641 | 42.3 | −0.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,624 | 56.1 | +1.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −6.0 | |
General election 2010: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Grahame Morris | 20,579 | 58.9 | −12.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tara Saville | 5,597 | 16.0 | +3.1 |
| | Conservative | Richard Harrison | 4,790 | 13.7 | +3.0 |
| | BNP | Cheryl Dunn | 2,317 | 6.6 | +3.4 |
| | UKIP | Martyn Aiken | 1,631 | 4.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,982 | 42.9 | −15.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 34,914 | 54.7 | +2.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −7.7 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Cummings | 22,733 | 71.4 | −5.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher Ord | 4,097 | 12.9 | +2.6 |
| | Conservative | Lucille Nicholson | 3,400 | 10.7 | +0.4 |
| | BNP | Ian McDonald | 1,042 | 3.3 | New |
| | Socialist Labour | Dave Robinson | 583 | 1.8 | −0.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 18,636 | 58.5 | −8.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 31,855 | 52.1 | −1.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −4.0 | |
General election 2001: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Cummings | 25,360 | 76.8 | −3.4 |
| | Conservative | Philip F. Lovel | 3,411 | 10.3 | +1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Christopher J. Ord | 3,408 | 10.3 | +3.1 |
| | Socialist Labour | Dave Robinson | 831 | 2.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 21,949 | 66.5 | −5.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 33,010 | 53.6 | −13.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Cummings | 33,600 | 80.2 | +7.5 |
| | Conservative | Jason D. Hollands | 3,588 | 8.6 | −8.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jim P. Heppell | 3,025 | 7.2 | −3.4 |
| | Referendum | Richard B. Pulfrey | 1,179 | 2.8 | New |
| | Socialist (GB) | Steve P. Colborn | 503 | 1.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 30,012 | 71.6 | +15.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,895 | 67.0 | −5.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +7.8 | |
General election 1992: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Cummings | 34,269 | 72.7 | +4.6 |
| | Conservative | William Perry | 7,879 | 16.7 | +0.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Freitag | 5,001 | 10.6 | −5.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 26,390 | 56.0 | +4.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,149 | 72.5 | −0.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +2.1 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Cummings | 32,396 | 68.1 | +8.7 |
| | Conservative | William Perry | 7,757 | 16.3 | −0.2 |
| | Liberal | George Howard | 7,447 | 15.6 | −9.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 24,639 | 51.8 | +18.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,600 | 73.4 | +5.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1983: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Jack Dormand | 25,912 | 59.4 | −1.2 |
| | Liberal | Frank E. Patterson | 11,120 | 25.1 | +10.7 |
| | Conservative | Colin J. Coulson-Thomas | 7,342 | 16.5 | −8.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,792 | 33.3 | −2.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,374 | 67.5 | −6.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Jack Dormand | 29,537 | 60.60 |
| | Conservative | J.S. Smailes | 11,981 | 24.70 |
| | Liberal | V. Morley | 6,979 | 14.39 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,556 | 35.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,497 | 74.33 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election October 1974: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Jack Dormand | 28,984 | 65.82 | |
| | Conservative | J.S. Smailes | 8,047 | 18.27 | |
| | Liberal | N.J. Scaggs | 7,005 | 15.91 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,937 | 47.55 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,036 | 69.01 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Jack Dormand | 33,637 | 71.96 |
| | Conservative | J.S. Smailes | 13,107 | 28.04 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 20,530 | 43.92 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,744 | 73.95 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1970: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Jack Dormand | 33,418 | 79.80 |
| | Conservative | Michael Spicer | 8,457 | 20.20 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 24,961 | 59.60 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,875 | 69.28 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Manny Shinwell | 32,097 | 81.37 |
| | Conservative | Michael Spicer | 7,350 | 18.63 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 24,747 | 62.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,447 | 70.54 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1964: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Manny Shinwell | 34,028 | 80.45 |
| | Conservative | George W Rossiter | 8,270 | 19.55 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 25,758 | 60.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,298 | 75.22 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Manny Shinwell | 36,552 | 79.79 |
| | Conservative | George W Rossiter | 9,259 | 20.21 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 27,293 | 59.58 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,811 | 80.81 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1955: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Manny Shinwell | 34,352 | 79.07 |
| | Conservative | George W Rossiter | 9,095 | 20.93 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 25,257 | 58.14 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,447 | 79.36 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1951: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Manny Shinwell | 37,899 | 80.77 |
| | Conservative | George W Rossiter | 9,025 | 19.23 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 28,874 | 61.54 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 46,924 | 86.74 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1950: Easington :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Manny Shinwell | 38,367 | 81.05 | |
| | Conservative | C.A. Macfarlane | 8,972 | 18.95 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 29,395 | 62.10 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,339 | 87.69 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |