# Leeds East (UK Parliament constituency)

Leeds East is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Richard Burgon of the Labour Party.
The constituency was represented by Denis Healey from 1955 to 1992. Healey served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1974 to 1979 and latterly as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

## Constituency profile

This seat includes the areas of Leeds around York Road and Temple Newsam, including several large council estates. The seat is ethnically mixed and residents are poorer than the UK average.

## History

The constituency was created in 1885 by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, and was first used in the general election of that year. Leeds had previously been represented by two MPs (1832–1868) and three MPs (1868–1885). From 1885 it was represented by five single-member constituencies: Leeds Central, Leeds East, Leeds North, Leeds South and Leeds West. The constituencies of Morley, Otley and Pudsey were also created in 1885.
The constituency was abolished in 1918. After the 1918 general election, Leeds was represented by Leeds Central, Leeds North, Leeds North-East (created 1918), Leeds South, Leeds South-East (created 1918), and Leeds West.
The constituency was recreated in 1955. After the 1955 general election Leeds was represented by Leeds East (created 1885, abolished 1918, recreated 1955), Leeds North East, Leeds North West (created 1950), Leeds South and Leeds South East. There were also constituencies of Batley and Morley (created 1918) and Pudsey and Otley (created 1918, replacing Pudsey).
Labour's Denis Healey held the seat for 37 years (1955–1992) and was Chancellor of the Exchequer during part of this time.

## Boundaries

1885–1918: The Municipal Borough of Leeds ward of East, and parts of the wards of Central, North, and North East.
1955–1974: The County Borough of Leeds wards of Burmantofts, Crossgates, Halton, Harehills, and Osmondthorpe.
1974–1983: The County Borough of Leeds wards of Gipton, Halton, Osmondthorpe, Seacroft, and Whinmoor.
1983–2010: The City of Leeds wards of Burmantofts, Halton, Harehills, and Seacroft.
2010–2024: The City of Leeds wards of Cross Gates and Whinmoor, Gipton and Harehills, Killingbeck and Seacroft, and Temple Newsam.
2024–present: The City of Leeds wards of Cross Gates & Whinmoor, Garforth & Swillington, Gipton & Harehills, Killingbeck & Seacroft, and Temple Newsam (part).
    To bring the electorate within the permitted range in accordance with the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, the Garforth & Swillington ward was added from the abolished constituency of Elmet and Rothwell. To partly compensate, parts of the Temple Newsam ward (polling districts TNA, TND, TNE, TNH, TNI, TNJ, TNK and TNL) were transferred out to the re-established Leeds South seat.

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

Leeds prior to 1885
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1885 | Richard Dawson | Conservative |
| 1886 | John Gane | Liberal |
| 1895 | Thomas Leuty | Liberal |
| 1900 | Henry Cautley | Conservative |
| 1906 | James O'Grady | Labour |
| 1918 | constituency abolished | constituency abolished |

### MPs since 1955

Leeds North East and Leeds South East prior to 1955
| Election | Member | Party |
| 1955 | Denis Healey | Labour |
| 1992 | George Mudie | Labour |
| 2015 | Richard Burgon | Labour |
| 2024 | Richard Burgon | Independent |
| 2025 | Richard Burgon | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Richard Burgon | 18,610 | 47.2 | +0.2 |
| | Reform UK | David Dresser | 7,345 | 18.6 | +12.7 |
| | Conservative | Sam Firth | 6,898 | 17.5 | −23.3 |
| | Green | Jennifer Norman | 3,506 | 8.9 | +6.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Tobie Abel | 1,445 | 3.7 | ±0.0 |
| | Yorkshire | David Hough | 664 | 1.7 | +1.2 |
| | SDP | Catherine Dobson | 519 | 1.3 | New |
| | Independent | Niko Omilana | 222 | 0.6 | New |
| | Independent | Pete Young | 179 | 0.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,265 | 28.6 | +22.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,388 | 51.7 | −7.3 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 76,207 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −6.3 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result :
| Party | Party | Vote | % |
| | Labour | 20,879 | 47.0 |
| | Conservative | 18,156 | 40.8 |
| | Brexit Party | 2,601 | 5.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | 1,626 | 3.7 |
| | Green | 946 | 2.1 |
| | Others | 243 | 0.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | 44,451 | 59.0 |
| Electorate | Electorate | 75,330 |
General election 2019: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Richard Burgon | 19,464 | 49.8 | −11.6 |
| | Conservative | Jill Mortimer | 13,933 | 35.7 | +5.1 |
| | Brexit Party | Sarah Wass | 2,981 | 7.6 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | David Dresser | 1,796 | 4.6 | +2.8 |
| | Green | Shahab Adris | 878 | 2.3 | +1.3 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,531 | 14.1 | −16.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,052 | 58.0 | −4.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −8.3 | |
General election 2017: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Richard Burgon | 25,428 | 61.4 | +7.7 |
| | Conservative | Matthew Robinson | 12,676 | 30.6 | +9.7 |
| | UKIP | Paul Spivey | 1,742 | 4.2 | −14.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ed Sanderson | 739 | 1.8 | −1.6 |
| | Green | Jaimes Moran | 434 | 1.0 | −1.9 |
| | Yorkshire | John Otley | 422 | 1.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,752 | 30.8 | −2.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,441 | 62.8 | +3.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −1.0 | |
General election 2015: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Richard Burgon | 20,530 | 53.7 | +3.3 |
| | Conservative | Ryan Stephenson | 7,997 | 20.9 | −2.3 |
| | UKIP | Mark Maniatt | 7,256 | 19.0 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Ed Sanderson | 1,296 | 3.4 | −14.1 |
| | Green | Kate Bisson | 1,117 | 2.9 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,533 | 32.8 | +5.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,196 | 59.0 | +0.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +2.8 | |
General election 2010: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Mudie | 19,056 | 50.4 | −9.4 |
| | Conservative | Barry Anderson | 8,763 | 23.2 | +1.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Tear | 6,618 | 17.5 | +0.3 |
| | BNP | Trevor Brown | 2,947 | 7.8 | New |
| | Alliance for Green Socialism | Mike Davies | 429 | 1.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,293 | 27.2 | −10.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 37,813 | 58.1 | +2.0 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −5.5 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Mudie | 17,799 | 59.1 | −3.8 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Andrew Tear | 6,221 | 20.7 | +7.2 |
| | Conservative | Dominic Ponniah | 5,557 | 18.6 | −0.8 |
| | Independent | Peter Socrates | 500 | 1.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,578 | 38.4 | −5.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,107 | 55.0 | +3.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −5.5 | |
General election 2001: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Mudie | 18,290 | 62.9 | −4.6 |
| | Conservative | Barry Anderson | 5,647 | 19.4 | +0.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Brian Jennings | 3,923 | 13.5 | +3.2 |
| | UKIP | Raymond Northgreaves | 634 | 2.2 | New |
| | Socialist Labour | Mark King | 419 | 1.4 | New |
| | Independent | Peter Socrates | 142 | 0.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,643 | 43.5 | −5.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 29,055 | 51.5 | −11.3 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −2.7 | |

### Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Mudie | 24,151 | 67.5 | +9.8 |
| | Conservative | John Emsley | 6,685 | 18.7 | −9.6 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Madeleine Kirk | 3,689 | 10.3 | −3.7 |
| | Referendum | Leon Parrish | 1,267 | 3.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,466 | 48.8 | +19.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 35,792 | 62.8 | −7.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +9.7 | |
General election 1992: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | George Mudie | 24,929 | 57.7 | +9.0 |
| | Conservative | Neil Carmichael | 12,232 | 28.3 | +1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Wrigley | 6,040 | 14.0 | −10.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,697 | 29.4 | +7.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,201 | 70.0 | −0.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.6 | |

### Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 20,932 | 48.7 | +4.9 |
| | Conservative | John Sheard | 11,406 | 26.6 | −2.7 |
| | Liberal | Maggie Clay | 10,630 | 24.7 | −1.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,526 | 22.1 | +7.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,968 | 70.2 | +3.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.9 | |
General election 1983: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 18,450 | 43.8 | −11.7 |
| | Conservative | Andrew Bell | 12,355 | 29.3 | −4.0 |
| | Liberal | Maggie Clay | 10,884 | 25.8 | +16.0 |
| | National Front | Andrew Brons | 475 | 1.1 | +0.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,095 | 14.5 | −7.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,164 | 66.3 | −4.2 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −3.9 | |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 26,346 | 55.43 | |
| | Conservative | A. Carter | 15,810 | 33.26 | |
| | Liberal | Michael Ellis | 4,622 | 9.72 | |
| | National Front | John Rigby | 445 | 0.94 | New |
| | Ecology | A.C. Hill | 206 | 0.43 | New |
| | Workers Revolutionary | Barbara Slaughter | 103 | 0.22 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,536 | 22.17 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,532 | 70.89 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −2.76 | |
General election October 1974: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 24,745 | 55.64 | |
| | Conservative | J.W. Dawson | 12,434 | 27.96 | |
| | Liberal | S. Marsh | 6,970 | 15.67 | |
| | PEOPLE | N. Russell | 327 | 0.74 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,311 | 27.68 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,476 | 65.66 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 25,550 | 50.60 | |
| | Conservative | Anthony Nelson | 15,036 | 29.78 | |
| | Liberal | S. Marsh | 9,906 | 19.62 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,514 | 20.82 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,492 | 75.26 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1970: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 28,827 | 57.14 | |
| | Conservative | Patrick Crotty | 21,112 | 41.85 | |
| | Communist | Joan Bellamy | 513 | 1.02 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,715 | 15.29 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,452 | 65.87 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 30,073 | 61.54 |
| | Conservative | Anthony Richard M Graham | 18,796 | 38.46 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,277 | 23.08 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 48,869 | 72.73 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1964: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 29,480 | 57.86 |
| | Conservative | John A Fawcett | 21,474 | 42.14 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,006 | 15.72 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 50,954 | 76.11 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 28,707 | 54.55 |
| | Conservative | John A Fawcett | 23,922 | 45.45 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,785 | 9.10 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 52,629 | 79.65 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1955: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Denis Healey | 26,083 | 55.23 |
| | Conservative | Cyril Donald Chapman | 21,144 | 44.77 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,939 | 10.46 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 47,227 | 76.24 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |

### Elections in the 1910s

General election December 1910: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | James O'Grady | 4,028 | 68.0 | −2.0 |
| | Conservative | W.H. Clarke | 1,892 | 32.0 | +2.0 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,136 | 36.0 | −4.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 5,920 | 62.9 | −18.6 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,419 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | −2.0 | |
General election January 1910: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | James O'Grady | 5,373 | 70.0 | +3.9 |
| | Conservative | W.H. Clarke | 2,308 | 30.0 | −3.9 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 3,065 | 40.0 | +7.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,681 | 81.5 | +12.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,419 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +3.9 | |

### Elections in the 1900s

General election 1906: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Repr. Cmte. | James O'Grady | 4,299 | 66.1 | +46.0 |
| | Conservative | Henry Cautley | 2,208 | 33.9 | −20.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,091 | 32.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,507 | 68.6 | +1.1 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,490 | | |
| | Labour Repr. Cmte. gain from Conservative | Labour Repr. Cmte. gain from Conservative | Swing | +33.4 | |
General election 1900: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Henry Cautley | 3,453 | 54.7 | +9.8 |
| | Liberal | J. R. Maguire | 1,586 | 25.2 | −29.9 |
| | Labour Repr. Cmte. | William Byles | 1,266 | 20.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,867 | 29.5 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,305 | 67.5 | −9.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,336 | | |
| | Conservative gain from Liberal | Conservative gain from Liberal | Swing | +19.9 | |

### Elections in the 1890s

General election 1895: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Leuty | 3,857 | 55.1 | −0.6 |
| | Conservative | John Danvers Power | 3,147 | 44.9 | +0.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 710 | 10.2 | −1.2 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,004 | 77.4 | −1.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,044 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −0.6 | |
By-election, 30 Apr 1895: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | Thomas Leuty | 3,999 | 58.2 | +2.5 |
| | Conservative | John Danvers Power | 2,868 | 41.8 | −2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,131 | 16.4 | +5.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,867 | 75.9 | −3.2 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,044 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | +2.5 | |
General election 1892: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Gane | 4,024 | 55.7 | −2.5 |
| | Conservative | Arthur Henry Aylmer Morton | 3,197 | 44.3 | +2.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 827 | 11.4 | −5.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,221 | 79.1 | +2.7 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 9,134 | | |
| | Liberal hold | Liberal hold | Swing | −2.5 | |

### Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Liberal | John Gane | 3,930 | 58.2 | +10.5 |
| | Conservative | Richard Dawson | 2,820 | 41.8 | −10.5 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,110 | 16.4 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 6,750 | 76.4 | −6.9 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,831 | | |
| | Liberal gain from Conservative | Liberal gain from Conservative | Swing | +10.5 | |
General election 1885: Leeds East :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Richard Dawson | 3,849 | 52.3 | |
| | Liberal | John Gane | 3,504 | 47.7 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 345 | 4.6 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 7,353 | 83.3 | |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 8,831 | | |
| | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) | Conservative win (new seat) |