View source for History of parliamentary constituencies and boundaries in Norfolk

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
The [[ceremonial county]] of '''[[Norfolk]]''' returned nine [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]] to the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|UK Parliament]]. Under the [[2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|2023 review of Westminster constituencies]], coming into effect for the [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024 general election]], the [[Boundary commissions (United Kingdom)|boundary commission]] proposed 10 constituencies, including one which is shared with the county of [[Suffolk]].
== Number of seats ==
The table below shows the number of MPs representing Norfolk at each major redistribution of seats affecting the county.
{| class="wikitable"
!Year
!County
seats'''<sup>1</sup>'''
!Borough
seats<sup>1</sup>
!Total
|-
|Prior to 1832
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |10
| align="center" |'''12'''
|-
|1832–1868
| align="center" |4
| align="center" |8
| align="center" |'''12'''
|-
|1868–1885
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |4
| align="center" |'''10'''
|-
|1885–1918
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |4
| align="center" |'''10'''
|-
|1918–1950
| align="center" |5
| align="center" |3
| align="center" |'''8'''
|-
|1950–1974
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |'''8'''
|-
|1974–1983
| align="center" |5
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |'''7'''
|-
|1983–2010
| align="center" |6
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |'''8'''
|-
|2010–2024
| align="center" |7
| align="center" |2
| align="center" |'''9'''
|-
|2024–present
|align="center" |8
|align="center" |2
|align="center" |'''10'''<sup>2</sup>
|}
<sup>1</sup>Prior to 1950, seats were classified as County Divisions or Parliamentary Boroughs. Since 1950, they have been classified as County or Borough [[United Kingdom constituencies|Constituencies]].
<sup>2</sup>Includes one cross-county border constituency shared with Suffolk.
== Timeline ==
{{Legend2|#f9ff50|County seat|border=1px solid #aaaaaa}}
{{Legend2|#ff5555|Borough seat|border=1px solid #aaaaaa}}
{| class="wikitable"
!Constituency
!Prior to 1832
!1832–1868
!1868–1885
!1885–1918
!1918–1950
!1950–1974
!1974–1983
!1983–2010
!2010–2024
!2024–present
|-
|[[Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Norfolk]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1290–1832 (2 MPs)
| colspan="9" |
|-
|[[Norwich (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" colspan="5" |1295–1950 (2 MPs)
| colspan="5" |
|-
|[[Norwich North (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich North]]
| colspan="5" |
| colspan="5" align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1950–present
|-
|[[Norwich South (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich South]]
| colspan="5" |
| colspan="5" align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1950–present
|-
|[[Broadland (UK Parliament constituency)|Broadland]]
| colspan="8" |
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |2010–2024
|
|-
|[[Broadland and Fakenham (UK Parliament constituency)|Broadland and Fakenham]]
| colspan="9" |
|align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |2024–present
|-
|[[North Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|North Norfolk]]
| colspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1868–1885 (2 MPs)
| colspan="7" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1885–present
|-
|[[East Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|East Norfolk]]
|
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1832–1868 (2 MPs)
|
| colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1885–1950
| colspan="5" |
|-
|[[Great Yarmouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Great Yarmouth]]
| colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1295–1868 (2 MPs)
|
| colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1885–1950
| colspan="5" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1950–present
|-
|[[South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South Norfolk]]
| colspan="2" |
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1868–1885 (2 MPs)
| colspan="7" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1885–present
|-
|[[Waveney Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Waveney Valley]] (part)
| colspan="9" |
|align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |2024–present
|-
|[[Mid Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid Norfolk]]
| colspan="3" |
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1885–1918
| colspan="3" |
| colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1983–present
|-
|[[Central Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Central Norfolk]]
| colspan="5" |
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1950–1974
| colspan="4" |
|-
|[[Thetford (UK Parliament constituency)|Thetford]]
| colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1529–1868 (2 MPs)
| colspan="8" |
|-
|[[West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|West Norfolk]]
|
| colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1832–1885 (2 MPs)
| colspan="7" |
|-
|[[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South West Norfolk]]
| colspan="3" |
| colspan="7" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1885–present
|-
|[[North West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|North West Norfolk]]
| colspan="3" |
| align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1885–1918
| colspan="2" |
| colspan="4" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1974–present
|-
|[[King's Lynn (UK Parliament constituency)|King's Lynn]]
| colspan="3" align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1295–1885 (2 MPs)
| align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1885–1918
| colspan="2" align="center" bgcolor="#f9ff50" |1918–1974
| colspan="4" |
|-
|[[Castle Rising (UK Parliament constituency)|Castle Rising]]
| align="center" bgcolor="#ff5555" |1558–1832 (2 MPs)
| colspan="9" |
|}
== Boundary reviews ==
{| class="wikitable"
!style="width:5%;" | Prior to 1832
|style="width:70%;" |Since 1290, the Parliamentary County of [[Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Norfolk]] along with all other English counties regardless of size or population, had elected 2 MPs ([[Knight of the shire|Knights of the Shire]]) to the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]].
The county also included five [[Parliamentary boroughs|Parliamentary Boroughs]], namely [[Castle Rising (UK Parliament constituency)|Castle Rising]], [[Great Yarmouth (UK Parliament constituency)|Great Yarmouth]] (partly in Suffolk), [[King's Lynn (UK Parliament constituency)|King's Lynn]], [[Norwich (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich]] and [[Thetford (UK Parliament constituency)|Thetford]], all returning 2 MPs (burgesses) each.
|style=width:25%;"|
|-
!1832
|The [[Reform Act 1832|Great Reform Act]] of 1832 radically changed the representation of the House of Commons, with the county being divided into the [[East Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Eastern]] and [[West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Western]] Divisions, both returning 2 MPs.
The Borough of Castle Rising was abolished.
|
|-
!1868
|Under the [[Representation of the People Act 1867|Reform Act of 1867]], the county was further divided. The Eastern Division was abolished and redistributed to the [[North Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|North]] and [[South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South]] Divisions, which both also included small areas transferred from the Western Division.
Thetford's representation was reduced to 1 MP and Great Yarmouth was disenfranchised for corruption. Thetford was then also disenfranchised under the [[Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1868]], which had resulted in a net increase of seven seats in Scotland, offset by the disenfranchisement of seven English Boroughs.
|
|-
!1885
|Under the [[Redistribution of Seats Act 1885]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Great Britain|first=Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales|url=https://archive.org/details/publicgeneralac01walegoog|title=The public general acts|publisher=Proprietors of the Law Journal Reports, 1884|others=unknown library|language=English}}</ref> the three two-member county divisions were replaced by six single-member constituencies, namely the [[East Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Eastern]], [[Mid Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid]], [[North Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Northern]], [[North West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|North-Western]], [[South Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Southern]] and [[South West Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|South-Western]] Divisions.
Great Yarmouth was re-established as a single-member Borough and the representation of the Borough of King's Lynn was reduced to 1 MP.
Norwich continued to elect 2 MPs.
|[[File:Norfolk1885.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 1885–1918|center|thumb|220x220px|Norfolk 1885–1918]]
|-
!1918
|Under the [[Representation of the People Act 1918]],<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fraser|first=Hugh|url=https://archive.org/details/representationof00frasrich|title=The Representation of the people act, 1918 : with explanatory notes|date=1918|publisher=London : Sweet and Maxwell|others=University of California Libraries}}</ref> the Parliamentary Borough of King's Lynn was abolished and reconstituted as a county division, absorbing the abolished North-Western Division, with the exception of [[Fakenham]] and surrounding areas, which were transferred to the Northern Division.
The Mid Division was also abolished, with northern areas, including [[Dereham|East Dereham]], being transferred to the South-Western Division, and southern areas to the Southern Division. The Eastern Division was expanded southwards, gaining the [[Loddon and Clavering Rural District|Rural District of Loddon and Clavering]] from the Southern Division.
Other minor changes to align boundaries with those of local authorities.
|[[File:Norfolk1918.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 1918–1950|center|thumb|Norfolk 1918–1950]]
|-
!1950
|The [[Representation of the People Act 1948]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Representation of the People Act, 1948|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1948/65/contents/enacted/data.htm|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> resulted in the abolition of the Eastern Division, with its contents being distributed as follows:
* northern areas, including [[North Walsham]] and the [[Smallburgh Rural District|Rural District of Smallburgh]] to North Norfolk;
* southern areas ([[Loddon and Clavering Rural District|Rural District of Loddon]]) returned to South Norfolk;
* eastern areas (the bulk of the [[Blofield and Flegg Rural District|Rural District of Blofield and Flegg]]) included in the new county constituency of Yarmouth, together with the abolished Parliamentary Borough of Great Yarmouth; and
* western areas (former [[St Faith's Rural District|Rural District of St Faith's]], and the village of [[Thorpe St Andrew]]) included in the new county constituency of [[Central Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Central Norfolk]].
Central Norfolk also included areas to the north (former [[Aylsham Rural District|Rural District of Aylsham]]) and south ([[Forehoe and Henstead Rural District|Rural District of Forehoe and Henstead]]), transferred from the Northern and Southern divisions respectively.
The two-member Borough of Norwich was also abolished, and divided into the single-member borough constituencies of [[Norwich North (UK Parliament constituency)|Norwich North]] and [[Norwich South]].
The Municipal Borough of [[Thetford]] was transferred from South West Norfolk to South Norfolk.
Other minor changes to align boundaries with those of local authorities.
There were no changes for the [[1955 United Kingdom general election|1955 general election]] under the [[First Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|First Periodic Review of Westminster Constituencies]].
|[[File:Norfolk1950.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 1950–1974|center|thumb|Norfolk 1950–1974]]
|-
!1974
|Under the [[Second Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|Second Periodic Review]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1970|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1970/1674/contents/made/data.htm|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> representation was decreased back down to 7 MPs with the abolition of Central Norfolk. Northern and central areas (Rural District of St Faith's and Aylsham) were transferred to North Norfolk; southern areas returned to South Norfolk (Rural District of Forehoe and Henstead); and Thorpe St Andrew transferred to Yarmouth.
King's Lynn was replaced by North West Norfolk, which also incorporated [[Wells-next-the-Sea]] and the [[Walsingham Rural District|Rural District of Walsingham]], including Fakenham, transferred from North Norfolk.
|[[File:Norfolk1974.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 1974–1983|center|thumb|Norfolk 1974–1983]]
|-
!1983
|The [[Third Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|Third Review]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1983/417/contents/made/data.htm|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2020-05-31}}</ref> which reflected the changes to local authorities arising from the [[Local Government Act 1972]], but did not come into effect until the 1983 general election.
Norfolk's representation was restored to 8 MPs with the re-establishment of [[Mid Norfolk (UK Parliament constituency)|Mid Norfolk]] which was made up as follows:
* eastern areas transferred from Yarmouth;
* central areas (including [[Aylsham]]) transferred from North Norfolk; and
* western areas (including East Dereham) transferred from South West Norfolk.
Yarmouth was formally renamed Great Yarmouth and incorporated the small area, including [[Bradwell, Norfolk|Bradwell]], which had been transferred from [[Suffolk]] to Norfolk under the local government reorganisation and was previously part of the constituency of [[Lowestoft (UK Parliament constituency)|Lowestoft]].
Other changes included:
* Thetford and areas comprising the former [[Wayland Rural District|Rural District of Wayland]], including [[Attleborough]], transferred from South Norfolk to South West Norfolk;
* Wells-next-the-Sea and areas comprising the former Rural District of Walsingham, including Fakenham, transferred back from North West Norfolk to North Norfolk;
* Norwich North gained suburban areas now part of the [[Broadland|District of Broadland]], including Thorpe St Andrew from Yarmouth and [[Hellesdon]] and [[Sprowston]] from North Norfolk;
* Southern parts of Norwich North transferred to Norwich South.
|[[File:Norfolk1983.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 1983–1997|center|thumb|Norfolk 1983–1997]]
|-
!1997
|The [[Fourth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|Fourth Review]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1995/1626/made/data.htm|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> resulted in only minor changes to increase the electorates of the two Norwich constituencies.
The District of Broadland wards of [[Drayton, Norfolk|Drayton]] and [[Taverham]] were transferred from Mid Norfolk to Norwich North and the [[South Norfolk|District of South Norfolk]] wards of [[Cringleford]] and [[Colney]], and [[New Costessey]] were transferred from South Norfolk to Norwich South.
|[[File:Norfolk1997.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 1997–2010|center|thumb|Norfolk 1997–2010]]
|-
!2010
|In the [[Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies|Fifth Review]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1681/made/data.htm|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2020-06-01}}</ref> the [[Boundary Commission for England]] recommended that Norfolk's representation be increased to 9 MPs, with the creation of the constituency of [[Broadland (UK Parliament constituency)|Broadland]], based on the District of Broadland wards which had previously comprised a majority of Mid Norfolk, as well as Drayton and Taverham, transferred back from Norwich North. It also included Fakenham and surrounding areas, transferred once again from North Norfolk.
Mid Norfolk now comprised the District of Breckland wards in the previous version of the constituency with additional wards, including [[Watton, Norfolk|Watton]] and Attleborough, transferred from South West Norfolk. Six District of South Norfolk wards, including [[Wymondham]], were transferred from the constituency of South Norfolk.
Cringleford and Colney (but not New Costessey) were transferred back from Norwich South to South Norfolk and a small area in the south-west of North West Norfolk was transferred to South West Norfolk.
|[[File:Norfolk2010.svg|alt=Map of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk 2010–present|center|thumb|Norfolk 2010–2024]]
|-
!2024
|For the [[2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies]], which redrew the constituency map ahead of the [[2024 United Kingdom general election]], the [[Boundary Commission for England]] opted to combine Norfolk with Suffolk as a sub-region of the [[East of England]] region, with the creation of the cross-county boundary constituency of [[Waveney Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Waveney Valley]], which incorporated areas transferred from South Norfolk to the north of the [[River Waveney]], including the towns of [[Diss, Norfolk|Diss]] and [[Harleston, Norfolk|Harleston]]. To compensate South Norfolk, [[Wymondham]] was transferred back in from Mid Norfolk.
Apart from changes to align with new ward boundaries, the only other adjustment was to move [[Drayton, Norfolk|Drayton]] (but not [[Taverham]]) back from Broadland (renamed [[Broadland and Fakenham (UK Parliament constituency)|Broadland and Fakenham]]) to Norwich North once again.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume one: Report {{!}} Boundary Commission for England |url=https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/2023-review/2023-review-volume-one-report/ |access-date=2023-07-09 |website= |at=paras 263-293}}</ref>
|[[File:Norfolk2024.svg|alt=Map of UK parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk from 2024|center|thumb|Norfolk 2024–present]]
|}
== See also ==
* [[List of parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk]]
{{UK constituencies}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk (historic)]]