List of parliamentary constituencies in Cornwall explained

The ceremonial county of Cornwall, which includes the Isles of Scilly, is divided into six parliamentary constituencies. They are all county constituencies.

Parliamentary history of Cornwall

Four of the six Cornish parliamentary seats are currently held by Labour, after having no seats in Cornwall between the 2005 and 2024 elections. Two are held by the Liberal Democrats since the 2024 election, after previously winning all Cornish constituencies in 2005 then losing three to the Conservatives in 2010, and losing the remaining three to the Conservatives in 2015. The Conservatives, who had won no Cornish seats in 1997, 2001 and 2005, held three from 2010 and all six from 2015 to 2024. In 2017, several previous Liberal Democrat candidates, including previous MPs Andrew George and Steve Gilbert stood in their old seats, but failed to be re-elected. In all six seats, the Labour vote surged, pushing the Liberal Democrats into third place in four of the six seats. In the 2019 election, Labour retained their position as the second-placed party in most of the Cornish seats, holding their vote up far better in the region than elsewhere in the country.

In the 2024 election, the Conservatives lost all six seats, four of them going to Labour and the other two going to the Liberal Democrats, with Andrew George (MP for St Ives 1997-2015) retaking his St Ives seat for the first time since 2015 - George stood in his St Ives constituency in every election since 1992, winning in six out of nine elections. This marked the first time since 2005 that the Conservatives held no seats in Cornwall, the first time since 2015 that the Liberal Democrats held any seats, and the first time since 2005 that the Labour Party held any seats. It is also the first time in history that the Labour Party has held a majority of Cornish seats, as well as the most seats they have ever gained there, previously only holding one seat in a number of elections, and thus is their best result in Cornwall ever. Reform UK failed to win any seats in Cornwall but came third in five out of six seats and fourth in the remaining seat, while the Green Party came fifth in all six seats and increased their vote share in all seats.

Constituencies

See also: 2024 United Kingdom general election.

ConstituencyElectorate[1] Majority[2] Member of ParliamentNearest oppositionCurrent electoral wards[3] [4] Map
Camborne and Redruth74,3827,806 Perran MoonConnor Donnithorne ‡
  • Camborne Roskear & Tuckingmill
  • Camborne Trelowarren
  • Camborne West & Treswithian
  • Constantine, Mabe & Mawnan
  • Crowan, Sithney & Wendron (part)
  • Falmouth Trescobeas & Budock (part)
  • Four Lanes, Beacon & Troon
  • Gwinear-Gwithian & Hayle East
  • Hayle West
  • Helston South & Meneage (part)
  • Illogan & Portreath
  • Lanner, Stithians & Gwennap (part)
  • Mylor, Perranarworthal & Ponsanooth (part)
  • Perranporth (part)
  • Pool & Tehidy
  • Redruth Central, Carharrack & St Day
  • Redruth North
  • Redruth South
  • St Agnes (part)
North Cornwall76,74110,767Ben Maguire ¤Scott Mann
  • Altarnun & Stoke Climsland
  • Bodmin St Mary's & St Leonard
  • Bodmin St Petroc
  • Bude
  • Camelford & Boscastle
  • Lanivet, Blisland & Bodmin St Lawrence
  • Launceston North & North Petherwin
  • Launceston South
  • Padstow
  • Poundstock
  • St Teath & Tintagel
  • Stratton, Kilkhampton & Morwenstow
  • Wadebridge East & St Minver
  • Wadebridge West & St Mabyn
South East Cornwall72,6541,911 Anna GelderdSheryll Murray
  • Callington & St Dominic
  • Calstock
  • Liskeard Central
  • Liskeard South & Dobwalls
  • Looe East & Deviock
  • Looe West, Pelynt, Lansallos & Lanteglos
  • Lostwithiel & Lanreath
  • Lynher
  • Rame Peninsula & St Germans
  • Roche & Bugle (part)
  • Saltash Essa
  • Saltash Tamar
  • Saltash Trematon & Landrake
  • St Cleer & Menheniot
  • Torpoint
St Austell and Newquay76,0762,470Noah LawSteve Double
  • Fowey, Tywardreath & Par
  • Mevagissey & St Austell Bay
  • Newquay Central & Pentire
  • Newquay Porth & Tretherras
  • Newquay Trenance
  • Penwithick & Boscoppa
  • Roche & Bugle (part)
  • St Austell Bethel & Holmbush
  • St Austell Central & Gover
  • St Austell Poltair & Mount Charles
  • St Blazey
  • St Columb Major, St Mawgan & St Wenn
  • St Columb Minor & Colan
  • St Dennis & St Enoder
  • St Goran, Tregony & the Roseland (part)
  • St Mewan & Grampound
  • St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhavern (part)
  • St Stephen-in-Brannel
St Ives69,97813,786Andrew George ¤Derek Thomas
  • Crowan, Sithney & Wendron (part)
  • Helston North
  • Helston South & Meneage (part)
  • Land's End
  • Long Rock, Marazion & St Erth
  • Ludgvan, Madron, Gulval & Heamoor
  • Mousehole, Newlyn & St Buryan
  • Mullion & St Keverne
  • Penzance East
  • Penzance Promenade
  • Porthleven, Breage & Germoe
  • St Ives, Lelant & Carbis Bay
  • St Ives West & Towednack

Isles of Scilly

Truro and Falmouth72,9828,151 Jayne KirkhamCherilyn Mackrory
  • Falmouth Arwenack
  • Falmouth Boslowick
  • Falmouth Penwerris
  • Falmouth Trescobeas & Budock (part)
  • Feock & Kea
  • Gloweth, Malabar & Shortlanesend
  • Lanner, Stithians & Gwennap (part)
  • Mylor, Perranarworthal & Ponsanooth (part)
  • Penryn
  • Perranporth (part)
  • Probus & St Erme
  • St Agnes (part)
  • St Goran, Tregony & the Roseland (part)
  • St Newlyn East, Cubert & Goonhaven (part)
  • Threemilestone & Chacewater
  • Truro Boscawen & Redannick
  • Truro Moresk & Trehaverne

Boundary changes

2024

See 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies for further details.

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 retained the six existing parliamentary constituencies in Cornwall with the same names and relatively minor alterations compared to other parts of the country.[5]

2010

Under the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the Boundary Commission for England decided to increase the number of seats which covered Cornwall from 5 to 6. Falmouth and Camborne, and Truro and St Austell were abolished and replaced by Camborne and Redruth, St Austell and Newquay, and Truro and Falmouth.

Results history

Primary data source: House of Commons research briefing – General election results from 1918 to 2019[6]

Vote breakdown

YearLabourConservativeLiberal DemocratsReformGreenUKIPMebyon KernowOthersNotes
Votes%-/+Votes%-/+Votes%-/+Votes%-/+Votes%-/+Votes%-/+Votes%-/+Votes%
202477,51726.0+3.376,81725.8-27.773,69124.7+5.548,57416.3%+16.313,7784.6+2.51110.0+16.5did not contest3,7401.3
201974,39223.1-3.6173,02753.8+5.462,16519.3-4.2did not contest7,1292.2+1.1did not contest1,6600.5+0.53,6021.1
201783,96826.7+14.4152,42848.4+5.373,87523.5+1.1did not exist3,2181.0-4.88970.3-13.5did not contest3230.1
201536,23512.3+3.7127,07943.1+2.266,05622.4-19.417,2415.8+4.540,78513.8+8.95,6751.91,7570.6
201024,2578.6-7.0115,01640.9+9.1117,30741.8-2.63,5731.3+0.613,7634.9-0.15,3791.9+0.51,5860.6
200541,14015.6-1.782,54331.8-0.8115,24144.4-0.41,7380.7+0.712,8635.0+1.33,5521.4+0.12,3560.9
200143,67417.3+0.282,22732.6+2.2113,00044.8+0.9did not contest9,2903.7+2.73,1991.3+0.67270.3
199747,91317.1+3.285,07730.4-12.3123,12443.9+2.24820.2-0.12,9261.0+1.01,9060.7+0.718,7796.7
199241,59313.9+1.3127,67842.7-4.6124,55341.7+1.71,0350.3+0.3did not existdid not contest4,0981.4
198734,99412.6+3.7131,19447.3-2.0111,06440.0-0.8did not contestdid not contest3730.1
198322,8388.9-3.7126,18249.3-1.3104,36540.8+6.67760.3-0.21,1510.5-1.16770.3

Percentage votes

Election year192319241929194519501951195519591964196619701974(Feb)1974(Oct)197919831987199219972001200520102015201720192024
Labour2.39.718.125.429.633.330.727.525.927.624.619.620.012.68.912.613.917.117.315.98.612.326.723.126.0
Conservative135.048.638.442.044.250.548.543.841.141.147.941.843.650.649.347.342.730.432.631.840.943.148.453.825.8
Liberal Democrat252.641.742.432.626.216.220.828.732.830.627.038.235.234.240.840.041.744.044.844.441.822.423.519.324.7
Reform16.3
Green Party1.35.81.02.24.6
UKIP4.913.80.3
Other10.01.20.40.10.70.40.41.22.61.00.11.78.65.27.92.52.50.11.617.6
1Includes Constitutionalist in 1924 and National Liberal Party up to 1966

21950–1979 – Liberal; 1983 & 1987 – SDP-Liberal Alliance

* Included in Other

Meaningful vote percentages are not applicable for the elections of 1918, 1922, 1931 and 1935 since one or more seats were gained unopposed.

Seats

Election year1918192219231924192919311935194519501951195519591964196619701974(Feb)1974(Oct)197919831987199219972001200520102015201720192024
Labour00000001111111000000011000004
Liberal Democrat221405211000012122111244530002
Conservative122050343444432433444300036660
National Liberal12000000000000000000000000000
Independent Liberal00100000000000000000000000000
Total55555555555555555555555566666
1Includes Constitutionalist in 1924 and National Liberal Party up to 1966

2pre-1979 – Liberal; 1983 & 1987 – SDP-Liberal Alliance

Maps

1950–present

Historical representation by party

A cell marked → (with a different colour background to the preceding cell) indicates that the previous MP continued to sit under a new party name.

1832 to 1847 (14 MPs)

Constituency183218351837384018414243444546
BodminPeterC. VivianSpry
SpryGardner
Cornwall EasternMolesworthR. H. VivianW. Rashleigh
W. Salusbury-TrelawnyEliotPole-Carew
Cornwall WesternWynne-Pendarves
LemonBoscawen-RoseLemon
HelstonLane-FoxTownshendSackvilleBassetR. Vyvyan
LauncestonHardingeBowles
LiskeardC. Buller
Penryn & FalmouthRolfeHutchinsJ. C. Vivian
BuryFreshfieldPlumridge
St IvesHalseW. PraedPowlett
TruroR. H. VivianJ. E. Vivian
TookeTurner

1847 to 1868 (14 MPs)

Constituency184749185253541857581859596518656668
BodminWyldMichellJ. C. VivianLeveson-Gower
LacyGraves-SawleWyldMichellWyld
Cornwall EasternT. J. Agar-Robartes
Pole-CarewKendall
Cornwall WesternWynne-PendarvesWilliamsSt Aubyn
LemonDavey
HelstonR. VyvyanTruemanRogersYoungW. Brett
LauncestonBowlesPercyHaliburtonCampbellLopes
LiskeardC. BullerCrowderGreyOsborneA. Buller
Penryn & FalmouthGwynBaringSmith
MowattFreshfieldGurney
St IvesPowlettLaffanPaull
TruroJ. E. VivianA. SmithJ. C. Vivian
TurnerH. WillyamsH. VivianE. WillyamsM. SmithF. Williams

1868 to 1885 (13 MPs)

Constituency186869711874747677781880818285
BodminLeveson-Gower
Cornwall EasternE. WillyamsC. RashleighT. C. Agar-RobartesDyke Acland
J. Salusbury-TrelawneyJ. TremayneBorlase
Cornwall WesternSt Aubyn
A. Vivian
HelstonYoungMolesworth-St Aubyn
LauncestonLopesDeakinGiffardWebster
LiskeardA. BullerHorsmanCourtney
Penryn & FalmouthFowlerJenkins
EastwickColeR. Brett
St IvesMagniacDavenportC. PraedReedRoss
TruroJ. C. VivianMcGarel-Hogg
F. WilliamsA. TremayneE. Willyams

1885 to 1906 (7 MPs)

Constituency188518868718921895989919000304
CourtneyMolesworth
ConybeareStraussCaineLawson
C. Dyke-AclandOwenMoulton
bgcolor=JenkinsCavendish-BentinckHorniman
BorlaseMcArthur
bgcolor=St AubynBolithoHain
bgcolor=Bickford-SmithWilliamsDurning-Lawrence

1906 to 1918 (7 MPs)

Constituency19060608Jan 1910Dec 1910 121516
Agar-RobartesFreeman-ThomasGrenfellPole-CarewHanson
DunnF. Dyke Acland
Marks
BarkerGoldman
McArthurAgar-RobartesLayland-Barratt
Cory
Morgan

1918 to 1931 (5 MPs)

Constituency1918221922192319242428192931
BodminHansonFootHarrisonFoot
CamborneDyke AclandMoreingJonesMoreingJones
Cornwall NorthMarksbgcolor=WilliamsMaclean
Penryn and FalmouthNichollShipwrightbgcolor=ManselPilcherWalters
St IvesCoryHawkebgcolor=CoryHawkebgcolor=H. RuncimanW. Runciman

1931 to 1950 (5 MPs)

Constituency193132193537394119454647
BodminFootRathboneB. RathboneMarshall
CamborneAgnew
Cornwall NorthMacleanDyke AclandHorabin
Penryn and FalmouthPetherickKing
St IvesW. RuncimanBeechman

1950 to 1983 (5 MPs)

Constituency195019511955195919641966681970Feb 1974Oct 19741979
BodminMarshallBessellHicksTylerHicks
Cornwall NorthRoperScott-HopkinsPardoeNeale
Falmouth & CamborneHaymanDunwoodyMudd
St IvesHowardNott
TruroWilsonDixonPenhaligon

1983 to 2010 (5 MPs)

Constituency1983871987881992199720012005
Cornwall NorthNealeTylerRogerson
Cornwall South EastHicksBreed
Falmouth and CamborneMuddCoeAthertonGoldsworthy
St IvesHarrisGeorge
Truro / Truro & St Austell ('97)PenhaligonTaylor

2010 to present (6 MPs)

Constituency20102015201720192024
Camborne and RedruthEusticeMoon
North CornwallRogersonMannMaguire
South East CornwallMurrayGelderd
St Austell and NewquayGilbertDoubleLaw
St IvesGeorgeThomasGeorge
Truro and FalmouthNewtonMackroryKirkham

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024 General Election - 4th July 2024 - Cornwall Council . 2024-07-10 . www.cornwall.gov.uk.
  2. The majority is the number of votes the winning candidate receives more than their nearest rival.
  3. Web site: LGBCE Cornwall LGBCE Site. 2021-10-15. www.lgbce.org.uk. en.
  4. Web site: Election Maps. 2021-10-15. www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk.
  5. Web site: The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume one: Report Boundary Commission for England . 2023-07-10 . boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk . paras 1204-1215.
  6. Watson. Christopher. Uberoi. Elise. Loft. Philip. 2020-04-17. General election results from 1918 to 2019. en-GB.