Macclesfield (constituency)

Macclesfield
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Map of constituency
Boundary of Macclesfield in North West England
CountyCheshire
Electorate75,881 (2023)[1]
Major settlementsMacclesfield, Poynton, Bollington and Prestbury
Current constituency
Created1885
Member of ParliamentTim Roca (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created fromEast Cheshire
1832–1885
SeatsTwo
Type of constituencyBorough constituency
Created fromCheshire
Replaced byEast Cheshire

Macclesfield is a constituency[n 1] in Cheshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament .[n 2]

Constituency profile

Macclesfield is a constituency in Cheshire. It is centred on the town of Macclesfield, which has a population of around 56,000.[2] Other settlements in the constituency include the small towns of Poynton and Bollington and the villages of Prestbury and Disley. Macclesfield is a historic market town and was traditionally an important centre for silk-weaving, an industry that was also present in Bollington. The constituency is highly affluent, particularly so in Poynton, Prestbury and the north of Macclesfield which have very low levels of deprivation.[3] The area is well-connected to nearby Manchester and is popular with retirees and middle-class commuters. House prices are similar to the national average and higher than the rest of North West England.[4]

In general, residents of the constituency are older, well-educated and more likely to be homeowners than the rest of the country. Rates of income and professional employment are high,[4] and a high proportion of residents work in the health, manufacturing and scientific sectors.[5] Rates of unemployment and child poverty are very low.[6] White people made up 95% of the population at the 2021 census.[7] At the local council, Macclesfield is represented by Labour Party councillors whilst the rest of the constituency elected mostly Conservatives. An estimated 52% of voters in the constituency supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, higher than the nationwide figure of 48%.[4]

History 1832–1885

Macclesfield was created as a two-member parliamentary borough by the Reform Act 1832. This continued until 1880 when, after problems at the general election that year, it was decided to declare the election void and suspend the writ of election (so no by-election could take place).

In September 1880 a Royal Commission was appointed to investigate further. A report of March 1881 confirmed the allegations of corruption. As a result, the borough constituency was disenfranchised, taking effect on 25 June 1885, and the town was absorbed into the East Cheshire constituency.

Boundaries since 1885

In 1885, under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the Macclesfield constituency was recreated with extended boundaries as one of eight new divisions of the county of Cheshire. From the 1885 general election it has continued to elect one MP until the present day.

1885–1918: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Northwich and Prestbury.[8]

1918–1950: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, the Urban Districts of Bredbury and Romiley, Buglawton, Compstall, Marple, and Yeardsley-cum-Whaley, the Rural District of Disley, in the Rural District of Congleton the civil parishes of Hulme Walfield and Newbold Astbury, and part of the Rural District of Macclesfield.[9]

Expanded along the eastern border of Cheshire, gaining Disley and Yeardley-cum-Whaley from Knutsford, and Bredbury and Romiley, Compstall and Marple from the abolished constituency of Hyde.

1950–1974: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, the Urban District of Bollington, and the Rural Districts of Disley and Macclesfield.[10]

The Urban Districts of Bredbury and Romiley (which had absorbed most of Compstall), and Marple were included in the new constituency of Cheadle. Bollington and the part of the Rural District of Macclesfield not previously in the constituency, including Poynton, were transferred from Knutsford. The Urban District of Yeardsley-cum-Whaley had been abolished and partly absorbed into Disley, and Buglawton had been absorbed into the Municipal Borough of Congleton. Other minor changes.

1974–1983: The Municipal Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, the Urban Districts of Alderley Edge and Bollington, and the Rural Districts of Disley and Macclesfield.[10]

Alderley Edge transferred from Knutsford.

From 1 April 1974 until the next boundary review came into effect for the 1983 general election, the constituency comprised parts of the newly formed Boroughs of Congleton and Macclesfield, but its boundaries were unchanged.

1983–1997: The Borough of Macclesfield wards of Alderley Edge, Bollington Central, Bollington East, Bollington West, Disley, Gawsworth, Henbury, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield North East, Macclesfield North West, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield West, Nether Alderley, Poynton Central, Poynton East, Poynton West, Prestbury, Rainow, and Sutton.[11]

The parts of the Borough of Congleton (comprising the former Municipal Borough thereof) were included in the new constituency of Congleton. Otherwise, only marginal changes to the boundaries.

1997–2010: The Borough of Macclesfield wards of Bollington Central, Bollington East, Bollington West, Disley, Gawsworth, Henbury, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield North East, Macclesfield North West, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield West, Poynton Central, Poynton East, Poynton West, Prestbury, Rainow, and Sutton.[12]

2010–present: The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007 defined the boundaries as:

The Borough of Macclesfield wards of Bollington Central, Bollington East, Bollington West, Disley & Lyme Handley, Gawsworth, Henbury, Macclesfield Bollinbrook, Macclesfield Broken Cross, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield Hurdsfield, Macclesfield Ivy, Macclesfield Ryles, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield Tytherington, Macclesfield West, Poynton Central, Poynton East, Poynton West, Prestbury, Rainow, and Sutton.[13]

Minor changes due to revision of ward boundaries.

However, before the new boundaries came into force for the 2010 election, the Borough of Macclesfield was abolished on 1 April 2009, becoming part of the new unitary authority of Cheshire East. Consequently, the constituency's boundaries are currently:

The Cheshire East Borough wards of Bollington, Broken Cross & Upton, Disley, Gawsworth, Macclesfield Central, Macclesfield East, Macclesfield Hurdsfield, Macclesfield South, Macclesfield Tytherington, Macclesfield West & Ivy, Poynton East & Pott Shrigley, Poynton West & Adlington, Prestbury, and Sutton.

The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies left the boundaries unchanged.[14]

The constituency currently covers the north-eastern part of the Cheshire East unitary authority, including the town of Macclesfield itself and the area surrounding it, such as Bollington and Prestbury, as well as Disley and Poynton. Much of the constituency is commuter territory for Manchester.[15]

Recent political history

Macclesfield had long been considered to be a safe seat for the Conservative Party, having been held by them since the 1918 general election.

Most areas in the towns of Macclesfield itself and Bollington have leant towards Labour or the Liberal Democrats and previously the Liberal Party; Prestbury, Gawsworth, Poynton and the swathe of countryside that makes up a significant proportion of the seat have historically returned large majorities for the Conservative Party.

2017–present

Since the 2017 general election, however, the constituency has been a target seat for Labour, after they achieved a 7% swing in that election.

In the 2019 local elections, the Conservatives lost every councillor they had in the town of Macclesfield, with Labour making significant gains in areas they had never won before. The Conservatives largely maintained their vote outside Macclesfield, except in Bollington and Disley, in which they came third behind Labour and Independent candidates.

The 2019 general election saw a 2% swing to the Conservative Party, the national average swing was 4.5%.

In the 2024 general election, Labour won the seat for the first time in its history, on a substantial swing of over 18.5%.

In the 2025 by-election, Greens won the seat by a landslide 750 votes with Labour behind at 560 - this does not refer to the constituency which is still held by Tim Roca (Labour)

EU Referendum

During the 2016 EU membership referendum, the constituency voted narrowly to remain in the EU, despite the UK overall voting to leave.[16] Around 7,000 constituents subsequently signed a petition calling for a second referendum.

Members of Parliament

Sir Nicholas Winterton who had been the Conservative MP, was first elected at a by-election in 1971 and held the seat until his retirement as an MP on the dissolution of the House of Commons in April 2010. Both Sir Nicholas and his wife Ann, Conservative MP for Congleton from 1983 to 2010, announced that they would not be candidates at the general election. On 17 October 2009 David Rutley was selected as the Conservative candidate by way of an open primary organised by the party and on 6 May 2010 was elected MP with an increased majority.[17]

MPs 1832–1850: Macclesfield Parliamentary Borough

From 1832 until 1885, Macclesfield was represented by two members of parliament.

Election1st Member[18]1st Party2nd Member[18]2nd Party
1832 John Brocklehurst Whig[19][20][21] John Ryle Conservative[21]
1837 Thomas Grimsditch Conservative[21]
1847 John Williams Radical[22][23][24]
1852 Edward Egerton Conservative
1859 Liberal
1868 William Brocklehurst Liberal David Chadwick Liberal
1880 writ suspended

MPs since 1885: Macclesfield county constituency

  • The Macclesfield constituency was recreated in 1885, and subsequently has elected one MP only.
Election Member[18] Party Notes
1885 William Brocklehurst Liberal Member for Macclesfield (borough) (1868–1885)
1886 William Bromley-Davenport Conservative Financial Secretary to the War Office (1902–05)
1906 William B Brocklehurst Liberal
1918 John Remer Conservative Resigned 6 November 1939
1939 by-election W. Garfield Weston Conservative
1945 Arthur Harvey Conservative Chair of the 1922 Committee (1966–1970)
1971 by-election Nicholas Winterton Conservative
2010 David Rutley Conservative Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories (2022–2024)
2024 Tim Roca Labour

Election results 1974–present

Election results 1950-2024

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Macclesfield[25][26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tim Roca 24,672 46.7 +14.1
Conservative David Rutley 15,552 29.5 −23.1
Reform Stephen Broadhurst 6,592 12.5 N/A
Green Amanda Iremonger 2,493 4.7 +0.4
Liberal Democrats Neil Christian 2,482 4.7 −5.9
Independent Chris Wellavize 779 1.5 N/A
SDP Dickon Fletcher 222 0.4 N/A
Rejected ballots 153
Majority 9,120 17.3 N/A
Turnout 52,792 69.1 −1.6
Registered electors 76,416 +0.3
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +18.6

Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Macclesfield[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Rutley 28,292 52.5 −0.2
Labour Neil Puttick 17,581 32.6 −4.2
Liberal Democrats Neil Christian 5,684 10.6 +4.4
Green James Booth 2,310 4.3 +2.1
Majority 10,711 19.9 +4.0
Turnout 53,867 70.7 −1.5
Registered electors 76,216 +1.3
Conservative hold Swing +2.0
General election 2017: Macclesfield[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Rutley 28,595 52.7 +0.1
Labour Neil Puttick 19,987 36.8 +14.1
Liberal Democrats Richard Flowers 3,350 6.2 −1.6
Green James Booth 1,213 2.2 −2.6
Independent Mark Johnson 1,162 2.1 N/A
Majority 8,608 15.9 −13.9
Turnout 54,307 72.2 +3.0
Registered electors 75,228 +4.7
Conservative hold Swing −7.0
General election 2015: Macclesfield[29][30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Rutley 26,063 52.5 +5.6
Labour Tim Roca 11,252 22.7 +2.4
UKIP Adrian Howard 6,037 12.2 +9.3
Liberal Democrats Neil Christian 3,842 7.7 −15.3
Green Joan Plimmer 2,404 4.8 +3.2
Majority 14,811 29.8 +5.9
Turnout 49,598 69.3 +1.0
Registered electors 71,712 –2.4
Conservative hold Swing +1.6
General election 2010: Macclesfield[31][32]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Rutley 23,503 47.0 −2.7
Liberal Democrats Roger Barlow 11,544 23.1 +3.5
Labour Adrian Heald 10,164 20.3 −8.7
Independent Brendan Murphy 2,590 5.2 N/A
UKIP Jacqueline Smith 1,418 2.8 N/A
Green John Knight 840 1.7 N/A
Majority 11,959 23.9 +3.3
Turnout 50,059 68.31 +5.2
Registered electors 73,417 +0.2
Conservative hold Swing −3.1

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Macclesfield[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 22,628 49.6 +0.7
Labour Stephen Carter 13,227 29.0 −4.1
Liberal Democrats Catherine O'Brien 8,918 19.5 +1.5
Veritas John Scott 848 1.9 N/A
Majority 9,401 20.6 +4.8
Turnout 45,621 63.1 +0.8
Registered electors 72,267 –1.2
Conservative hold Swing +2.4
General election 2001: Macclesfield[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 22,284 48.9 −0.7
Labour Stephen Carter 15,084 33.1 −0.6
Liberal Democrats Michael Flynn 8,217 18.0 +1.3
Majority 7,200 15.8 −0.2
Turnout 45,585 62.3 −12.9
Registered electors 73,123 +1.5
Conservative hold Swing −0.1

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Macclesfield[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 26,888 49.6 −6.4
Labour Janet Jackson 18,234 33.6 +10.8
Liberal Democrats Michael Flynn 9,075 16.7 −4.0
Majority 8,654 16.0 −17.2
Turnout 54,197 75.2 –6.3
Registered electors 72,049 +1.7
Conservative hold Swing −8.6
1992 notional result[36]
Party Vote %
Conservative32,33256.0
Labour13,20222.9
Liberal Democrats11,95820.7
Others2460.4
Turnout 57,738 81.5
Electorate 57,738
General election 1992: Macclesfield[37][38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 36,447 57.9 +1.5
Labour Martina Longworth 13,680 21.7 +2.1
Liberal Democrats Paul Beatty 12,600 20.0 −4.0
Natural Law Cheryl Penn 268 0.4 N/A
Majority 22,767 36.1 +3.7
Turnout 62,995 82.3 +4.9
Registered electors 76,548 +0.6
Conservative hold Swing −0.3

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Macclesfield[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 33,208 56.4 −3.0
Liberal Andrew Haldane 14,116 24.0 +2.3
Labour Caroline Pinder 11,563 19.6 +1.5
Majority 19,092 32.4 −5.3
Turnout 58,887 77.4 +2.4
Registered electors 76,093 +4.0
Conservative hold Swing −2.7
General election 1983: Macclesfield[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 32,538 59.4 –0.7
Liberal Ruth Coleman 11,859 21.6 +4.6
Labour Peter Kelly 9,923 18.1 –4.9
Independent M. Reeman 488 0.9 N/a
Majority 20,679 37.7 +0.7
Turnout 54,808 75.0
Registered electors 73,082
Conservative hold Swing –2.6
1979 notional result[41]
Party Vote %
Conservative33,83060.0
Labour12,95123.0
Liberal9,58417.0
Turnout 56,365
Electorate

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 40,116 58.5 +8.2
Labour R.A. Foster 16,779 24.5 –5.0
Liberal Anthony Berry 11,726 17.1 –3.2
Majority 23,337 34.0 +13.2
Turnout 68,621 78.10 –0.6
Registered electors 87,864 +8.8
Conservative hold Swing +6.6
General election October 1974: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 31,685 50.3 +1.5
Labour Kenneth Little 18,592 29.5 +2.1
Liberal Anthony Berry 12,764 20.3 –3.6
Majority 13,093 20.8 –0.6
Turnout 63,041 78.7 –5.5
Registered electors 80,150 +0.8
Conservative hold Swing
General election February 1974: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 32,638 48.8 –3.7
Labour Harry Silverman 18,352 27.4 –5.0
Liberal Anthony Berry 15,926 23.8 +8.7
Majority 14,286 21.3 +1.3
Turnout 66,916 84.2 +8.2
Registered electors 79,481 +3.5
Conservative hold Swing +0.6
1970 notional result[42]
Party Vote %
Conservative30,60052.5
Labour18,90032.4
Liberal8,80015.1
Turnout 58,300 76.0
Electorate 76,733

Election results 1950–1974

Elections in the 1970s

1971 Macclesfield by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nicholas Winterton 24,933 44.65 −7.44
Labour Diana Jeuda 23,854 42.71 +9.38
Liberal R. M. Hammond 5,991 10.73 −3.85
Anti-Common Market Party Reginald Simmerson 976 1.75 N/A
English National Resurgence Robert Goodall 92 0.16 N/A
Majority 1,079 1.94 −16.82
Turnout 55,846
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 29,023 52.09
Labour Basil S. Jeuda 18,571 33.33
Liberal Robert M. Hammond 8,124 14.58
Majority 10,452 18.76
Turnout 55,718 76.36
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 24,736 46.84
Labour Alec George Read 20,533 38.88
Liberal Donald Fletcher Burden 7,545 14.29
Majority 4,203 7.96
Turnout 52,814 81.71
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 24,824 47.50
Labour Denis W. Coe 18,464 35.33
Liberal Gordon Hewlett-Johnson 8,975 17.17 N/A
Majority 6,360 12.17
Turnout 52,263 84.06
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 28,978 59.59
Labour John F. Bex 19,652 40.41
Majority 9,326 19.18
Turnout 48,630 82.57
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 27,551 60.01
Labour Kenneth Lomas 18,362 39.99
Majority 9,189 20.02
Turnout 45,913 80.56
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 29,434 59.03
Labour Agnes E. Taylor 20,428 40.97
Majority 9,006 18.06
Turnout 49,862 87.27
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes %
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 25,781 50.93
Labour Fred Blackburn 19,219 37.97
Liberal Clarence Doncaster 5,621 11.10
Majority 6,562 12.96
Turnout 50,621 89.42
Registered electors
Conservative win (new boundaries)

Election results 1918–1950

Election in the 1940s

General election 1945: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Arthur Vere Harvey 23,495 45.50
Labour Harold Fraser Urquhart 20,442 39.59
Liberal Edward Anthony Brooke Fletcher 7,702 14.92
Majority 3,053 5.91
Turnout 51,639 80.08
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1930s

General Election 1939–40: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

1939 Macclesfield by-election
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative W. Garfield Weston Unopposed
Registered electors
Conservative hold
General election 1935: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Remer 24,249 52.53 −17.44
Labour George Darling 14,761 31.98 +0.95
Liberal John Lawrence Poole 7,151 15.49 N/A
Majority 9,488 20.55
Turnout 46,161 78.87
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Macclesfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Remer 30,796 68.97 +28.07
Labour D. Scott Morton 13,854 31.03 +0.83
Majority 16,942 37.94
Turnout 44,650 81.25
Registered electors
Conservative hold Swing +13.62

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Macclesfield[43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist John Remer 19,329 41.9 −9.0
Labour John Williams 13,911 30.2 +0.1
Liberal Selwyn Lloyd 12,891 27.9 +8.9
Majority 5,418 11.7 −9.1
Turnout 46,131 87.0 +2.4
Registered electors 53,053
Unionist hold Swing −4.6
General election 1924: Macclesfield[43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist John Remer 17,171 50.9 +5.8
Labour John Williams 10,187 30.1 +9.6
Liberal Harry Krauss Nield 6,434 19.0 −15.4
Majority 6,984 20.8 +10.1
Turnout 33,792 84.6 +0.7
Registered electors 39,962
Unionist hold Swing −1.9
General election 1923: Macclesfield[43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist John Remer 14,744 45.1 −3.0
Liberal William Tudor Davies 11,259 34.4 +2.5
Labour Andrew Joseph Penston 6,713 20.5 +0.5
Majority 3,485 10.7 −5.5
Turnout 32,716 83.9 −2.1
Registered electors 38,982
Unionist hold Swing −2.8
General election 1922: Macclesfield[43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist John Remer 15,825 48.1 −10.1
Liberal Thomas Artemus Jones 10,477 31.9 N/A
Labour Andrew Joseph Penston 6,584 20.0 −21.8
Majority 5,348 16.2 −0.2
Turnout 32,886 86.0 +18.9
Registered electors 38,245
Unionist hold Swing +5.9

Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Macclesfield[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
C Unionist John Remer 14,277 58.2
Labour William Pimblott 10,253 41.8
Majority 4,024 16.4
Turnout 24,530 67.1
Registered electors 36,577
Unionist win (new boundaries)
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Election results 1885–1918

Elections in the 1910s

General Election 1914–15:

Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;

General election December 1910: Macclesfield[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William B Brocklehurst 4,410 51.6 +0.8
Conservative Ben Dent 4,142 48.4 −0.8
Majority 268 3.2 +1.6
Turnout 8,552 91.9 −3.9
Registered electors 9,306
Liberal hold Swing +0.8
General election January 1910: Macclesfield[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William B Brocklehurst 4,534 50.8 −2.3
Conservative William Bromley-Davenport 4,384 49.2 +2.3
Majority 150 1.6 −4.6
Turnout 8,918 95.8 +3.1
Registered electors 9,306
Liberal hold Swing −2.3

Elections in the 1900s

General election 1906: Macclesfield[44]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William B Brocklehurst 4,251 53.1 N/A
Conservative William Bromley-Davenport 3,757 46.9 N/A
Majority 494 6.2 N/A
Turnout 8,008 92.7 N/A
Registered electors 8,636
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing N/A
General election 1900: Macclesfield[45][46][47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Bromley-Davenport Unopposed
Conservative hold

Elections in the 1890s

General election 1895: Macclesfield[45][46][47]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Bromley-Davenport Unopposed
Conservative hold
General election 1892: Macclesfield[45][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Bromley-Davenport 4,322 56.0 +1.6
Liberal James Carlile McCoan 3,396 44.0 −1.6
Majority 926 12.0 +3.2
Turnout 7,718 86.1 +2.4
Registered electors 8,959
Conservative hold Swing +1.6

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1886: Macclesfield[45][46]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative William Bromley-Davenport 3,283 54.4 +8.2
Liberal William Brocklehurst 2,756 45.6 −8.2
Majority 527 8.8 N/A
Turnout 6,039 83.7 −1.7
Registered electors 7,211
Conservative gain from Swing +8.2
General election 1885: Macclesfield[48][45][46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Liberal William Brocklehurst 3,311 53.8
Conservative William Cunliffe Brooks 2,846 46.2
Majority 465 7.6
Turnout 6,157 85.4
Registered electors 7,211
Liberal win (new seat)

Election results 1832–1885

Elections in the 1880s

General election 1880: Macclesfield (2 seats)[49][50]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Brocklehurst 2,946 27.9 −1.0
Liberal David Chadwick 2,744 26.0 +0.5
Conservative William Eaton 2,678 25.4 +0.3
Conservative James Charles Whitehorne 2,188 20.7 +0.2
Majority 66 0.6 +0.2
Turnout 5,278 (est) 99.5 (est) +11.4
Registered electors 5,304
Void election result Swing −0.7
Void election result Swing +0.2

The writ was suspended after an investigation found extensive bribery and the 1880 election was void. Macclesfield was incorporated into Cheshire East from 25 June 1885, before being re-established for the 1885 election.[45]

Elections in the 1870s

General election 1874: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Brocklehurst 3,173 28.9 −7.9
Liberal David Chadwick 2,792 25.5 −7.3
Conservative William Eaton 2,750 25.1 +9.9
Conservative James Croston[51] 2,250 20.5 +5.3
Majority 42 0.4 −2.0
Turnout 5,483 (est) 88.1 (est) +7.4
Registered electors 6,224
Liberal hold Swing −8.9
Liberal hold Swing −6.3

Elections in the 1860s

General election 1868: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal William Brocklehurst 2,812 36.8 +2.3
Liberal David Chadwick 2,509 32.8 +1.9
Conservative William Eaton 2,321 30.4 −4.2
Majority 188 2.4 N/A
Turnout 3,821 (est) 80.7 (est) −16.4
Registered electors 4,737
Liberal hold Swing +2.2
Liberal gain from Conservative Swing +2.0
General election 1865: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Egerton 471 34.6 N/A
Liberal John Brocklehurst 469 34.5 N/A
Liberal David Chadwick 421 30.9 N/A
Majority 2 0.1 N/A
Turnout 916 (est) 97.1 (est) N/A
Registered electors 943
Conservative hold
Liberal hold

Elections in the 1850s

General election 1859: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Edward Egerton Unopposed
Liberal John Brocklehurst Unopposed
Registered electors 1,073
Conservative hold
Liberal hold
General election 1857: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig John Brocklehurst 637 53.0 +14.4
Conservative Edward Egerton 556 46.3 +13.7
Whig Thomas Huggins[52] 9 0.7 N/A
Turnout 601 (est) 54.3 (est) −22.5
Registered electors 1,106
Majority 81 6.7 +0.7
Whig hold Swing +0.4
Majority 547 45.6 +41.8
Conservative hold Swing −0.4
  • Huggins resigned towards the close of the poll.[53]
General election 1852: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig John Brocklehurst 628 38.6 −0.6
Conservative Edward Egerton 530 32.6 +4.6
Radical John Williams 468 28.8 −4.0
Turnout 813 (est) 76.8 (est) −3.9
Registered electors 1,058
Majority 98 6.0 −0.4
Whig hold Swing –1.5
Majority 62 3.8 N/A
Conservative gain from Radical Swing +3.3

Elections in the 1840s

General election 1847: Macclesfield[49]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig John Brocklehurst 598 39.2 −2.8
Radical John Williams 500 32.8 +7.1
Conservative Thomas Grimsditch 428 28.0 −4.3
Turnout 763 (est) 80.7 (est) +9.6
Registered electors 946
Majority 98 6.4 −3.3
Whig hold Swing −0.3
Majority 72 4.8 N/A
Radical gain from Conservative Swing +4.6
General election 1841: Macclesfield[49][21][54]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig John Brocklehurst 534 42.0 +0.3
Conservative Thomas Grimsditch 410 32.3 −3.7
Whig Samuel Stocks 327 25.7 +3.4
Turnout 636 (est) 71.1 (est) c. −7.3
Registered electors 894
Majority 124 9.7 +4.0
Whig hold Swing +1.1
Majority 83 6.6 −7.1
Conservative hold Swing −3.7

Elections in the 1830s

General election 1837: Macclesfield[49][21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Whig John Brocklehurst 546 41.7 +24.5
Conservative Thomas Grimsditch 471 36.0 −29.5
Whig Robert Hyde Greg 292 22.3 +5.1
Turnout 764 78.4 −0.5
Registered electors 975
Majority 75 5.7 −1.0
Whig hold Swing +19.6
Majority 179 13.7 +10.5
Conservative hold Swing −29.6
General election 1835: Macclesfield[49][21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative John Ryle (politician) 464 37.7 −4.7
Whig John Brocklehurst 424 34.5 −4.9
Conservative Thomas Grimsditch 342 27.8 +9.6
Turnout 706 78.9 −3.0
Registered electors 895
Majority 40 3.2 +0.2
Conservative hold Swing −1.1
Majority 82 6.7 −14.5
Whig hold Swing −4.9
General election 1832: Macclesfield[49][21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Tory John Ryle (politician) 433 42.4
Whig John Brocklehurst 402 39.4
Tory Thomas Grimsditch 186 18.2
Turnout 588 81.9
Registered electors 718
Majority 31 3.0
Tory win (new seat)
Majority 216 21.2
Whig win (new seat)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. ↑ As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.

References

  1. ↑ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  2. ↑ "Macclesfield". citypopulation.de. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Constituency data: Deprivation in England". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 "Seat Details - Macclesfield". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  5. ↑ "Constituency data: businesses and industries". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "Constituency dashboard". House of Commons Library. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  7. ↑ "2021 census results: Ethnic groups in your constituency". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
  8. ↑ Great Britain, Incorporated Council of Law Reporting for England and Wales. The public general acts. unknown library. Proprietors of the Law Journal Reports, 1884.
  9. ↑ Fraser, Hugh (1918). The Representation of the people act, 1918 : with explanatory notes. University of California Libraries. London : Sweet and Maxwell.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: publisher location (link)
  10. 1 2 Craig, Fred W. S. (1972). Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885–1972. Chichester: Political Reference Publications. ISBN 0-900178-09-4. OCLC 539011.
  11. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983" (PDF).
  12. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995".
  13. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007".
  14. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
  15. ↑ "National Rail Enquiries – Official source for UK train times and timetables". nationalrail.co.uk. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  16. ↑ Greer, Stuart (3 January 2017). "MP to back Brexit regardless of Supreme Court decision". Macclesfield Express. Retrieved 10 March 2019.
  17. ↑ "David Rutley adopted to succeed Sir Nicholas Winterton in Macclesfield". Conservative Home. 17 October 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2009.
  18. 1 2 3 Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "M" (part 1)
  19. ↑ Churton, Edward (1836). The Assembled Commons or Parliamentary Biographer: 1836. p. 75. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  20. ↑ "Macclesfield". Dublin Evening Post. 29 June 1841. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stooks Smith, Henry. (1973) [1844–1850]. Craig, F. W. S. (ed.). The Parliaments of England (2nd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. pp. 34–35. ISBN 0-900178-13-2.
  22. ↑ Slosson, Preston William (1967). The Decline of the Chartist Movement. London: Frank Cass & Co. p. 94. ISBN 0714611042. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  23. ↑ Dod, Charles Roger; Dod, Robert Phipps (1847). Dod's Parliamentary Companion, Volume 15. Dod's Parliamentary Companion. p. 254. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  24. ↑ "Election Intelligence". Manchester Times. 31 July 1847. p. 6. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  25. ↑ "Macclesfield Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  26. ↑ "Macclesfield – Results of the 4 July 2024 election". Cheshire East Borough Council.
  27. ↑ "Macclesfield Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  28. ↑ "Macclesfield parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
  29. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  30. ↑ "Macclesfield". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  31. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "Macclesfield Constituency". Archived from the original on 12 May 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  33. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  34. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  35. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  36. ↑ "1992 (Implied) Election Result". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Electoral Calculus. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
  37. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  38. ↑ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  39. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  40. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  41. ↑ "BBC/ITN NOTIONAL ELECTION 1979". election.demon.co.uk. BBC/ITN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2004. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  42. ↑ Michael Stead. "1970 notional general election & February 1974 general election". BBC. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  44. 1 2 3 British parliamentary election results, 1885–1918 (Craig)
  45. 1 2 3 4 5 6 British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS Craig
  46. 1 2 3 4 5 The Liberal Year Book, 1907
  47. 1 2 Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901
  48. ↑ Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886
  49. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Craig, F. W. S., ed. (1977). British Parliamentary Election Results 1832–1885 (1st ed.). London: Macmillan Press. ISBN 978-1-349-02349-3.
  50. ↑ "The General Election". Evening Standard. London. 31 March 1880. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 3 December 2017 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  51. ↑ "Macclesfield". Wigan Observer and District Advertiser. 21 March 1873. p. 8. Retrieved 6 January 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  52. ↑ "Macclesfield". Evening Mail. 27 March 1857. p. 7. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  53. ↑ "Macclesfield Nomination". Nairnshire Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Northern Counties. 1 April 1857. p. 2. Retrieved 24 May 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  54. ↑ "District News". Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser. 3 July 1841. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 25 November 2018 – via British Newspaper Archive.

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