The constituency has been held by
Labour since 1997.
The
Labour Party currently has a majority of over 10,000, suggesting this is a safe seat for the party.
Constituency profile
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adding to it. (May 2020)
The constituency covers the majority of the city, including the
University and the
Met Office which are significant employers.[4] As of 2022[update], median gross weekly in pay for full-time workers is below the figure for Great Britain as a whole but above that for
South West England. Median hourly pay, however, is below that for both the region and for Great Britain. There are a large number of students for a small city.[5]
Boundaries
Map of present boundaries
1918–1950: The County Borough of Exeter.
1950–1974: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1974–1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1983–2010: The City of Exeter.
2010–present: The City of Exeter wards of Alphington, Cowick, Duryard, Exwick, Heavitree, Mincinglake, Newtown, Pennsylvania, Pinhoe, Polsloe, Priory, St David's, St James, St Leonard's, St Thomas, and Whipton and Barton.
The constituency covers most of the city of
Exeter in
Devon. It covered the entire city from 1918 until 2010, when, under the
Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which increased the number of seats in the county from 11 to 12, two
wards of the City of Exeter (St Loyes and Topsham) were transferred to the neighbouring
East Devon constituency.[6]
The City of Exeter wards of: Alphington; Duryard & St. James; Exwick; Heavitree; Mincinglake & Whipton; Newtown & St. Leonard’s; Pennsylvania; Priory; St. David’s; St. Thomas.[7]
After adjustments to align with revised ward boundaries, the Pinhoe ward was transferred to the new constituency of
Exmouth and Exeter East, in order to bring the electorate within the permitted range.
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 and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;
Upon petition, this election was subject to a recount due to the closeness of the results. On the first count, St. Maur led with 4,786 votes to Duke's 4,782. On a second count, St. Maur again led with 4,782 votes to Duke's 4,778. Closer scrutiny led to the above count, allowing Duke to retain the seat.
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;
^
abAt the December 1910 election,
Harold St Maur was declared the winner by 4 votes, and the same majority was recorded after a recount. However, an electoral petition was decided on April 11, 1911, at which
Henry Duke was declared the winner by 1 vote ( "Exeter Election Petition— Sensational Finish: Liberals Lose the Seat by a Majority of One", Staffordshire Sentinel, April 11, 1977, p. 1)
^Morgan, Bryn (29 March 2001).
"General Election results, 1 May 1997"(PDF). Social & General Statistics Section, House of Commons Library. Archived from
the original(PDF) on 4 December 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
^The Returning Officer gave Dunwoody 22,189 when announcing the result on the night. This was broadcast on the BBC election Night coverage
^Report of the Annual Conference of the Labour Party, 1939
^
abcdeCraig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services.
ISBN0-900178-06-X.