Ashford (UK Parliament constituency)#Elections

The constituency includes all of the large town of Ashford, which is seeing significant housing expansionUK Polling Report http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/ashford/ and has a manufacturing and services employment base; and surrounding rural areas to the east, including the village of Wye. The seat previously included the town of Tenterden but, due to population growth in Ashford itself, the 2023 boundary review proposed that Tenterden be removed from the Ashford constituency and included in the new constituency of Weald of Kent.

Residents' health and wealth are in line with UK averages.Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Ashford

{{maplink|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Ashford (UK Parliament constituency) 2010}}|frame=yes|text=Map of boundaries 2010–2024}}1885–1918: The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Sessional Divisions of Ashford and Cranbrook, the corporate towns of Lydd and New Romney, and part of the Liberty of Romney Marsh.

1918–1950: The Municipal Boroughs of Lydd, New Romney, and Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of Cranbrook, East Ashford, Romney Marsh, Tenterden, and West Ashford.

1950–1974: The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of Cranbrook, East Ashford, Tenterden, and West Ashford.

1974–1983: The Municipal Borough of Tenterden, the Urban District of Ashford, and the Rural Districts of East Ashford, Tenterden, and West Ashford. Cranbrook Rural District was transferred to the new Royal Tunbridge Wells constituency.

1983–2010: The Borough of Ashford. The constituency boundaries remained unchanged from 1974.

2010–2024: The Borough of Ashford wards of Aylesford Green, Beaver, Biddenden, Bockhanger, Boughton Aluph and Eastwell, Bybrook, Charing, Downs North, Downs West, Godinton, Great Chart with Singleton North, Highfield, Isle of Oxney, Kennington, Little Burton Farm, Norman, North Willesborough, Park Farm North, Park Farm South, Rolvenden and Tenterden West, St Michael's, Singleton South, South Willesborough, Stanhope, Stour, Tenterden North, Tenterden South, Victoria, Washford, Weald Central, Weald East, Weald North, Weald South, and Wye.

2024–present:

Following the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

• The Borough of Ashford wards of: Aylesford & East Stour; Beaver; Bircholt; Bockhanger; Bybrook; Conningbrook & Little Burton Farm; Furley; Goat Lees; Godinton; Highfield; Kennington; Mersham, Sevington South with Finberry; Norman; Park Farm North; Park Farm South; Repton; Roman; Singleton East; Singleton West; Stanhope; Victoria; Washford; Willesborough; Wye with Hinxhill.
• The District of Folkestone and Hythe wards of: North Downs East; North Downs West.{{Cite web |title=The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1230/schedules/made |at=Schedule 1 Part 6 South East region}}

The bulk of the geographic area of the constituency, including the town of Tenterden, and comprising approximately 35% of the current electorate, was moved to the newly created constituency of Weald of Kent.{{Cite web |title=Boundary review 2023: Which seats will change in the UK? |date=20 March 2024 |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/boundary-review-2023-which-seats-will-change/ |last1=Baker |first1=Carl |last2=Johnston |first2=Neil }} To partly compensate, the two North Downs wards were transferred from Folkestone and Hythe.

Created under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, Ashford has been won by a Conservative at every election except that of 1929 when it was won by a Liberal, after that party's turn towards the left marked by the People's Budget in 1911, who won with a majority of less than 1% of the vote.

The most marginal victory since 1929 occurred in 1997 when its voters returned a Conservative who won by a 9.7% majority. The 2015 result made the seat the 106th safest of the Conservative Party's 331 seats by percentage of majority.{{cite web |url=http://www.ukpolitical.info/conservative-mps-elected-2015.htm |title=Conservative Members of Parliament 2015 |website=UK Political.info |access-date=2017-02-12 |archive-date=2017-06-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608170823/http://www.ukpolitical.info/conservative-mps-elected-2015.htm |url-status=live}}

In June 2016, an estimated 60% of local adults voting in the EU membership referendum chose to leave the European Union instead of to remain. This was matched in two January 2018 votes in Parliament by its MP.{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/10241/damian_green/ashford/divisions?policy=1065 |title = Damian Green MP, Ashford – TheyWorkForYou}}

The Conservatives lost the seat at the 2024 general election to Sojan Joseph of the Labour Party, the first time in the seat's history that it was won by Labour.

West Kent prior to 1885

File:Ashford Results 1900-2019.png

{{Election box begin|title=2024 general election: Ashford{{cite web|url=https://www.ashford.gov.uk/your-council/register-to-vote-and-elections/general-election-2024/ashford-parliamentary-constituency/ashford-statement-of-persons-nominated-and-notice-of-poll/|title=Ashford Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll|website=Ashford Borough Council|language=en-gb|access-date=7 June 2024}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Sojan Joseph

|votes = 15,262

|percentage = 32.5

|change = +8.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 13,483

|percentage = 28.7

|change = −30.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Reform UK

|candidate = Tristram Kennedy Harper

|votes = 10,141

|percentage = 21.6

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Mandy Rossi

|votes = 4,355

|percentage = 9.3

|change = +4.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adam Rowledge

|votes = 2,445

|percentage = 5.2

|change = −5.5

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Consensus

|candidate = James Ransley

|votes = 1,289

|percentage = 2.7

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 1,779

|percentage = 3.8

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 46,975

|percentage = 61.6

|change = −4.5

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 76,212

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Labour Party (UK)

|loser = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +19.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=2019 general election: Ashford{{Cite web|url=https://www.ashford.gov.uk/councillors-meetings-and-elections/elections-and-electoral-registration/elections/statement-of-persons-nominated-parliamentary-election-2019/|title=View the Statement or Persons Nominated as candidates for the Ashford constituency|website=Ashford Borough Council|language=en-gb|access-date=2019-11-14}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 37,270

|percentage = 62.1

|change = +3.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Dara Farrell

|votes = 13,241

|percentage = 22.0

|change = −7.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Gee-Turner

|votes = 6,048

|percentage = 10.1

|change = +4.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Mandy Rossi

|votes = 2,638

|percentage = 4.4

|change = +2.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Susannah De Sanvil

|votes = 862

|percentage = 1.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 24,029

|percentage = 40.1

|change = +10.9

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 60,059

|percentage = 67.1

|change = −1.4

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 89,553

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +5.4

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2017 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 35,318

|percentage = 59.0

|change = +6.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Sally Gathern

|votes = 17,840

|percentage = 29.8

|change = +11.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Gee-Turner

|votes = 3,101

|percentage = 5.2

|change = −0.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Gerald O'Brien

|votes = 2,218

|percentage = 3.7

|change = −15.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Mandy Rossi

|votes = 1,402

|percentage = 2.3

|change = −2.0

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 17,478

|percentage = 29.2

|change = −4.5

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 59,879

|percentage = 68.5

|change = +1.2

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 87,387

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −2.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2015 general election: Ashford{{cite web|title=Election Data 2015|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017112223/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2015.txt|archive-date=17 October 2015}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 30,094

|percentage = 52.5

|change = −1.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Gerald O'Brien

|votes = 10,798

|percentage = 18.8

|change = +14.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Brendan Chilton

|votes = 10,580

|percentage = 18.4

|change = +1.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Debbie Enever

|votes = 3,433

|percentage = 6.0

|change = −16.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Mandy Rossi

|votes = 2,467

|percentage = 4.3

|change = +2.5

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 19,296

|percentage = 33.7

|change = +2.4

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 57,372

|percentage = 67.3

|change = −0.6

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 85,177

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −8.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=2010 general election: Ashford{{Cite web|url=http://www.ashford.gov.uk/pdf/Statement%20of%20Perons%20Nominated%20and%20Notice%20of%20poll.pdf|title=Ashford.gov.uk}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 29,878

|percentage = 54.1

|change = +2.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Chris Took

|votes = 12,581

|percentage = 22.8

|change = +7.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Chris Clark

|votes = 9,204

|percentage = 16.7

|change = −9.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Jeffrey Elenor{{cite web |url=http://candidates.ukip.org/index.php?pg=show&eid=191 |title=UKIP: Ashford |publisher=UKIP |access-date=5 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413221210/http://candidates.ukip.org/index.php?pg=show&eid=191 |archive-date=13 April 2010 |url-status=dead }}

|votes = 2,508

|percentage = 4.5

|change = +1.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Steven Campkin

|votes = 1,014

|percentage = 1.8

|change = −1.6

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 17,297

|percentage = 31.3

|change = +5.6

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 55,185

|percentage = 67.9

|change = +2.5

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 81,271

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +2.3

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=2005 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 26,651

|percentage = 51.6

|change = +4.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Valerie Whitaker

|votes = 13,353

|percentage = 25.8

|change = −6.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Chris Took

|votes = 8,308

|percentage = 16.1

|change = +1.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Richard Boden

|votes = 1,753

|percentage = 3.4

|change = +0.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Bernard Stroud

|votes = 1,620

|percentage = 3.1

|change = +0.5

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 13,298

|percentage = 25.8

|change = +10.5

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 51,685

|percentage = 65.0

|change = +2.5

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 78,816

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +5.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=2001 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 22,739

|percentage = 47.4

|change = +6.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = John Adams

|votes = 15,380

|percentage = 32.1

|change = +0.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Keith Fitchett

|votes = 7,236

|percentage = 15.1

|change = −4.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Richard Boden

|votes = 1,353

|percentage = 2.8

|change = +1.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = David Waller

|votes = 1,229

|percentage = 2.6

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 7,359

|percentage = 15.3

|change = +5.6

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 47,937

|percentage = 62.5

|change = −11.7

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 76,699

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +3.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title= 1997 general election: Ashford{{cite web|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/388.htm|title=Politics Resources|date=1 May 1997|work=Election 1997|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=25 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811185111/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/constit/388.htm|archive-date=11 August 2011|url-status=dead}}C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies, p.120 (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Damian Green

|votes = 22,899

|percentage = 41.4

|change = −13.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = John Ennals

|votes = 17,554

|percentage = 31.7

|change = +11.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = John Williams

|votes = 10,901

|percentage = 19.7

|change = −4.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Referendum Party

|candidate = Christopher Cruden

|votes = 3,201

|percentage = 5.8

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Richard Boden

|votes = 660

|percentage = 1.2

|change = −0.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Natural Law Party

|candidate = Stephen Tyrell

|votes = 89

|percentage = 0.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 5,345

|percentage = 9.7

|change = −20.8

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 55,294

|percentage = 74.2

|change = −5.0

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 74,512

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −12.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1992 general election: Ashford{{cite web|url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm|title=Politics Resources|date=9 April 1992|work=Election 1992|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=6 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724020412/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/ge92index.htm|archive-date=24 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Keith Speed

|votes = 31,031

|percentage = 54.6

|change = −1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Christine Headley

|votes = 13,672

|percentage = 24.1

|change = −3.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Doreen Cameron

|votes = 11,365

|percentage = 20.0

|change = +5.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Charles Porter

|votes = 773

|percentage = 1.4

|change = −0.1

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 17,359

|percentage = 30.5

|change = +1.3

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 56,841

|percentage = 79.2

|change = +3.5

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 71,767

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +0.7

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1987 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Keith Speed

|votes = 29,978

|percentage = 56.5

|change = −0.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Social Democratic Party (UK)

|candidate = Neil Macmillan

|votes = 14,490

|percentage = 27.3

|change = −0.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Michael Wiggins

|votes = 7,775

|percentage = 14.7

|change = +1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party (UK)

|candidate = Charles Porter

|votes = 778

|percentage = 1.5

|change = +0.3

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 15,488

|percentage = 29.2

|change = +0.2

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 53,021

|percentage = 75.7

|change = +2.5

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 70,052

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1983 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Keith Speed

|votes = 27,230

|percentage = 56.8

|change = +1.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Social Democratic Party (UK)

|candidate = Jo Hawkes

|votes = 13,319

|percentage = 27.8

|change = +11.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Paul Lewis

|votes = 6,167

|percentage = 12.9

|change = −13.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Ecology Party (UK)

|candidate = Charles Porter

|votes = 569

|percentage = 1.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = National Labour

|candidate = J.W. King

|votes = 456

|percentage = 0.9

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = British National Party

|candidate = R.E. Lockwood

|votes = 195

|percentage = 0.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 13,911

|percentage = 29.0

|change = 0.0

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 47,936

|percentage = 73.2

|change = −3.5

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 65,442

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1979 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Keith Speed

|votes = 26,224

|percentage = 55.7

|change = +11.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = A.A. Gilbert

|votes = 12,586

|percentage = 26.7

|change = −3.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Alison Wainman

|votes = 7,631

|percentage = 16.2

|change = −9.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = National Front (UK)

|candidate = K.R. McKilliam

|votes = 678

|percentage = 1.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 13,638

|percentage = 29.0

|change = +15.2

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 47,119

|percentage = 76.7

|change = +2.2

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 61,460

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=October 1974 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Keith Speed

|votes = 19,294

|percentage = 44.3

|change = −1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = M.B. Jackson

|votes = 13,269

|percentage = 30.5

|change = +4.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Clive G. Dennis

|votes = 10,983

|percentage = 25.2

|change = −3.0

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 6,025

|percentage = 13.8

|change = −4.2

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 43,546

|percentage = 74.5

|change = −7.0

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 58,419

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=February 1974 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 21,773

|percentage = 46.2

|change = −6.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Clive G. Dennis

|votes = 13,314

|percentage = 28.2

|change = +11.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = M.B. Jackson

|votes = 12,077

|percentage = 25.6

|change = −5.4

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 8,459

|percentage = 18.0

|change = −8.0

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 47,164

|percentage = 81.5

|change = +9.0

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 57,875

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1970 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 26,649

|percentage = 54.8

|change = +4.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = John M. Bowyer

|votes = 14,037

|percentage = 28.9

|change = −2.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Frederick Charles Truman

|votes = 7,902

|percentage = 16.3

|change = −2.7

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 12,612

|percentage = 26.0

|change = +7.0

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 48,588

|percentage = 72.5

|change = −2.9

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 66,975

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +3.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1966 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 21,362

|percentage = 50.0

|change = +0.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Charles A. Thomas

|votes = 13,249

|percentage = 31.0

|change = +2.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = J. Gavin W. Peck

|votes = 8,121

|percentage = 19.0

|change = −3.4

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 8,113

|percentage = 19.0

|change = −2.2

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 42,732

|percentage = 75.4

|change = −2.1

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 56,669

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1964 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 21,026

|percentage = 49.4

|change = −13.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Charles A. Thomas

|votes = 11,989

|percentage = 28.2

|change = −8.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = J. Gavin W. Peck

|votes = 9,531

|percentage = 22.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 9,037

|percentage = 21.2

|change = −4.6

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 42,546

|percentage = 77.5

|change = 0.0

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 54,879

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1959 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 25,383

|percentage = 62.9

|change = +2.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Reginald Ward

|votes = 14,983

|percentage = 37.1

|change = −2.4

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 10,400

|percentage = 25.8

|change = +4.9

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 40,366

|percentage = 77.5

|change = −0.6

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 52,097

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1955 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 23,992

|percentage = 60.5

|change = +1.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Neville Sandelson

|votes = 15,685

|percentage = 39.5

|change = −1.4

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 8,307

|percentage = 20.9

|change = +2.6

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 39,677

|percentage = 78.1

|change = −3.8

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 50,821

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1951 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 24,093

|percentage = 59.1

|change = +7.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Neville Sandelson

|votes = 16,645

|percentage = 40.9

|change = +4.3

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 7,448

|percentage = 18.3

|change = +3.3

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 40,738

|percentage = 81.9

|change = −2.2

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 49,715

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1950 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Bill Deedes

|votes = 21,095

|percentage = 51.6

|change = −0.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Neville Sandelson

|votes = 14,948

|percentage = 36.6

|change = +1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = H. Shirley

|votes = 4,828

|percentage = 11.8

|change = −1,5

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 6,147

|percentage = 15.0

|change = −2.2

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 40,871

|percentage = 84.1

|change = +12.8

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 48,607

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=1945 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Edward Percy Smith

|votes = 18,800

|percentage = 52.0

|change = −7.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Horace Waterton Lee

|votes = 12,575

|percentage = 34.8

|change = +17.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Harold Vezey Strong

|votes = 4,804

|percentage = 13.3

|change = −9.9

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 6,225

|percentage = 17.2

|change = −18.8

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 36,179

|percentage = 71.3

|change = −2.3

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 50,760

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=1943 Ashford by-electionBritish Parliamentary Election Results 1918–1949, FWS Craig

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Edward Percy Smith

|votes = 9,648

|percentage = 69.7

|change = +10.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Common Wealth Party

|candidate = Catherine E. Williamson

|votes = 4,192

|percentage = 30.3

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 5,456

|percentage = 39.4

|change = +3.4

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 13,840

|percentage = 27.7

|change = −45.9

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=14 November 1935 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Patrick Spens

|votes = 21,323

|percentage = 59.2

|change = +0.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Borlase Matthews

|votes = 8,338

|percentage = 23.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = W.J. Beck

|votes = 6,333

|percentage = 17.6

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 12,985

|percentage = 36.0

|change = +18.6

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 35,994

|percentage = 73.6

|change = −2.3

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 48,914

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=1933 Ashford by-election:

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Patrick Spens

|votes = 16,051

|percentage = 47.7

|change = −11.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Roderick Kedward

|votes = 11,423

|percentage = 33.9

|change = −7.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = W.J. Beck

|votes = 6,178

|percentage = 18.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 4,628

|percentage = 13.8

|change = −3.6

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 33,652

|percentage = 70.9

|change = −5.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=27 October 1931 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Michael Knatchbull

|votes = 20,891

|percentage = 58.7

|change = +16.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = National Liberal Party (UK, 1931)

|candidate = Roderick Kedward

|votes = 14,681

|percentage = 41.3

|change = −4.7

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 6,210

|percentage = 17.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 35,572

|percentage = 75.9

|change = +0.6

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|loser = Liberal Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=30 May 1929 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Roderick Kedward

|votes = 15,753

|percentage = 46.0

|change = +24.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Unionist Party (UK)

|candidate = Samuel Strang Steel

|votes = 14,579

|percentage = 42.6

|change = −17.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Mont Follick

|votes = 3,885

|percentage = 11.4

|change = −6.4

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 1,174

|percentage = 3.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 34,217

|percentage = 75.3

|change = +4.9

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 45,445

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Liberal Party (UK)

|loser = Unionist Party (UK)

|swing = +21.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=29 October 1924 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Unionist Party (UK)

|candidate = Samuel Strang Steel

|votes = 15,159

|percentage = 60.4

|change = −1.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Leonard John Humphrey

|votes = 5,487

|percentage = 21.8

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Basil Noble

|votes = 4,473

|percentage = 17.8

|change = −20.1

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 9,672

|percentage = 38.6

|change = +14.4

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 25,119

|percentage = 70.4

|change = +12.6

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 35,659

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Unionist Party (UK)

|swing = +9.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=6 December 1923 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Unionist Party (UK)

|candidate = Samuel Strang Steel

|votes = 12,644

|percentage = 62.1

|change = −7.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Basil Noble

|votes = 7,709

|percentage = 37.9

|change = +7.0

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 4,935

|percentage = 24.2

|change = −14.0

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 20,353

|percentage = 57.8

|change = −6.4

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 35,223

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Unionist Party (UK)

|swing = +7.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=15 November 1922 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Unionist Party (UK)

|candidate = Samuel Strang Steel

|votes = 15,638

|percentage = 69.1

|change = −11.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Basil Noble

|votes = 6,977

|percentage = 30.9

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 8,661

|percentage = 38.2

|change = −23.8

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 22,615

|percentage = 64.2

|change = +25.0

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 35,240

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Unionist Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin | title=14 December 1918 general election: AshfordDebrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1922

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link coalition 1918

|party = Unionist Party (UK)

|candidate = Samuel Strang Steel

|votes = 10,258

|percentage = 81.0

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Independent Democrat

|candidate = William H. Deedes

|votes = 2,408

|percentage = 19.0

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 7,850

|percentage = 62.0

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 12,666

|percentage = 39.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 32,349

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Unionist Party (UK)

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box end 1918}}

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;

• Unionist: Lawrence Hardy
• Liberal: Arthur Frederick William JohnsonKent & Sussex Courier 27 Mar 1914

{{Election box begin|title=December 1910 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Laurence Hardy

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=January 1910 general election: AshfordDebrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1916

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Laurence Hardy

|votes = 7,966

|percentage = 64.3

|change = +12.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Reginald John Farrer

|votes = 4,422

|percentage = 35.7

|change = −12.7

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 3,544

|percentage = 28.6

|change = +25.4

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 12,418

|percentage = 87.2

|change = +3.5

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=1906 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Laurence Hardy

|votes = 5,994

|percentage = 51.6

|change = −20.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Percy Harris

|votes = 5,614

|percentage = 48.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 380

|percentage = 3.2

|change = −40.0

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 11,608

|percentage = 83.7

|change = +18.9

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 13,864

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=1900 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Laurence Hardy

|votes = 5,898

|percentage = 71.6

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate

|party = Independent Protestant

|candidate = Benjamin Nicholson

|votes = 2,343

|percentage = 28.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 3,555

|percentage = 43.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 8,241

|percentage = 64.8

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 12,714

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=1895 general election: AshfordDebrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1901

}}

{{Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Laurence Hardy

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

}}

{{Election box end}}

File:Laurence Hardy.jpg

{{Election box begin| title=1892 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Laurence Hardy

|votes = 5,512

|percentage = 56.3

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = John U Bugler

|votes = 4,281

|percentage = 43.7

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 1,231

|percentage = 12.6

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 9,793

|percentage = 68.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 14,314

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=1886 general election: Ashford

}}

{{Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = William Pomfret

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no swing

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin| title=1885 general election: AshfordBritish Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, FWS CraigThe Liberal Year Book, 1907Debrett's House of Commons & Judicial Bench, 1886

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = William Pomfret

|votes = 6,020

|percentage = 55.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = George Crispe Whiteley

|votes = 4,895

|percentage = 44.8

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 1,125

|percentage = 10.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 10,915

|percentage = 81.5

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 13,389

}}

{{Election box new seat win

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = N/A

}}

{{Election box end}}

• List of parliamentary constituencies in Kent
• List of parliamentary constituencies in the South East England (region)

{{Reflist|group=n}}

{{Reflist}}

• British Parliamentary Election Results 1885–1918, compiled and edited by F.W.S. Craig (Macmillan Press 1974)
• {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1929, 1931, 1935 | publisher=Politico's (reprint) | year=2003 | editor=Iain Dale | editor-link=Iain Dale | isbn=1-84275-033-X }}
• {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1945 | work=The Times | year=1945 }}
• {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1950 | work=The Times | year=1950 }}
• {{cite book | title=The Times House of Commons 1955 | work=The Times | year=1955 }}

• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/12896.html Ashford UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/65811.html Ashford UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/168752.html Ashford UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

{{Ashford}}

{{Constituencies in South East England}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord |51.15|0.93|display=title|scale:200000}}

Category:Parliamentary constituencies in Kent

Parliament

Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1885