Torbay (UK Parliament constituency)

1974–1983: The County Borough of Torbay.

1983–2010: The Borough of Torbay wards of Cockington with Chelston, Coverdale, Ellacombe, Preston, St Marychurch, St Michael's with Goodrington, Shiphay, Tormohun, and Torwood.

2010–2024: The Borough of Torbay wards of Clifton with Maidenway, Cockington with Chelston, Ellacombe, Goodrington with Roselands, Preston, Roundham with Hyde, St Marychurch, Shiphay with the Willows, Tormohun, Watcombe, and Wellswood.

2024–present: The Borough of Torbay wards of: Barton with Watcombe; Clifton with Maidenway; Cockington with Chelston; Ellacombe; Goodrington with Roselands; Preston; Roundham with Hyde; St. Marychurch; Shiphay; Tormohun; Wellswood.{{Cite web |title=The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1230/schedules/made |at=Schedule 1 Part 7 South West region}}

Minor changes following re-organisation of local authority wards.

The constituency covers the majority of the Torbay unitary authority in Devon, including the seaside resorts of Torquay and most of Paignton. The remainder of the borough is covered by the South Devon constituency.

{{maplink|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Torbay (UK Parliament constituency)}}|frame=yes|text=Map of current boundaries}}

;Political history

After being held for several Parliaments (taking together various predecessor areas) by Conservatives, from 1997 the seat was held by Liberal Democrats until 2015 when the Conservatives re-took it. It was captured once again by the Liberal Democrats at the 2024 general election.

;Prominent frontbenchers

Sir Frederic Bennett did not achieve his own ministry nationally, but he chaired in the European Parliament the European Democrats group.

Consisting almost entirely of coastal towns and villages, the constituency has a range of tourist facilities, and a few nearby luxury resorts. In November 2012, unemployment was 5%, compared to the national average of 3.8%.[https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/nov/17/unemployment-and-employment-statistics-economics Unemployment claimants by constituency] The Guardian

The seat is home to the Plainmoor football ground, home to Torquay United.

{{notelist}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2024: Torbay{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election/2024/uk/constituencies/E14001551|title=Torbay - General election results 2024|publisher=BBC News|access-date=21 March 2025}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|party=Liberal Democrats (UK)|candidate=Steve Darling|votes=18,937|percentage=41.1|change=+16.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Conservative Party (UK)|candidate=Kevin Foster|votes=13,588|percentage=29.5|change=

−29.6}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Reform UK|candidate=Gordon Scott|votes=8,660|percentage=18.8|change=N/A}}{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Labour Party (UK)|candidate=Chris Wongsosaputro|votes=3,276|percentage=7.1|change=−5.9}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Green Party of England and Wales|candidate=Charlie West|votes=1,420|percentage=3.1|change=+0.7}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|party=Workers Party of Britain|candidate=Paul Moor|votes=234|percentage=0.5|change=N/A}}

{{Election box majority|votes=5,349|percentage=11.6|change=N/A}}

{{Election box turnout|votes=46,115|percentage=60.5|change=−6.8}}

{{Election box registered electors

|reg. electors = 76,179

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|loser = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +23.3

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|

|title=General election 2019: Torbay{{Cite web|url=https://www.torbay.gov.uk/council/voting-and-elections/elections/parliamentary/|title=Parliamentary elections|publisher = Torbay Council|language=en|access-date=2019-11-16}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Kevin Foster

|votes = 29,863

|percentage = 59.2

|change = +6.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Lee Howgate

|votes = 12,114

|percentage = 24.0

|change = −1.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Michele Middleditch

|votes = 6,562

|percentage = 13.0

|change = −5.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Sam Moss

|votes = 1,239

|percentage = 2.5

|change = +1.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent politician

|candidate = James Channer

|votes = 648

|percentage = 1.3

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 17,749

|percentage = 35.2

|change = +7.3

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 50,426

|percentage = 67.2

|change = −0.2

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

| winner = Conservative Party (UK)

| swing = +3.65

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=General election 2017: Torbay{{cite news |url=http://www.devonlive.com/devon-general-election-candidates-2017/story-30327104-detail/story.html |title=2017 general election candidates in Devon |work=Devon Live |date=11 May 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511193850/http://www.devonlive.com/devon-general-election-candidates-2017/story-30327104-detail/story.html |archive-date=11 May 2017 }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Kevin Foster

|votes = 27,141

|percentage = 53.0

|change = +12.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Deborah Brewer

|votes = 12,858

|percentage = 25.1

|change = −8.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Paul Raybould

|votes = 9,310

|percentage = 18.2

|change = +9.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Tony McIntyre

|votes = 1,213

|percentage = 2.4

|change = −11.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Sam Moss

|votes = 652

|percentage = 1.3

|change = −1.9

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 14,283

|percentage = 27.9

|change = +21.0

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 51,174

|percentage = 67.4

|change = +4.4

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +10.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{See also|Opinion polling in United Kingdom constituencies, 2010–15#Torbay}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 2015: Torbay{{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}}{{Cite web|url=http://geo.digiminster.com/election/2015-05-07/results/Location/Constituency/Torbay|title=Torbay – 2015 Election Results – General Elections Online|website=geo.digiminster.com|language=en|access-date=22 June 2018}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Kevin Foster

|votes = 19,551

|percentage = 40.7

|change = +2.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Sanders

|votes = 16,265

|percentage = 33.8

|change = −13.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Anthony McIntyre

|votes = 6,540

|percentage = 13.6

|change = +8.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Su Maddock

|votes = 4,166

|percentage = 8.7

|change = +2.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Paula Hermes

|votes = 1,557

|percentage = 3.2

|change = +2.2

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 3,286

|percentage = 6.9

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 48,079

|percentage = 63.0

|change = −1.6

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|loser = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|swing = +7.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 2010: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 2010|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726162034/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2010.txt|archive-date=26 July 2013 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.torbay.gov.uk/torbay-election-notice.doc|title=Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll: Torbay|publisher=Torbay Borough Council|date=21 April 2010|access-date=25 April 2010}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/e74.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=BBC NEWS – Election 2010 – Torbay}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Sanders

|votes = 23,126

|percentage = 47.0

|change = +5.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Marcus Wood

|votes = 19,048

|percentage = 38.7

|change = +2.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = David Pedrick-Friend

|votes = 3,231

|percentage = 6.6

|change = −7.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Julien Parrott

|votes = 2,628

|percentage = 5.3

|change = −2.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = British National Party

|candidate = Ann Conway

|votes = 709

|percentage = 1.4

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Sam Moss

|votes = 468

|percentage = 1.0

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 4,078

|percentage = 8.3

|change = +4.0

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 49,210

|percentage = 64.6

|change = +4.4

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|swing = +1.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 2005: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 2005|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054249/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2005ob.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Sanders

|votes = 19,317

|percentage = 40.8

|change = −9.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Marcus Wood

|votes = 17,288

|percentage = 36.5

|change = +0.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = David Pedrick-Friend

|votes = 6,972

|percentage = 14.7

|change = +5.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Graham Booth

|votes = 3,726

|percentage = 7.9

|change = +4.7

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 2,029

|percentage = 4.3

|change = −9.8

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 47,303

|percentage = 61.9

|change = −0.6

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|swing = −4.9

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 2001: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 2001|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054450/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_2001ob.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Sanders

|votes = 24,015

|percentage = 50.5

|change = +10.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Christian Sweeting

|votes = 17,307

|percentage = 36.4

|change = −3.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = John MacKay

|votes = 4,484

|percentage = 9.4

|change = −5.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Graham Booth

|votes = 1,512

|percentage = 3.2

|change = −0.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Pam Neale

|votes = 251

|percentage = 0.5

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 6,708

|percentage = 14.1

|change = +14.0

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 47,569

|percentage = 62.5

|change = −11.3

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|swing = +7.05

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 1997: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 1997|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054424/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1997.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Sanders

|votes = 21,094

|percentage = 39.6

|change = −0.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Rupert Allason

|votes = 21,082

|percentage = 39.5

|change = −10.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Michael Morey

|votes = 7,923

|percentage = 14.9

|change = +5.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Graham Booth

|votes = 1,962

|percentage = 3.7

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Party (UK, 1989)

|candidate = Bruce Cowling

|votes = 1,161

|percentage = 2.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Vote For Yourself Rainbow Dream Ticket

|candidate = Paul Wild

|votes = 100

|percentage = 0.2

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 12

|percentage = 0.1

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 53,322

|percentage = 73.8

|change = −6.8

}}

{{Election box gain with party link|

|winner = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|loser = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +5.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

The 12 vote majority in Torbay was originally the second smallest in any of the 659 constituencies contested at the 1997 general election, with only the Liberal Democrats' majority of 2 in Winchester being smaller. However the Winchester result was subsequently challenged and declared void resulting in a by-election.{{cite book |title=The Times Guide to the House of Commons 1997 |date=1997 |publisher=Times Books |location=London |isbn=0-7230-0956-2 |page=299}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 1992: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 1992|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1992ob.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054418/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1992ob.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}{{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}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Rupert Allason

|votes = 28,624

|percentage = 49.9

|change = −4.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Sanders

|votes = 22,837

|percentage = 39.8

|change = +2.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Peter Truscott

|votes = 5,503

|percentage = 9.6

|change = +1.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = National Front (UK)

|candidate = Robert Jones

|votes = 268

|percentage = 0.5

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Natural Law Party

|candidate = Alison Thomas

|votes = 157

|percentage = 0.3

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 5,787

|percentage = 10.1

|change = −6.3

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 57,389

|percentage = 80.6

|change = +4.2

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −3.2

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 1987: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 1987|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1987.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054243/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1987.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}{{cite web|

url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge87/ge87index.htm|title=Politics Resources|work=Election 1987|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=16 November 2011}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Rupert Allason

|votes = 29,029

|percentage = 54.0

|change = +1.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Nicholas Bye

|votes = 20,209

|percentage = 37.6

|change = −1.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Gerald Taylor

|votes = 4,538

|percentage = 8.4

|change = +1.2

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 8,820

|percentage = 16.4

|change = +3.0

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 53,776

|percentage = 76.4

|change = +3.8

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +1.4

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 1983: Torbay{{cite web|title=Election Data 1983|url=http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1983.txt|publisher=Electoral Calculus|access-date=18 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015054231/http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/electdata_1983.txt|archive-date=15 October 2011}}{{cite web|

url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge83/ge83index.htm|title=Politics Resources|work=Election 1983|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=16 November 2011}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Frederic Bennett

|votes = 25,721

|percentage = 52.6

|change = −1.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Michael Mitchell

|votes = 19,166

|percentage = 39.2

|change = +16.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Philip Rackley

|votes = 3,521

|percentage = 7.2

|change = −12.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Independent (politician)

|candidate = Anne Murray

|votes = 500

|percentage = 1.0

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 6,555

|percentage = 13.4

|change = −18.2

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 48,908

|percentage = 72.6

|change = −2.5

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +8.8

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election 1979: Torbay}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Frederic Bennett

|votes = 36,099

|percentage = 54.1

|change = +5.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Michael Mitchell

|votes = 15,231

|percentage = 23.1

|change = −5.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Elaine Fear

|votes = 12,919

|percentage = 19.6

|change = −3.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Ecology Party (UK)

|candidate = David Abrahams

|votes = 1,161

|percentage = 1.8

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = National Front (UK)

|candidate = June Spry

|votes = 647

|percentage = 1.0

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 20,868

|percentage = 31.0

|change = +11.1

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 66,057

|percentage = 75.1

|change = +2.2

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +5.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election October 1974: Torbay}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Frederic Bennett

|votes = 30,208

|percentage = 48.4

|change = −0.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = John Goss

|votes = 17,770

|percentage = 28.5

|change = −1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Jack Tench

|votes = 14,441

|percentage = 23.1

|change = +2.0

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 12,438

|percentage = 19.9

|change = +1.7

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 62,419

|percentage = 72.9

|change = −7.4

}}

{{Election box hold with party link|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −1.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |

|title=General election February 1974: Torbay}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link|

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Frederic Bennett

|votes = 33,163

|percentage = 48.6

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Liberal Party (UK)

|candidate = Bridget Trethewey

|votes = 20,755

|percentage = 30.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Jack Tench

|votes = 14,389

|percentage = 21.1

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority|

|votes = 12,408

|percentage = 18.2

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout|

|votes = 68,307

|percentage = 80.3

|change =

}}

{{Election box new seat win|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

}}

{{Election box end}}

• List of parliamentary constituencies in Devon

{{Reflist|group=n}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/13417.html Torbay UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/65692.html Torbay UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/168817.html Torbay UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

{{Constituencies in South West England}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|50.460|-3.538|display=title|region:GB_scale:100000}}

Category:Parliamentary constituencies in Devon

Category:Torbay

Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1974