Waveney (UK Parliament constituency)

The seat was based around the coastal town of Lowestoft and included several smaller market towns and seaside resorts in northeast Suffolk. Electoral Calculus described the seat as a "Somewhere", characterised by older, less educated voters and support for Brexit.Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Waveney

Lowestoft was generally Labour-voting, because of its recent history as a declining seaside resort, fishing and industrial town.{{citation needed|date=November 2021}} However, the constituency also includes the small towns of Beccles and Bungay. The Green Party overtook the Conservatives in the overlapping East Suffolk Council in 2023 for the first time.

This corner of Suffolk arguably has stronger connections with Norfolk{{citation needed|date=September 2022}} – Norwich is an easier centre to reach than Ipswich – and there have been unsuccessful proposals to alter the county boundary to reflect this{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}.

The seat was created for the 1983 general election following the implementation of the third periodic review of Westminster constituencies, broadly replacing Lowestoft, which the first victor of the new seat had served since 1959.

Waveney was a bellwether since its creation, swinging heavily in line with the mood of the nation. Labour's big majority in 1997 reflected the large overall majority in the Commons, and by the 2010 election it had become touted by one published analysis as the seat that the Conservatives needed to win to secure an overall majority.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}} Fittingly, 2010 saw a marginal majority and the national result was a hung parliament with the Conservative Party the largest party. 2010 here was the Labour Party's second highest share of the vote in the narrow, traditional grouping of East Anglia (Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex).

Waveney had been held for many years by James Prior, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1970–1972), Leader of the House of Commons{{#tag:ref|and Lord President of the Council|group=n}} (1972–1974), Secretary of State for Employment (1979–1981), then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during the Thatcher ministry, with an economic politics considered more centre-ground, then known as forming the wets' ideology.

Bob Blizzard served as a senior Government Whip from 2008 until 2010 when he lost at the election that May.

1983–1997

• The District of Waveney.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1983/417/contents/made/data.htm|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2019-03-22}}

The constituency was formed from the abolished constituency of Lowestoft, with the exception of a small part in the north which was now part of Norfolk.{{maplink|raw={{Wikipedia:Map data/Waveney (UK Parliament constituency)}}|frame=yes|text=Map of boundaries 2010-2024}}1997–2010

• The District of Waveney except the wards of Blything, Halesworth, and Southwold.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1995/1626/made/data.htm|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-03-22}}

Three wards transferred to Suffolk Coastal.

2010–2024

• The District of Waveney wards of Beccles North, Beccles South, Bungay, Carlton, Carlton Colville, Gunton and Corton, Harbour, Kessingland, Kirkley, Lothingland, Normanston, Oulton, Oulton Broad, Pakefield, St Margaret's, The Saints, Wainford, Whitton, and Worlingham.{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2007/1681/made/data.htm|title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007|website=www.legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2019-03-22}}

Marginal changes due to revision of local authority wards.

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2019: Waveney{{cite news |title=Waveney Parliamentary constituency |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001022 |website=BBC News |publisher=BBC |access-date=19 November 2019}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Peter Aldous

|votes = 31,778

|percentage = 62.2

|change = +7.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Sonia Barker

|votes = 13,776

|percentage = 26.9

|change = -10.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw

|votes = 2,727

|percentage = 5.3

|change = +2.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Helen Korfanty

|votes = 2,603

|percentage = 5.1

|change = +3.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Christian Peoples Alliance

|candidate = Dave Brennan

|votes = 245

|percentage = 0.5

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 18,002

|percentage = 35.3

|change = +17.8

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 51,129

|percentage = 61.8

|change = -3.4

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +8.9

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin |title=General election 2017: Waveney{{cite web

| title = Statement of persons nominated, notice of poll and situation of polling stations

| url = http://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/assets/Elections/Election-notices-WDC/2017/Parliamentary-General-Election/Statement-of-Persons-Nominated-Notice-of-Poll.pdf

| publisher = Waveney District Council

| date = 11 May 2017

| access-date = 6 June 2017}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Peter Aldous

|votes = 28,643

|percentage = 54.4

|change = +12.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Sonia Barker

|votes = 19,428

|percentage = 36.9

|change = −0.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Bert Poole

|votes = 1,933

|percentage = 3.7

|change = −10.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Elfrede Brambley-Crawshaw

|votes = 1,332

|percentage = 2.5

|change = −0.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Jacky Howe

|votes = 1,012

|percentage = 1.9

|change = −0.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent politician

|candidate = Allyson Barron

|votes = 326

|percentage = 0.6

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 9,215

|percentage = 17.5

|change = +12.9

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 52,674

|percentage = 65.2

|change = +0.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +6.5

}}

{{Election box end}}

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

{{Election box begin |title=General election 2015: Waveney{{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 = Peter Aldous

|votes = 22,104

|percentage = 42.3

|change = +2.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Bob Blizzard

|votes = 19,696

|percentage = 37.7

|change = −1.0

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Simon Tobin

|votes = 7,580

|percentage = 14.5

|change = +9.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Graham Elliott

|votes = 1,761

|percentage = 3.4

|change = +1.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Stephen Gordon

|votes = 1,055

|percentage = 2.0

|change = −11.3

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 2,408

|percentage = 4.6

|change = +3.1

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 52,196

|percentage = 65.1

|change = 0.0

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +1.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2010: Waveney{{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 }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Peter Aldous

|votes = 20,571

|percentage = 40.2

|change = +6.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Bob Blizzard

|votes = 19,802

|percentage = 38.7

|change = −6.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Alan Dean

|votes = 6,811

|percentage = 13.3

|change = −1.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Jack Tyler

|votes = 2,684

|percentage = 5.2

|change = +1.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Graham Elliott

|votes = 1,167

|percentage = 2.3

|change = −0.1

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = None of the above

|candidate = Louis Barfe

|votes = 106

|percentage = 0.2

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 769

|percentage = 1.5

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 51,141

|percentage = 65.1

|change = +1.5

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|loser = Labour Party (UK)

|swing = +6.8

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2005: Waveney{{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 = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Bob Blizzard

|votes = 22,505

|percentage = 45.3

|change = −5.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Peter Aldous

|votes = 16,590

|percentage = 33.4

|change = +0.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Nick Bromley

|votes = 7,497

|percentage = 15.1

|change = +3.7

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Brian Aylett

|votes = 1,861

|percentage = 3.7

|change = +1.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Graham Elliott

|votes = 1,200

|percentage = 2.4

|change = +0.3

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 5,915

|percentage = 11.9

|change = −6.2

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 49,653

|percentage = 64.4

|change = +3.6

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Labour Party (UK)

|swing = −3.1

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 2001: Waveney{{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 = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Bob Blizzard

|votes = 23,914

|percentage = 50.7

|change = −5.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Lee Scott

|votes = 15,361

|percentage = 32.6

|change = −1.9

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = David Young

|votes = 5,370

|percentage = 11.4

|change = +2.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = UK Independence Party

|candidate = Bryan Aylett

|votes = 1,097

|percentage = 2.3

|change = New

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Green Party of England and Wales

|candidate = Graham Elliott

|votes = 983

|percentage = 2.1

|change = New

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Socialist Alliance (England)

|candidate = Rupert Mallin

|votes = 442

|percentage = 0.9

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 8,553

|percentage = 18.1

|change = −3.4

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 47,167

|percentage = 60.8

|change = −13.9

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Labour Party (UK)

|swing = −1.7

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 1997: Waveney{{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 = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Bob Blizzard

|votes = 31,486

|percentage = 56.0

|change = +16.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = David Porter

|votes = 19,393

|percentage = 34.5

|change = −12.5

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Christopher Thomas

|votes = 5,054

|percentage = 9.0

|change = −3.8

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Independent politician

|candidate = Neil Clark

|votes = 318

|percentage = 0.6

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 12,093

|percentage = 21.5

|change = N/A

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 56,251

|percentage = 74.7

|change = −7.1

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Labour Party (UK)

|loser = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = +15.6

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 1992: Waveney{{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=2010-12-06}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = David Porter

|votes = 33,174

|percentage = 48.2

|change = −0.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Ezra Leverett

|votes = 26,472

|percentage = 38.4

|change = +8.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Liberal Democrats (UK)

|candidate = Adrian Rogers

|votes = 8,925

|percentage = 13.0

|change = −8.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Natural Law Party

|candidate = David Hook

|votes = 302

|percentage = 0.4

|change = New

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 6,702

|percentage = 9.8

|change = −8.4

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 68,873

|percentage = 81.8

|change = +3.4

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −4.3

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 1987: Waveney{{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}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = David Porter

|votes = 31,067

|percentage = 48.4

|change = −3.4

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Jack Lark

|votes = 19,284

|percentage = 30.0

|change = +2.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Social Democratic Party (UK)

|candidate = David Beavan

|votes = 13,845

|percentage = 21.6

|change = +0.7

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 11,783

|percentage = 18.4

|change = −6.0

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 81,889

|percentage = 78.4

|change = +3.1

}}

{{Election box hold with party link

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

|swing = −3.0

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin|title=General election 1983: Waveney{{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}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Conservative Party (UK)

|candidate = Jim Prior

|votes = 30,371

|percentage = 51.8

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Labour Party (UK)

|candidate = Jack Lark

|votes = 16,073

|percentage = 27.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Social Democratic Party (UK)

|candidate = Gillian Artis

|votes = 12,234

|percentage = 20.9

|change =

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 14,298

|percentage = 24.4

|change =

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 77,960

|percentage = 75.3

|change =

}}

{{Election box new seat win|

|winner = Conservative Party (UK)

}}

{{Election box end}}

• List of parliamentary constituencies in Suffolk

{{Reflist|group=n}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/13445.html Waveney UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
• [https://mapit.mysociety.org/area/66004.html Waveney UK Parliament constituency] (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK

{{East Suffolk}}

{{Constituencies in the East of England}}

{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|52.4|1.5|type:adm2nd_dim:35000_region:GB-SFK|display=title}}

Category:Lowestoft

Category:Parliamentary constituencies in Suffolk (historic)

Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1983

Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom disestablished in 2024

Category:Waveney District