1918–1950: The Boroughs of Lichfield and Tamworth, the Urban Districts of Perry Bar and Rugeley, the Rural District of Lichfield, and parts of the Rural Districts of Tamworth and Walsall. 1997–2010: The District of Lichfield wards of All Saints, Alrewas, Armitage with Handsacre, Boney Hay, Central, Chadsmead, Chase Terrace, Chasetown, Colton and Ridwares, Curborough, Hammerwich, Highfield, King’s Bromley, Leomansley, Longdon, Redslade, St John's, Stowe, Summerfield, and Whittington, and the Borough of East Staffordshire wards of Bagots and Yoxall. 2010–present: The District of Lichfield wards of All Saints, Alrewas and Fradley, Armitage with Handsacre, Boley Park, Boney Hay, Burntwood Central, Chadsmead, Chase Terrace, Chasetown, Colton and Mavesyn Ridware, Curborough, Hammerwich, Highfield, King’s Bromley, Leomansley, Longdon, St John’s, Stowe, Summerfield, and Whittington, and the Borough of East Staffordshire wards of Bagots, Needwood, and Yoxall. The constituency includes the northern and central parts of the Lichfield local government district, including the cathedral city of Lichfield itself, Burntwood, and also the south-western portion of East Staffordshire district, including Yoxall, Barton-under-Needwood, and Abbots Bromley.
History
The city was represented at most parliaments between 1305, in 1327 and again in 1353, but it then ceased to be represented until the mid 16th century, from when it sent two burgesses as members to Parliament until 1664, when representation was temporarily reduced to one member during The Protectorate, and again in 1868, when representation was permanently reduced to one. The constituency was abolished in 1950 but reconstituted, still as a single-member constituency, in 1997.
Constituency profile
This area has very little dependence on social housing and has low unemployment compared to other areas. In 2010 Michael Fabricant obtained the 52nd highest Conservative share of the vote, out of 650 seats, although in 1997 it was only held by a majority of 238 votes. In 2010 The Guardian described the constituency as a "pleasant cathedral city on border of West Midlands and the Potteries."
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 the July 1914, the following candidates had been selected;
Paget was appointed Chief Equerry and Clerk Marshal to Queen Victoria, requiring a by-election. Anson succeeded to the peerage, becoming 2nd Earl of Lichfield, causing a by-election. Cavendish resigned, causing a by-election. Paget was appointed Chief Equerry and Clerk Marshal to Queen Victoria, requiring a by-election.
