Londonderry City (UK Parliament constituency)


Londonderry City was a parliamentary constituency in Ireland. It returned one Member of Parliament to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, elected by the first past the post voting system.

Boundaries and Boundary Changes

This constituency was the parliamentary borough of Londonderry in County Londonderry.
It was an original constituency represented in the first UK Parliament when the Acts of Union 1800 took effect on 1 January 1801, inheriting the boundaries and franchise of the Londonderry City constituency of the abolished Irish House of Commons. In 1922 it was combined with North Londonderry and South Londonderry, to form the Londonderry county constituency.

Politics

After the extension of the franchise in 1885, the constituency was one of the most marginal seats in Ireland. There were many close elections.
Sinn Féin won in 1918. The MP was also returned by National University of Ireland. As MacNeill did not take his seat in the United Kingdom House of Commons he could not choose which constituency he would represent and arrange a by-election in the other. He played an active role in the First Dáil and in the government it set up.

Members of Parliament

Elections

The elections in this constituency took place using the first past the post electoral system.

Elections in the 1830s

On petition, Ferguson's election was declared void, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1840s

Elections in the 1850s

Elections in the 1860s

Ferguson's death caused a by-election.

Elections in the 1870s

Dowse was appointed Solicitor-General for Ireland, requiring a by-election.
Dowse resigned after being appointed Chief Baron of the Irish Exchequer, causing a by-election.

Elections in the 1880s

On petition, Lewis was unseated. McCarthy was named as MP on 25 October.

Elections in the 1890s

Knox resigns, triggering a by-election.

Elections in the 1900s

Hamilton is appointed Treasurer of the Household, prompting a by-election in which he stood unopposed.

Elections in the 1910s

Hamilton becomes Duke of Abercorn, prompting a by-election.
Hogg's death prompts another by-election.