Exeter ( ) is a constituency composed of the cathedral city and county town of Devon represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Steve Race of the Labour Party.
The Exeter constituency is located in Devon and covers most of the city of Exeter excluding some of its eastern suburbs. Exeter is a historic cathedral city with origins in the Roman period. It is home to the University of Exeter, which has around 30,000 students. The city is an important centre of employment with many commuters from nearby towns. The constituency has average levels of deprivation; the suburb of Pennsylvania near the university is affluent whilst the area around Wonford is more deprived. House prices are slightly below the national average.
In general, residents of the constituency are young and well-educated. Levels of professional employment and household income are similar to national averages. White people made up 89% of the population at the 2021 census. At the city council, most of Exeter's suburbs are represented by the Labour Party with Green Party councillors elected in the city centre. At the county council, the suburbs are instead mostly represented by Reform UK. An estimated 57% of voters in the constituency supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum compared to 48% nationwide.
The constituency existed continuously as a parliamentary borough/borough constituency, electing two MPs from 1295 (the Model Parliament) until 1885, when its representation was reduced to one MP by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885.
The constituency has had a history of representatives from 1900 of Conservative, Liberal Party, Independent and Labour representation. Since 1997, it has been held by the Labour Party, which currently has a majority of over 10,000, suggesting this is a safe seat for the party.
1918âÂÂ1950: The County Borough of Exeter.
1950âÂÂ1974: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1974âÂÂ1983: As prior but with redrawn boundaries.
1983âÂÂ2010: The City of Exeter.
2010âÂÂ2024: The City of Exeter wards of Alphington, Cowick, Duryard, Exwick, Heavitree, Mincinglake, Newtown, Pennsylvania, Pinhoe, Polsloe, Priory, St David's, St James, St Leonard's, St Thomas, and Whipton and Barton.
2024âÂÂpresent: The following wards of the City of Exeter (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
The constituency currently covers most of the city of Exeter in Devon. It covered the entire city until 2010, when, under the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which increased the number of seats in the county from 11 to 12, two wards of the City of Exeter (St Loyes and Topsham) were transferred to the neighbouring East Devon constituency.
The 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies concluded that the electoral wards of Pinhoe, St Loyes and Topsham (which incorporates part of the Countess Wear area) would be included in the new constituency of Exmouth and Exeter East.
Two members
General Election 1939âÂÂ40: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected;
Upon petition, this election was subject to a recount due to the closeness of the results. On the first count, St. Maur led with 4,786 votes to Duke's 4,782. On a second count, St. Maur again led with 4,782 votes to Duke's 4,778. Closer scrutiny led to the above count, allowing Duke to retain the seat.
General Election 1914âÂÂ15:
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;
Duke is appointed Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, prompting a by-election.
Duke is appointed Lord Justice of Appeal and resigns, prompting a by-election.
Coleridge was appointed Solicitor General for England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Coleridge resigned after being appointed Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas
Follett was appointed Solicitor General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Follett was appointed Attorney General of England and Wales, requiring a by-election.
Follett's death caused a by-election.
Divett's death caused a by-election.