Down memory lane
The boundary changes which have resulted in Cornwall gaining a sixth constituency have reminded me that the new Truro and Falmouth seat is in some ways a throwback to the early days of our Parliamentary democracy. From 1832 until 1950 it was known as Penryn and Falmouth, but included Truro and followed similar boundaries to today.
In 1945 the constituency elected Cornwall's first ever Labour MP, Evelyn Mansfield King. Unfortunately for Labour, the Boundary Commission abolished the constituency in 1950 and King promptly defected to the Conservatives. He was re-elected in South Dorset as a Tory in 1964. He continued his journey to the Right, eventually becoming a vice president of the Monday Club.
I'm ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio Devon’s Graham Smith, blogging on news, views and some fresh insights into West Country life, particularly the way government works locally and nationally.
Comment number 1.
At 9th Apr 2010, Charlotte MacKenzie wrote:Some of King's family live in Falmouth today. He moved to South Dorset to stand for Labour because it was nearer London, but was only elected after joining the Conservatives. Harold Hayman won the new seat, and held it for many years, having previously stood unsuccessfully for Labour in the old Camborne constituency.
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