Parliamentary constituency boundaries have recently changed.  Member Keith Kaye decided this was a good time to remind Augustinians of the history of Bridlington’s parliamentary representation covering the years from 1832 to the present. He included biographies of all our Members of Parliament over this period and some interesting facts about them and their influence on the town’s history.

Keith showed how some MP’s who lived outside the constituency bought land within it to show allegiance. Some played an active role in the House of Commons but others were silent.

Sir Luke White died in 1920 bankrupt and in a workhouse.  Richard Wood was tipped to be Prime Minister but countered this idea by saying, “Some of my friends have ideas above my station”.  Greg Knight got the nickname “Silent Knight” through his reluctance to debate when standing for the Derby constituency, but has held many government posts whilst representing Bridlington.

The name and boundaries of our constituency have changed over the years. Keith showed how the mention of Bridlington in Hansard, the official record of debates in the House of Commons, increased markedly from 1950 onwards when the name Buckrose was dropped and the name Bridlington appeared in the title of the constituency.

The Vote of thanks was given by Gill Pudsey.