About Parliamentary Elections  

The House of Commons consists of 646 Members (MPs). Each member represents a parliamentary constituency, which is a geographical area. There are 529 constituencies in England, 40 in Wales, 59 in Scotland and 18 in Northern Ireland. Constituency boundaries are reviewed periodically to ensure, as far as possible, equality of representation.

Members of Parliament are elected to the House of Commons at a Parliamentary general election. The maximum length allowed between general elections is 5 years, although there is no minimum length of a Parliament specified. In constitutional law, the timing of a general election is essentially the perogative of the Queen who is responsible for dissolving Parliament by means of a Royal Proclamation. In practice, it is the Prime Minister who advises the Queen and, under normal circumstances, it is he or she who will have control over the date of the general election. A general election can also take place if the government loses a vote of confidence.

A parliamentary election is triggered by the issue of a writ to the Acting Returning Officer for each constituency requiring that an election be held. If a vacancy occurs mid-term, a bye-election is held for the constituency concerned.

There are two constituencies covering the District of Hart, the areas covered by Yateley Town Council and Blackwater and Hawley Town Council fall within the Aldershot constituency and the rest of the District falls within the North East Hampshire constituency. The last parliamentary election was held on 5th May 2005. Click on the appropriate links if you wish to view the constituency results for this election as they applied to Hart and for details on how to contact your MP.