London · England · 70,659Boundary · 2023

East Hampshire

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Meon Valley.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

A marginal seat — won by just 1,275 votes (2.5%) in 2024. Covers Alton (East Hampshire), Horndean and Petersfield. Population 87,923, notably older (median age 47 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 54% below the national average.

Twice breaking with his party to support the Tobacco and Vapes Bill -- voting for it at both Second and Third Reading against the Conservative majority -- Damian Hinds has used his most visible rebel moments to back public health legislation originally championed under Rishi Sunak's government. Beyond that, his recent activity has been dominated by constituency campaigning: pushing for hospital investment, challenging proposals to cut community hospital beds, opposing local government reorganisation in Westminster Hall debates, and publicly questioning plans to merge police forces, arguing the case for rural policing independence in East Hampshire.

At 80% voting participation and 99.5% party alignment, Hinds is a reliable Conservative loyalist with one clear exception area -- public health. His voting record shows strong pro-business and anti-tax positions, consistent support for Lords scrutiny and parliamentary oversight (100% and 90% aligned respectively), and firm opposition to workers' rights and progressive taxation measures. His 491 contributions across 127 debates skew heavily toward education, the economy, and social care, reflecting what appears to be genuine policy interest rather than purely reactive voting. He sits on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee.

388
Commons votes
This parliament
£31k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
70.7k
Electorate
2024 GE

Con held for 5 consecutive elections.

Current Member of Parliament

Damian Hinds

Damian Hinds

Conservative and Unionist Party

The Rt Hon Damian Hinds is the Conservative MP for East Hampshire, and has been an MP continually since 6 May 2010.

Notable Votes

MPs voted to pass the Tobacco and Vapes Bill at its final stage in the Commons. The Bill aims to create a 'smokefree generation' by gradually raising the legal age for buying tobacco so that those born after a certain date can never legally purchase it, representing the biggest public health intervention since the 2007 smoking ban.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority

MPs voted on whether to give the Tobacco and Vapes Bill its Second Reading, advancing legislation that would create a 'smoke-free generation' by progressively raising the legal age for buying tobacco so that anyone born after 2009 could never legally purchase cigarettes, while also cracking down on vaping among young people.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority

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Voting at a Glance

A marginal seat — won by just 1,275 votes (2.5%) in 2024. Covers Alton (East Hampshire), Horndean and Petersfield. Population 87,923, notably older (median age 47 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 54% below the national average.

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Hinds’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.402 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Hinds has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
93
Economy
82
Employment
49
Crime & Policing
43
Education
27
Constitution and Democracy
24
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Third Reading26 Mar 2025 · free vote
Aye
Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Second Reading26 Nov 2024 · free vote
Aye
§ 08The local picture.24 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Alton AmerySteve Hunt395Liberal
Alton AshdellSuzie Burns418Liberal
Alton EastbrookeBarbara Tansey202Labour P
Alton HolybourneGraham Edward Hill343Conserva
Alton WestbrookeEmily Catherine Young334Liberal
Alton WhitedownGinny Boxall547Liberal
Alton WooteysWarren Timothy Jerome Moore234Liberal
Bentworth FroyleTony Costigan590Conserva
Binsted Bentley SelborneDavid Arnold Ashcroft917Conserva
Binsted Bentley SelbornePhillip Davies878Conserva
Buriton East MeonRob Mocatta475Conserva
ClanfieldChristopher William James Tonge813Liberal
Population (2021 Census)
87,923
Electorate 70,659 · 2024 register
Median income
£31,400
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
13.3%
England average 20.0%
Schools
48
35 primary · 4 secondary
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More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.