Harwich was a parliamentary constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Until its abolition for the 2010 general election it elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election. History The Parliamentary Borough of Harwich had sent two members to Parliament since it was founded in 1604. Under the Reform Act of 1867 its representation was reduced to one, and in 1885 the Parliamentary Borough was abolished and replaced with a Division of the County of Essex (later a County Constituency) under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885. For a long period of time it was known as a "Treasury borough" due to the control the Treasury had over its elections. The constituency was abolished for the 2010 general election by the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, being succeeded by the new constituency of Clacton and part of the new constituency of Harwich and North Essex. Boundaries and boundary changes 1885–1918: The Municipal Borough of Harwich, and parts of the Sessional Divisions of Lexden and Winstree. Non-resident freeholders of the Parliamentary Borough of Colchester, which constituted the Municipal Borough thereof, were also entitled to vote. Formally known as the North Eastern or Harwich Division of Essex, incorporating the abolished Parliamentary Borough of Harwich and extending southwards and westwards to include the towns of Clacton and Brightlingsea and the rural areas surrounding Colchester. 1918–1950: The Municipal Borough of Harwich, the Urban Districts of Brightlingsea, Clacton, Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, and Wivenhoe, and the Rural District of Tendring. Western, rural parts included in the new Colchester Division of Essex. 1950–1983: The Municipal Borough of Harwich, the Urban Districts of Brightlingsea, Clacton, Frinton and Walton, and Wivenhoe, and the Rural District of Tendring. No changes. 1983–1997: The District of Tendring wards of Beaumont and Thorpe, Bockings Elm, Bradfield Wrabness and Wix, Frinton, Golf Green, Great and Little Oakley, Harwich East, Harwich East Central, Harwich West, Harwich West Central, Haven, Holland and Kirby, Little Clacton, Ramsey, Rush Green, Southcliff, St Bartholomew's, St James, St John's, St Mary's, St Osyth, Tendring and Weeley, and Walton. Western parts, including Brightlingsea and Wivenhoe, included in the new County Constituency of North Colchester. 1997–2010: The District of Tendring wards of Beaumont and Thorpe, Bockings Elm, Frinton, Golf Green, Great and Little Oakley, Harwich East, Harwich East Central, Harwich West, Harwich West Central, Haven, Holland and Kirby,