the seat in 2015, 2017 and 2019, although in 2019 his majority was reduced to just 985 votes over Paula Ferguson of the Liberal Democrats, making Winchester one of the most marginal seats in the UK. Prominent frontbenchers Sir George Hennessy was a senior whip (Vice-Chamberlain of the Household then Treasurer of the Household) from 1925 to 1929, being given the style 'sir' through a baronetcy in 1927. Peter Smithers resigned the seat in 1964 to serve as Secretary General of the Council of Europe until 1969. Gerry Malone became a Health Minister in 1994. Mark Oaten became Liberal Democrat Home Affairs Spokesman from 2003 until January 2006. Constituency profile The ancient capital of Wessex, Winchester is a cathedral city with the arts and humanities-oriented University and an affluent population. Poverty is very low, and the population is a mixture of students, academics, London and Southampton commuters, and those employed locally in high-tech and creative industries. The only other large settlement in the constituency is Chandler's Ford which has over 21,000 residents and is largely a dormitory town. The constituency also includes several villages, mostly to the north and east of Winchester, including Micheldever, New Alresford and Kings Worthy. Much of the rural territory previously in the constituency was moved to Meon Valley from the 2010 general election. Workless claimants who were registered jobseekers were in November 2012 significantly lower than the national average of 3.8%, at 1.4% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian. Members of Parliament Constituency created (1295) 1295–1660 MPs 1660–1885 MPs since 1885 Elections Elections in the 2010s Elections in the 2000s Note: The percentage differences are compared to the previous general election poll, not the by-election. Elections in the 1990s Note: The result reflects the official return made at the time. It was subsequently declared void upon petition. Because of the presence on the ballot paper of Richard Huggett as "Liberal Democrat Top Choice for Parliament", Oaten used the description "Liberal Democrat: Leader: Paddy Ashdown" to identify himself as the official Liberal Democrat candidate. Elections in the 1980s Elections in the 1970s Elections in the 1960s Elections in the 1950s Election in the 1940s Elections in the 1930s Elections in the 1920s Election results 1885-1918 Elections in the 1880s Tottenham's death caused a by-election. Elections in the 1890s Elections in the 1900s Elections in the 1910s General Election 1914/15: Another General