Chelmsford is a constituency in Essex represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2017 by Vicky Ford of the Conservative Party. In September 2022, she was appointed by Prime Minister Liz Truss as Minister of State for Development in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The constituency was created in 1885 and existed until 1997 when it was abolished and replaced by two new constituencies: Maldon and East Chelmsford and West Chelmsford. It was recreated in 2010 following the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies. History Chelmsford was one of eight single-member divisions of Essex (later classified as county constituencies) created by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, replacing the three two member divisions of East, South and West Essex. It continued in existence until it was briefly abolished for the 1997 general election following the Fourth Periodic Review of Westminster Constituencies, but re-established for the 2010 general election as a Borough Constituency by the Fifth Review. During its latter years, the old seat was narrowly won by a Conservative over strong Liberal Democrat performances, including their predecessor party the Liberal Party. Historically, the constituency has on occasion been referred to as 'Mid Essex', especially in the early part of the 20th Century. Boundaries and boundary changes 1885–1918: The Sessional Divisions of Brentwood (except the parishes of Rainham and Wennington) and Chelmsford. Formed from parts of the abolished West Division, including Chelmsford, and part of the South Division, including Brentwood and Billericay. 1918–1945: The Borough of Chelmsford, the Urban District of Brentwood, the Rural Districts of Chelmsford and Ongar, and in the Rural District of Billericay the parishes of Hutton, Ingrave, Mountnessing, Shenfield, and South Weald. Gained eastern part of the Epping Division, including Chipping Ongar. The south-western corner, including Upminster, transferred to Romford and southernmost parts, including the town of Billericay, transferred to the South-Eastern Division. 1945–1950: The Borough of Chelmsford, the Urban District of Brentwood, and the Rural Districts of Chelmsford and Ongar. Minor changes following the reorganisation of local authorities, involving the abolition of the Rural District of Billericay and the expansion of the Urban District of Brentwood. 1950–1955: The Borough of Chelmsford, and the Rural Districts of Chelmsford and Ongar. Brentwood transferred to Romford. 1955–1974: The Borough of Chelmsford, and the Rural District of Chelmsford. The Rural District of Ongar included in the new County Constituency of Chigwell. 1974–1983: The Borough of