Voters are set to hit the ballot boxes in a Suffolk parliamentary constituency that last existed just over 40 years ago.

As polling stations open for the general election on Thursday the battle for Britain's most easterly seat will come under scrutiny once more.

Counting previously under way at Counting under way at a previous election at Waterlane Leisure Centre, Lowestoft. East Suffolk Council will be managing the UK Parliamentary elections count for the Lowestoft constituency. Picture: Mick Howes

Having been a parliamentary constituency for almost a century, the seat of Lowestoft has been revived for the first time since 1983.

The constituency was originally created for the 1885 general election and back then was won by the Liberal Party.

But after being abolished for the 1983 general election, it was replaced by the Waveney seat.

Votes will be counted for the Lowestoft constituency.Votes will be counted for the Lowestoft constituency.

After the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, Lowestoft was re-established for the general election on July 4 - having been held by the Conservatives for 14 years.

Between 1885 and 1983, a total of 12 MPs served the Lowestoft constituency.

It's last MP was Conservative Jim Prior, who represented Lowestoft for 24 years - from 1959 to 1983 - serving in two Conservative cabinets, in which he was seen as a 'wet' Tory.

Jim PriorJim Prior

As Secretary of State for Employment from 1979 to 1981, however, he disagreed with some of Margaret Thatcher's views on trade unions and her monetarist economic policies generally - which made him known as part of the so-called 'wet' Tory faction in the Conservative ranks.

Lord Prior also represented the renamed Waveney constituency from 1983 to 1987, when he stood down from the House of Commons and was made a life peer.

Waveney constituency

Between 1987 and 2023, the traditional bellwether seat of Waveney has seemingly swung heavily in line with the mood of the nation.

Former Waveney MP Bob Blizzard.Former Waveney MP Bob Blizzard. (Image: Archant © 2011)

Former MPs elected for Waveney in this time were David Porter, Conservative, in 1987; Bob Blizzard, Labour, in 1997 and since 2010 Peter Aldous, Conservative.

The Conservatives narrowly took the seat from Labour in 2010 with a majority of just 769 and have increased this in subsequent elections.

Former Waveney MP Peter Aldous.Former Waveney MP Peter Aldous. (Image: Archant)

In 2019 Mr Aldous had a majority of 18,002 in Waveney.

2024 Lowestoft constituency candidates

With an electorate of 73,967, according to most recent figures, the re-established Lowestoft constituency is comprised of the following East Suffolk district wards - Beccles and Worlingham, Carlton and Whitton, Carlton Colville, Gunton and St. Margarets, Harbour and Normanston, Kessingland, Kirkley and Pakefield, Lothingland, Oulton Broad.

June Mummery, Reform UK. Picture: Mick HowesJune Mummery, Reform UK. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Jess Asato. Picture: Lowestoft Labour PartyJess Asato. Picture: Lowestoft Labour Party (Image: Lowestoft Labour Party)

The five candidates standing for election for the Lowestoft constituency are Peter Aldous (Conservative), Jess Asato (Labour Party), Toby Hammond (Green Party), June Mummery (Reform UK) and Adam Robertson (Liberal Democrats).

Toby Hammond. Picture: SubmittedToby Hammond. Picture: Submitted (Image: Submitted)

Adam Robertson. Picture: Adam RobertsonAdam Robertson. Picture: Adam Robertson (Image: Adam Robertson)

With voting hours between 7am and 10pm on July 4, the General Election count for the Lowestoft constituency will take place following the closure of the polls, overnight, at Waterlane Leisure Centre in Lowestoft.

Be sure to visit www.lowestoftjournal.co.uk/ on election night for our live coverage of the drama.