Bristol Politics

Bristol has a tradition of local political activism, and has been home to many influential political figures.

Edmund Burke, Whig Member of Parliament for Bristol from 1774-80, campaigned for free trade, Catholic emancipation and the rights of the American colonists. He also famously insisted that he was a Member of Parliament first, rather than a representative of his constituents' interests.

Women's rights campaigner Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence (1867-1954) was born in Bristol.

Veteran left-wing politician Tony Benn was an MP for Bristol South East from 1950 until 1983.