The Conservative majority of 11,382 was still large enough to be regarded as a safe seat; when the sitting MP John Peyton stood down at the 1983 general election to be made a life peer, however, Ashdown had gained momentum after his years of local campaigning.
The Conservative majority of 11,382 was still large enough to be regarded as a safe seat. Ashdown had gained momentum after his years of local campaigning. This was however. The sitting MP John Peyton stood down at the 1983 general election. This was to be made a life peer.