Prior to its uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in England, Scotland and Wales.

Prior to 1999 and the adoption of proportional representation, Hitchin was in the Hertfordshire constituency.

It was re-created in 1994 and abolished in 1999 on the adoption of proportional representation for European elections in the United Kingdom.

Before uniform adoption of proportional representation in 1999, the United Kingdom used first-past-the-post for the European elections in Great Britain.

The adoption of proportional representation by New Zealand, beginning in 1996, has decreased the importance of winning votes in geographical electorates.

Created in 1994 from parts of Suffolk and Norfolk, it was abolished in 1999 on the adoption of proportional representation for European elections in the United Kingdom.

In 1974, Anthony Wigram founded Conservative Action for Electoral Reform and urged the adoption of proportional representation because "the present electoral system could easily give power to a Socialist Party controlled by an extreme left wing group.".

Created in 1979 for the first elections to the European Parliament, it was abolished in 1999 on the adoption of proportional representation for European elections in the United Kingdom.

The political element would be secured through the adoption of proportional representation.

Between 1979 and 1984 it formed part of the London South constituency, followed by London South and Surrey East between 1984 and 1999 before the adoption of proportional representation.