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.

When it was created in England in 1979, it consisted of the Westminster Parliament constituencies of Devon North, Devon West, Exeter, Honiton, Tiverton, Torbay and Totnes.

In 1984, Totnes was replaced by South Hams and Teignbridge, while Devon West was replaced by Devon West and Torridge.

[1] During the fifteen-year existence of the Devon European Parliamentary constituency, it was represented by Charles Strachey, 4th Baron O'Hagan, until his resignation in 1994.

These seats became part of the much larger South West England constituency in 1999.