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Ashfield (UK Parliament constituency)

Coordinates: 53°07′N 1°16′W / 53.12°N 1.27°W / 53.12; -1.27
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Ashfield
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Map
Interactive map of boundaries from 2024
Map of constituency
Boundary of Ashfield in the East Midlands
CountyNottinghamshire
Population101,914 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate69,819 (2023)[2]
Major settlementsSutton-in-Ashfield, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
Current constituency
Created1955
Member of ParliamentLee Anderson (Reform UK)
SeatsOne
Created fromBroxtowe

Ashfield is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. It is in the English county of Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, to the north-west of the city of Nottingham, in the Erewash Valley along the border with neighbouring county Derbyshire.

Ashfield was part of the Red Wall, a group of constituencies in the Midlands and Northern England which formerly almost always voted for the Labour Party, until many of them switched to the Conservative Party in the 2019 general election. In the 2016 referendum on membership of the European Union, Ashfield voted 70% in favour of Brexit.[3]

Constituency profile

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The seat contains the market towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Sutton-in-Ashfield and Huthwaite. Coal mining was formerly a significant part of the local economy. Electoral Calculus categorises the seat as having socially conservative views and economically soft-left views alongside strong support for Brexit. Around 57% of the constituency is deprived, slightly higher than the national average of 52%, according to the site. The average age is 50.8, at least 80% of the local population owns a car, whilst 68% own a home, and the gross household income is £35,124.[4]

Boundaries

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Historic

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Map
Map of boundaries 2010–2024

1955–1974: The Urban Districts of Eastwood, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and Sutton-in-Ashfield, and in the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Annesley, Bestwood Park, Brinsley, Felley, Linby, Newstead, Papplewick, and Selston.

1974–1983: The Urban Districts of Hucknall, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and Sutton-in-Ashfield, and in the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Annesley, Felley, and Selston.

1983–2010: The District of Ashfield wards of Jacksdale, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Central, Kirkby-in-Ashfield East, Kirkby-in-Ashfield West, Selston, Sutton-in-Ashfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield East, Sutton-in-Ashfield North, Sutton-in-Ashfield West, Underwood, and Woodhouse, and the Borough of Broxtowe wards of Brinsley, Eastwood East, Eastwood North, and Eastwood South.

2010–2024: The District of Ashfield wards of Jacksdale, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Central, Kirkby-in-Ashfield East, Kirkby-in-Ashfield West, Selston, Sutton-in-Ashfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield East, Sutton-in-Ashfield North, Sutton-in-Ashfield West, Underwood, and Woodhouse, and the Borough of Broxtowe wards of Brinsley, Eastwood North and Greasley Beauvale, and Eastwood South.

Current

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Following the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, and reflecting the local government boundary review in the District of Mansfield which came into effect in May 2023,[5][6] the constituency is composed of the following with effect from the 2024 general election:

  • The District of Ashfield wards of: Abbey Hill; Annesley & Kirkby Woodhouse; Ashfields; Carsic; Central & New Cross; Huthwaite & Brierley; Jacksdale; Kingsway; Kirkby Cross & Portland; Larwood; Leamington; St. Mary’s; Selston; Skegby; Stanton Hill & Teversal; Summit; Sutton Junction & Harlow Wood; The Dales; Underwood.[7]
  • Parts of the District of Mansfield wards of: Lindhurst; Pleaseley; Rufford; Sherwood.1 [8]

The parts in the Borough of Broxtowe were transferred to the Broxtowe constituency and the parts in Mansfield District were transferred from the Mansfield constituency.

History

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Until the Conservatives gained the seat at the 2019 general election, it had almost always been a Labour Party seat since its creation for the 1955 general election. The Ashfield constituency has been served by a former Secretary of State, Geoff Hoon, and, since its creation until 2019, for only two years has been served by one member of another party, Tim Smith of the Conservative Party, from 1977 to 1979. Ashfield's 2019 result indicates quite a large Conservative majority. In 2010, the seat had a marginal majority of only 192 votes over the Liberal Democrats, but that was increased to 8,820 in 2015 after a collapse in the Liberal Democrat vote, with the Conservatives finishing in second place. In 2017, there was another narrow margin of victory for Labour after an 8.9% swing to the Conservatives, who squeezed most of the fairly substantial UKIP vote from two years earlier, and also a large vote for the Ashfield Independents candidate of nearly 10%, but Labour on that occasion did just enough to hang on by just over 400 votes. In 2019, the Ashfield Independents candidate Jason Zadrozny, who had come close to winning the seat for the Liberal Democrats nine years earlier, came second with a substantial vote, and the Conservatives took the seat despite achieving fewer votes and a smaller percentage of the total vote than in 2017. When the MP Lee Anderson left the Tories to become an independent and then subsequently join Reform UK, he contested it once again in the 2024 election, managing to win it for the party due to their message resounding with the predominantly pro-Brexit electorate and Anderson having the advantage of incumbency.

Members of Parliament

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Election Member[9] Party
1955 Will Warbey Labour
1966 David Marquand Labour
1977 by-election Tim Smith Conservative
1979 Frank Haynes Labour
1992 Geoff Hoon Labour
2010 Gloria De Piero Labour
2019 Lee Anderson Conservative
February 2024 Independent
March 2024 Reform UK

Elections

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Elections in the 2020s

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General election 2024: Ashfield[10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Reform UK Lee Anderson 17,062 42.8 +37.8
Labour Rhea Keehn 11,554 29.0 +3.4
Ashfield Ind. Jason Zadrozny 6,276 15.7 −11.2
Conservative Debbie Soloman 3,271 8.2 −31.0
Green Alexander Coates 1,100 2.8 +1.5
Liberal Democrats Daniel Holmes 619 1.6 −0.5
Majority 5,509 13.8 Increase2.1
Turnout 39,881 58.1 Decrease4.5
Registered electors 68,929
Reform UK gain from Conservative Swing Increase24.1

Elections in the 2010s

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General election 2019: Ashfield[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lee Anderson 19,231 39.3 Decrease 2.4
Ashfield Ind. Jason Zadrozny 13,498 27.6 Increase 18.4
Labour Natalie Fleet 11,971 24.4 Decrease 18.2
Brexit Party Martin Daubney 2,501 5.1 New
Liberal Democrats Rebecca Wain 1,105 2.3 Increase 0.4
Green Rose Woods 674 1.4 Increase 0.6
Majority 5,733 11.7 Increase 10.8
Turnout 48,980 62.6 Decrease 1.4
Registered electors 78,204
Conservative gain from Labour Swing Increase 7.9
General election 2017: Ashfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gloria De Piero 21,285 42.6 Increase 1.6
Conservative Tony Harper 20,844 41.7 Increase 19.3
Ashfield Ind. Gail Turner 4,612 9.2 New
UKIP Ray Young 1,885 3.8 Decrease 17.6
Liberal Democrats Bob Charlesworth 969 1.9 Decrease 12.9
Green Arran Rangi 398 0.8 New
Majority 441 0.9 Decrease 17.7
Turnout 49,993 64.0 Increase 5.5
Registered electors 78,076
Labour hold Swing Decrease 8.9
General election 2015: Ashfield[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gloria De Piero 19,448 41.0 Increase 7.3
Conservative Helen Harrison[13] 10,628 22.4 Increase 0.2
UKIP Simon Ashcroft 10,150 21.4 Increase 19.5
Liberal Democrats Philip Smith[14] 7,030 14.8 Decrease 18.5
Justice for Men and Boys Mike Buchanan 153 0.3 New
Majority 8,820 18.6 Increase 18.2
Turnout 47,409 61.5 Decrease 0.8
Registered electors 77,091
Labour hold Swing Increase 3.6

The Liberal Democrats had again selected Jason Zadrozny as their prospective parliamentary candidate for the 2015 general election, but he was suspended by the party and removed as a candidate just weeks before the election after being arrested; he was later cleared.[15] He was replaced by Philip Smith.[16][17]

General election 2010: Ashfield[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gloria De Piero 16,239 33.7 Decrease 15.0
Liberal Democrats Jason Zadrozny 16,047 33.3 Increase 19.5
Conservative Garry Hickton 10,698 22.2 Decrease 2.2
BNP Edward Holmes 2,781 5.8 New
English Democrat Tony Ellis 1,102 2.3 New
UKIP Terry Coleman 933 1.9 New
Independent Eddie Smith 396 0.8 New
Majority 192 0.4 Decrease 23.9
Turnout 48,196 62.3 Increase 5.2
Registered electors 77,379
Labour hold Swing Decrease 17.2

Elections in the 2000s

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General election 2005: Ashfield[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 20,433 48.6 Decrease 9.5
Conservative Giles Inglis-Jones 10,220 24.3 Decrease 0.1
Liberal Democrats Wendy Johnson 5,829 13.9 Increase 2.6
Ashfield Ind. Roy Adkins 2,292 5.5 New
Independent Kate Allsop 1,900 4.5 New
Veritas Sarah Hemstock 1,108 2.6 New
Independent Eddie Grenfell 269 0.6 New
Majority 10,213 24.3 Decrease 9.4
Turnout 42,051 57.3 Increase 3.7
Registered electors 73,321
Labour hold Swing Decrease 4.7
General election 2001: Ashfield[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 22,875 58.1 Decrease 7.0
Conservative Julian Leigh 9,607 24.4 Increase 4.1
Liberal Democrats William Smith 4,428 11.3 Increase 1.6
Independent Charlie Harby 1,471 3.7 New
Socialist Alliance George Watson 589 1.5 New
Socialist Labour Katrina R. Howse 380 1.0 New
Majority 13,268 33.7 Decrease 11.1
Turnout 39,350 53.6 Decrease 16.4
Registered electors 73,428
Labour hold Swing Decrease 5.6

Elections in the 1990s

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General election 1997: Ashfield[22][23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 32,979 65.1 Increase 10.2
Conservative Mark Simmonds 10,251 20.3 Decrease 12.3
Liberal Democrats William E. Smith 4,882 9.7 Decrease 2.8
Referendum Martin I. Betts 1,896 3.8 New
BNP Steven E. Belshaw 595 1.2 New
Majority 22,728 44.8 Increase 21.5
Turnout 50,603 70.0 Decrease 10.4
Registered electors 72,299
Labour hold Swing Increase 11.3
General election 1992: Ashfield[24][25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 32,018 54.9 Increase 13.2
Conservative Laurence Robertson 19,031 32.6 Decrease 1.0
Liberal Democrats James S. Turton 7,291 12.5 Decrease 12.2
Majority 12,987 22.3 Increase 14.2
Turnout 58,340 80.4 Increase 3.2
Registered electors 75,075
Labour hold Swing Increase 7.1

Elections in the 1980s

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General election 1987: Ashfield[23][26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Haynes 22,812 41.7 0.0
Conservative Barry Coleman 18,412 33.6 Increase 2.9
Liberal Frances Stein 13,542 24.7 Decrease 2.1
Majority 4,400 8.1 Decrease 2.9
Turnout 54,756 77.2 Increase 2.4
Registered electors 70,937
Labour hold Swing Decrease 1.5
General election 1983: Ashfield[23][27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Haynes 21,859 41.7 Decrease 11.1
Conservative Roderick Seligman 15,772 30.7 Decrease 9.7
Liberal Frances Stein 13,812 26.8 Increase 20.6
Majority 6,087 11.0 Decrease 1.4
Turnout 51,443 74.8 Decrease 5.8
Registered electors 69,791
Labour hold Swing Decrease 0.7

Elections in the 1970s

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General election 1979: Ashfield[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Haynes 33,116 52.8 Decrease 10.6
Conservative Tim Smith 25,319 40.4 Increase 18.1
Liberal Hampton Flint 3,914 6.2 Decrease 8.1
National Front W. Annable 397 0.6 N/A
Majority 7,797 12.4 Decrease 28.7
Turnout 62,746 80.6 Increase 5.9
Registered electors 77,878
Labour hold Swing Decrease 14.4
By-election 1977: Ashfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Smith 19,616 43.1 Increase 20.8
Labour Michael Cowan 19,352 42.5 Decrease 20.9
Liberal Hampton Flint 4,380 9.6 Decrease 4.7
National Front George Herrod 1,734 3.8 New
Socialist Workers June Hall 453 1.0 New
Majority 264 0.6 N/A
Turnout 45,535
Conservative gain from Labour Swing Increase 20.8
General election October 1974: Ashfield[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 35,367 63.4 Increase 4.1
Conservative Richard Kemm 12,452 22.3 Decrease 1.1
Liberal Hampton Flint 7,959 14.3 Decrease 3.0
Majority 22,915 41.1 Increase 5.2
Turnout 55,778 74.7 Decrease 12.7
Registered electors 74,701
Labour hold Swing
General election February 1974: Ashfield[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 35,994 59.3 Decrease 11.0
Conservative Richard Kemm 14,206 23.4 Decrease 6.3
Liberal Hampton Flint 10,534 17.3 New
Majority 21,788 35.9 Decrease 0.5
Turnout 60,734 82.0 Increase 11.8
Registered electors 74,064
Labour hold Swing
General election 1970: Ashfield[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 32,372 68.2 Decrease 5.4
Conservative Richard Kemm 15,089 31.8 Increase 5.4
Majority 17,283 36.4 Decrease 11.4
Turnout 47,461 70.2 Decrease 3.1
Registered electors 67,681
Labour hold Swing Decrease 5.4

Elections in the 1960s

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General election 1966: Ashfield[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 33,477 73.6 Increase 0.8
Conservative E.T. Gibbons 11,991 26.4 Decrease 0.8
Majority 21,486 47.8 Increase 2.1
Turnout 45,468 73.3 Decrease 3.9
Registered electors 62,030
Labour hold Swing
General election 1964: Ashfield[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Warbey 34,841 72.8 Increase 2.1
Conservative T.L. Wright 12,989 27.2 Decrease 2.1
Majority 21,852 45.7 Increase 4.3
Turnout 47,830 77.2 Decrease 4.8
Registered electors 61,960
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

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General election 1959: Ashfield[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Warbey 35,432 70.7 Decrease 1.2
Conservative Julian G.W. Sandys 14,690 29.3 Increase 1.2
Majority 20,742 41.4 Decrease 2.5
Turnout 50,122 82.0 Increase 5.5
Registered electors 61,139
Labour hold Swing
General election 1955: Ashfield[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Warbey 32,905 71.9 N/A
Conservative Alan S. Plane 12,836 28.1 N/A
Majority 20,069 43.9 N/A
Turnout 45,741 76.5 N/A
Registered electors 59,820
Labour win (new seat)

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  2. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – East Midlands". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  3. ^ "EU Referendum: Ashfield votes to LEAVE the EU". ITV News. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  4. ^ "The Electoral Calculus' profile of Ashfield". Electoral Calculus. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  5. ^ LGBCE. "Mansfield | LGBCE". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  6. ^ "The Mansfield (Electoral Changes) Order 2022".
  7. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule I Part I.
  8. ^ "New Seat Details – Ashfield". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
  9. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 3)
  10. ^ "Ashfield - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Ashfield Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  13. ^ "Conservatives choose Ashfield candidate for General Election". www.chad.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Ashfield Liberal Democrats name new candidate". Nottingham Post. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  15. ^ Sherdley, Rebecca (30 October 2017). "Cleared councillor Jason Zadrozny vows to sue police over sex abuse claims". NottinghamshireLive.
  16. ^ Mason, Rowena (26 March 2015). "Lib Dem election candidate arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse". The Guardian.
  17. ^ "Nottinghamshire councillor Jason Zadrozny's child sex case thrown out". BBC News. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  19. ^ "BBC News – Election 2010 – Constituency – Ashfield". news.bbc.co.uk.
  20. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g "Ashfield [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  24. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  25. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  26. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  27. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  28. ^ "UK General Election results: March 1966 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  29. ^ "UK General Election results: October 1964 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  30. ^ "UK General Election results: October 1959 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  31. ^ "UK General Election results: May 1955 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2010.

Sources

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  • Youngs, Frederic A., Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol II, Northern England, London, 1991
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53°07′N 1°16′W / 53.12°N 1.27°W / 53.12; -1.27

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