Ashfield (UK Parliament constituency)

Ashfield is a constituency[n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament most recently by Lee Anderson of the Conservative Party.[n 2] The constituency is in the English county of Nottinghamshire, East Midlands; located to the north west of the city of Nottingham in the Erewash Valley along the border with neighbouring county Derbyshire. The seat contains the market towns of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Huthwaite and Eastwood. Ashfield was part of the Red Wall which by and large, voted Conservative in the 2019 general election. In the 2016 referendum on membership of the European Union, Ashfield voted 70% in favour of Brexit.[3]

Ashfield
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Boundary of Ashfield in Nottinghamshire
Location of Nottinghamshire within England
CountyNottinghamshire
Population101,914 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate77,049 (December 2010)[2]
Major settlementsSutton in Ashfield, Kirkby in Ashfield and Eastwood
Current constituency
Created1955
Member of ParliamentLee Anderson (Conservative)
Number of membersOne
Created fromBroxtowe

Constituency profile

Until the Conservatives gained the seat at the 2019 general election, it almost always 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 now, 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 this 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 Independent 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.

Boundaries

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–present: 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.

History

The former Cabinet minister Geoff Hoon represented the seat for the Labour Party from 1992, when he succeeded the three-term Labour member Frank Haynes, to 2010 when he retired.[4] Ashfield is now represented by Conservative MP Lee Anderson. Formerly, Gloria De Piero came close to losing the seat after a 17.2% swing to the Liberal Democrats in 2010 but increased her majority again in 2015, only for it to be reduced to 441 in 2017.

The incumbent member of Youth Parliament for Ashfield is Ashlie Elliott of Quarrydale Academy (Elected 2019).

Members of Parliament
Election Member Portrait Party Notes
1955 Will Warbey Labour Member of Parliament for Luton (1945-1950)

Member of Parliament for Broxtowe (1953-1955)

1966 David Marquand Labour
1977 by-election Tim Smith Conservative Member of Parliament for Beaconsfield (1982-1997)
1979 Frank Haynes Labour
1987 Geoff Hoon Labour Member of the European Parliament for Derbyshire (1984-1994)

Secretary of State for Defence (1999-2005)

Leader of the House of Commons (2005-2006)

Chief Whip of the House of Commons (2007-2008)

Secretary of State for Transport (2008-2009)

2010 Gloria De Piero Labour Political Editor of GMTV (2003-2010)

Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities (2013-2015)

Shadow Minister for Young People and Voter Registration (2015-2016)

2019 Lee Anderson Conservative

Elections
Ashfield election results

Elections in the 2010s
General election 2019: Ashfield[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Lee Anderson 19,231 39.3 2.4
Ashfield Independents Jason Zadrozny 13,498 27.6 18.4
Labour Natalie Fleet 11,971 24.4 18.2
Brexit Party Martin Daubney 2,501 5.1 New
Liberal Democrats Rebecca Wain 1,105 2.3 0.4
Green Rose Woods 674 1.4 0.6
Majority 5,733 11.7 N/A
Turnout 48,980 62.6 1.4
Conservative gain from Labour Swing 7.9
General election 2017: Ashfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gloria De Piero 21,285 42.6 1.6
Conservative Tony Harper 20,844 41.7 19.3
Ashfield Independents Gail Turner 4,612 9.2 New
UKIP Ray Young 1,885 3.8 17.6
Liberal Democrats Bob Charlesworth 969 1.9 12.9
Green Arran Rangi 398 0.8 New
Majority 441 0.9 17.7
Turnout 49,993 64.0 5.5
Labour hold Swing 8.9
General election 2015: Ashfield[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gloria De Piero 19,448 41.0 +7.3
Conservative Helen Harrison[7] 10,628 22.4 +0.2
UKIP Simon Ashcroft 10,150 21.4 +19.5
Liberal Democrats Philip Smith[8] 7,030 14.8 −18.5
Justice for Men and Boys Mike Buchanan 153 0.3 New
Majority 8,820 18.6 +18.2
Turnout 47,409 61.5 −0.8
Labour hold Swing +3.55

The Liberal Democrats had again selected Jason Zadrozny, but he was suspended by the Liberal Democrat party after being arrested and questioned for historic child sex abuse allegations just weeks before the election, of which he was later cleared.[9] He was replaced by Philip Smith.[10][11]

General election 2010: Ashfield[12][13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Gloria De Piero 16,239 33.7 −15.0
Liberal Democrats Jason Zadrozny 16,047 33.3 +19.5
Conservative Garry Hickton 10,698 22.2 −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 −23.9
Turnout 48,196 62.3 +5.2
Labour hold Swing −17.2

Elections in the 2000s
General election 2005: Ashfield[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 20,433 48.6 −9.5
Conservative Giles Inglis-Jones 10,220 24.3 −0.1
Liberal Democrats Wendy Johnson 5,829 13.9 +2.6
Ashfield Independents 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 -9.4
Turnout 42,051 57.3 +3.7
Labour hold Swing −4.7
General election 2001: Ashfield[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 22,875 58.1 −7.0
Conservative Julian Leigh 9,607 24.4 +4.1
Liberal Democrats William Smith 4,428 11.3 +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 -11.2
Turnout 39,350 53.6 −16.4
Labour hold Swing −5.6

Elections in the 1990s
General election 1997: Ashfield[16][17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 32,979 65.1 +10.2
Conservative Mark Simmonds 10,251 20.3 −12.3
Liberal Democrats William E. Smith 4,882 9.7 −2.8
Referendum Martin I. Betts 1,896 3.8 New
BNP Steven E. Belshaw 595 1.2 New
Majority 22,728 44.9 +21.6
Turnout 50,603 70.0 -10.4
Labour hold Swing +11.3
General election 1992: Ashfield[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Hoon 32,018 54.9 +13.2
Conservative Laurence Robertson 19,031 32.6 −1.0
Liberal Democrats James S. Turton 7,291 12.5 −12.2
Majority 12,987 22.3 +14.2
Turnout 58,340 80.4 +3.2
Labour hold Swing +7.1

Elections in the 1980s
General election 1987: Ashfield[17][20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Haynes 22,812 41.7 ±0.0
Conservative Barry Coleman 18,412 33.6 +2.9
Liberal Frances Stein 13,542 24.7 −2.1
Majority 4,400 8.1 −3.7
Turnout 70,937 77.2 +2.4
Labour hold Swing −1.45
General election 1983: Ashfield[17][21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Haynes 21,859 41.7
Conservative Roderick Seligman 15,772 30.7
Liberal Frances Stein 13,812 26.8
Majority 6,087 11.8
Turnout 68,791 74.8
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s
General election 1979: Ashfield[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Frank Haynes 33,116 52.8 −10.6
Conservative Tim Smith 25,319 40.4 +18.1
Liberal Hampton Flint 3,914 6.2 −8.1
National Front W. Annable 397 0.6 N/A
Majority 7,797 12.4 -28.7
Turnout 77,878 80.6 +5.9
Labour hold Swing −14.4
By-election 1977: Ashfield
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Tim Smith 19,616 43.1 +20.8
Labour Michael Cowan 19,352 42.5 −20.9
Liberal Hampton Flint 4,380 9.6 −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 20.8
General election October 1974: Ashfield[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 35,367 63.4 +4.1
Conservative Richard Kemm 12,452 22.3 −1.1
Liberal Hampton Flint 7,959 14.3 −3.0
Majority 22,915 41.1 +5.2
Turnout 74,683 74.7 -12.7
Labour hold Swing
General election February 1974: Ashfield[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 35,994 59.3 −11.0
Conservative Richard Kemm 14,206 23.4 −6.3
Liberal Hampton Flint 10,534 17.3 New
Majority 21,788 35.9 -0.5
Turnout 74,095 82.0 +11.8
Labour hold Swing
General election 1970: Ashfield[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 32,372 68.2 −5.4
Conservative Richard Kemm 15,089 31.8 +5.4
Majority 17,283 36.4 -11.4
Turnout 67,623 70.2 -3.1
Labour hold Swing −5.4

Elections in the 1960s
General election 1966: Ashfield[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour David Marquand 33,477 73.6 +0.8
Conservative E.T. Gibbons 11,991 26.4 -0.8
Majority 21,486 47.8 +2.1
Turnout 62,030 73.30 -3.89
Labour hold Swing
General election 1964: Ashfield[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Warbey 34,841 72.84
Conservative TL Wright 12,989 27.16
Majority 21,852 45.68
Turnout 61,960 77.19
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s
General election 1959: Ashfield[24][25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Warbey 35,432 70.69
Conservative Julian GW Sandys 14,690 29.31
Majority 20,742 41.38
Turnout 61,139 81.98
Labour hold Swing
General election 1955: Ashfield[26][27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour William Warbey 32,905 71.94
Conservative Alan S Plane 12,836 28.06
Majority 20,069 43.88
Turnout 59,820 76.46
Labour win (new seat)

See also

Notes and references
Notes
  1. A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.
References
  1. "Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  2. "Electorate Figures - Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  3. "EU Referendum: Ashfield votes to LEAVE the EU". ITV News. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  4. "BBC News - Ex-cabinet minister Geoff Hoon to stand down as an MP". news.bbc.co.uk.
  5. "Ashfield Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
  6. "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  7. "Conservatives choose Ashfield candidate for General Election". www.chad.co.uk.
  8. "Ashfield Liberal Democrats name new candidate". Nottingham Post. 2 April 2015. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  9. https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/cleared-councillor-jason-zadrozny-vows-703217. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  10. Mason, Rowena (26 March 2015). "Lib Dem election candidate arrested on suspicion of child sexual abuse" – via The Guardian.
  11. "Nottinghamshire councillor Jason Zadrozny's child sex case thrown out". BBC News. 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
  12. "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  13. "BBC News - Election 2010 - Constituency - Ashfield". news.bbc.co.uk.
  14. "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  15. "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  16. "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. "Ashfield [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  18. "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  20. "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. "UK General Election results: March 1966 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  23. "UK General Election results: October 1964 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 14 August 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  24. "UK General Election results: October 1959 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  25. http://tools.assembla.com/svn/grodt/uk/thc/files/marked_up/1959_marked_up.txt
  26. "UK General Election results: May 1955 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  27. http://tools.assembla.com/svn/grodt/uk/thc/files/marked_up/1955_marked_up.txt

Sources
  • Youngs, Frederic A., Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol II, Northern England, London, 1991

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