Bradford South

Last updated

Bradford South
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Bradford South
Boundaries since 2024
Yorkshire and the Humber - Bradford South constituency.svg
Boundary of Bradford South in Yorkshire and the Humber
County West Yorkshire
Population101,545 (2011 census) [1]
Electorate 69,667 (December 2019) [2]
Major settlements Bradford
Current constituency
Created 1918
Member of Parliament Judith Cummins (Labour Party)
SeatsOne
Created from Elland

Bradford South is a constituency [n 1] in West Yorkshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2015 by Judith Cummins of the Labour Party. [n 2]

Contents

Constituency profile

The Bradford South constituency lies within the City of Bradford metropolitan borough in the county of West Yorkshire. It contains the suburban areas to the south of Bradford city centre, including Holme Wood, Bierley, Wibsey and Great Horton, as well as the outlying villages of Wyke and Queensbury. The area has an industrial heritage; Bradford was once a global centre for textile manufacturing, particularly in the wool trade. [3] Like much of post-industrial Northern England, Bradford has experienced economic decline with the decrease in importance of the textile industry.

The constituency contains areas with high deprivation, but is generally wealthier than the neighbouring constituencies of Bradford East and Bradford West. Compared to national averages, residents of Bradford South have low levels of income, education and professional employment. [4] White people make up 70% of the population, which is lower than the national figure but higher than the rest of Bradford. Asians are the largest ethnic minority group, representing 22% of residents, most of whom are of Pakistani origin. Asians make up a majority of the population in some areas close to the city centre. [5] Similarly to the rest of the city, most parts of Bradford South are represented by Labour Party or independent councillors at the local district council. Voters in the constituency strongly supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum; an estimated 67% voted in favour of Brexit, one of the highest rates in the country. [4]

Boundaries

Bradford South boundaries within the City of Bradford 1918-1949 1918-1949 Bradford South.png
Bradford South boundaries within the City of Bradford 1918–1949

1918–1950: The County Borough of Bradford wards of Great Horton, Lister Hills, Little Horton, North Bierley East, and North Bierley West.

1950–1955: The County Borough of Bradford wards of Clayton, Great Horton, Lister Hills, North Bierley West, and Thornton.

1955–1974: The County Borough of Bradford wards of Clayton, North Bierley East, North Bierley West, and West Bowling, and the Urban District of Queensbury and Shelf.

1974–1983: The County Borough of Bradford wards of Clayton, Great Horton, Odsal, Tong, Wibsey, and Wyke, and the Urban District of Queensbury and Shelf.

1983–2010: The City of Bradford wards of Great Horton, Odsal, Queensbury, Tong, Wibsey, and Wyke.

2010–2024: The City of Bradford wards of Great Horton, Queensbury, Royds, Tong, Wibsey, and Wyke.

2024–present: As above, apart from the gain of a small part of the Bowling and Barkerend ward (polling district 5F) from Bradford East to bring the electorate within the permitted range. [6]

History

It was a Liberal-held seat from 1922 to 1924 and 1931–1945. Since the 1945 general election Bradford South has returned Labour Party MPs, although the Conservative Party came very close to gaining the seat in the 1980s.

Members of Parliament

Elland prior to 1918

ElectionMember [7] Party
1918 Vernon Willey Coalition Conservative
1922 Herbert Harvey Spencer Liberal
1924 William Hirst Co-operative
1931 Herbert Holdsworth Liberal
1945 Meredith Titterington Labour
1949 by-election George Craddock Labour
1970 Tom Torney Labour
1987 Bob Cryer Labour
1994 by-election Gerry Sutcliffe Labour
2015 Judith Cummins Labour

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Bradford South [8] [9]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Judith Cummins 11,833 35.8 −10.9
Reform Ian Eglin7,44122.5+15.5
Conservative Zaf Shah4,85314.7−25.4
Green Matt Edwards3,36610.2+7.7
Independent Rehiana Ali3,34510.1N/A
Liberal Democrats Anthony Smith9542.9−0.8
Workers Party Harry Boota5131.6N/A
Yorkshire Jonathan Barras4891.5N/A
English Democrat Therese Hirst2480.8N/A
Majority 4,39213.3+6.6
Turnout 33,04246.5−11.2
Registered electors 71,002
Labour hold Swing −13.2

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result [10]
PartyVote%
Labour 19,11046.7
Conservative 16,38140.1
Brexit Party 2,8727.0
Liberal Democrats 1,5193.7
Green 1,0072.5
Turnout40,88957.7
Electorate70,890
General election 2019: Bradford South [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Judith Cummins 18,390 46.3 −8.2
Conservative Narinder Sekhon16,04440.4+2.2
Brexit Party Kulvinder Manik2,8197.1N/A
Liberal Democrats Alun Griffiths1,5053.8+2.5
Green Matthew Edwards9832.5+1.6
Majority 2,3465.9−10.4
Turnout 39,74157.6−3.0
Labour hold Swing −5.2
General election 2017: Bradford South [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Judith Cummins 22,364 54.5 +11.1
Conservative Tanya Graham15,66438.2+11.9
UKIP Stephen Place1,7584.3−19.8
Liberal Democrats Stuart Thomas5161.3−1.6
English Democrat Therese Hirst3770.9N/A
Green Darren Parkinson3700.9−2.4
Majority 6,70016.3−0.9
Turnout 41,04960.6+1.5
Labour hold Swing −0.4
General election 2015: Bradford South [13] [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Judith Cummins 16,328 43.4 +2.1
Conservative Tanya Graham9,87826.3−2.8
UKIP Jason Smith9,05724.1+20.6
Green Andy Robinson1,2433.3N/A
Liberal Democrats Andrew Tear1,0942.9−15.4
Majority 6,45017.1+4.9
Turnout 37,60059.1−0.7
Labour hold Swing +2.5
General election 2010: Bradford South [15] [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gerry Sutcliffe 15,682 41.3 −7.0
Conservative Matthew Palmer11,06029.1+4.8
Liberal Democrats Alun Griffiths6,94818.3+3.8
BNP Sharon Sutton2,6517.0−0.8
UKIP Jamie Illingworth1,3393.5+2.0
Democratic NationalistJames Lewthwaite3150.8N/A
Majority 4,62212.2−12.8
Turnout 37,99559.8+6.3
Labour hold Swing −5.9

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Bradford South [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gerry Sutcliffe 17,954 49.0 −6.8
Conservative Geraldine Carter8,78724.0−4.3
Liberal Democrats Mike Doyle5,33414.6+4.0
BNP James Lewthwaite2,8627.8N/A
Green Derek Curtis6951.9N/A
UKIP Jason Smith5521.5−0.7
Veritas Therese Muchewicz4211.2N/A
Majority 9,16725.0−2.5
Turnout 36,60554.2+2.9
Labour hold Swing −1.2
General election 2001: Bradford South [18]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gerry Sutcliffe 19,603 55.8 −0.9
Conservative Graham Tennyson9,94128.3+0.3
Liberal Democrats Alexander Wilson-Fletcher3,71710.6−0.7
UKIP Peter North7832.2N/A
Socialist Labour Tony Kelly5711.6N/A
Socialist Alliance Ateeq Siddique3020.9N/A
Defend The Welfare State Against BlairismGeorge Riseborough2200.6N/A
Majority 9,66227.5−1.2
Turnout 35,13751.3−14.6
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Bradford South [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gerry Sutcliffe 25,558 56.7 +9.1
Conservative Ann G. Hawkesworth12,62228.0−10.4
Liberal Democrats Alexander Wilson-Fletcher5,09311.3−2.4
Referendum Marilyn Kershaw1,7854.0N/A
Majority 12,93628.7+19.5
Turnout 45,05865.9−9.7
Labour hold Swing
1994 Bradford South by-election
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gerry Sutcliffe 17,014 55.3 +7.7
Liberal Democrats Helen Wright7,35023.9+10.2
Conservative Ronnie Farley5,47517.8−20.6
Monster Raving Loony David Sutch 7272.4N/A
Natural Law Keith Laycock1970.6N/A
Majority 9,66431.4+22.2
Turnout 30,76344.1−31.5
Labour hold Swing
General election 1992: Bradford South [20] [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Bob Cryer 25,185 47.6 +6.2
Conservative Andrew S. Popat20,28338.4−2.4
Liberal Democrats Brian J. Boulton7,24313.7−4.1
Islamic Party Mohammad Naseem 1560.3N/A
Majority 4,9029.2+8.6
Turnout 52,86775.6+2.0
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Bradford South [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Bob Cryer 21,230 41.4 +3.9
Conservative Graham Hall20,92140.8+3.5
SDP Trevor Lindley9,10917.8−6.8
Majority 3090.6+0.4
Turnout 51,26073.7+2.7
Labour hold Swing +0.2
General election 1983: Bradford South [23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Torney 18,542 37.5
Conservative Graham Hall18,43237.3
SDP David Pearl12,14324.6N/A
Ecology Robert Adset3080.6N/A
Majority 1100.2
Turnout 49,42571.0
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Torney 26,323 47.11
Conservative JK Hirst22,00539.38
Liberal R Taylor7,12712.75
National Front G Wright4220.76N/A
Majority 4,3187.73
Turnout 55,87773.18
Labour hold Swing
General election October 1974: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Torney 25,219 48.05
Conservative GC Littlewood16,96432.32
Liberal CJ Cawood10,30619.63
Majority 8,25515.73
Turnout 52,48971.64
Labour hold Swing
General election February 1974: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Torney 25,875 44.76
Conservative PG Dwyer18,22231.52
Liberal Margaretta Holmstedt12,96122.42
Independent PowelliteR Pearson7491.30N/A
Majority 7,65313.24
Turnout 57,80779.68
Labour hold Swing
General election 1970: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Torney 20,985 45.93
Conservative John Derek Whittaker Bottomley19,00941.61
Liberal George Dunkerley5,69412.46
Majority 1,9764.32
Turnout 45,68872.01
Labour hold Swing -6.3

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 22,932 52.53
Conservative John Derek Whittaker Bottomley15,43535.35
Liberal George Dunkerley5,29112.12
Majority 7,49717.18
Turnout 43,65875.99
Labour hold Swing +4.25
General election 1964: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 21,004 46.28
National Liberal John Derek Whittaker Bottomley17,09737.67
Liberal Allen Clegg7,28616.05
Majority 3,9078.61
Turnout 45,38778.57
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 21,172 45.85
National Liberal Reginald Winston Jones18,15839.32
Liberal Hugh Womersley6,85014.83
Majority 3,0146.53
Turnout 46,18080.99
Labour hold Swing
General election 1955: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 20,478 47.32
National Liberal Reginald Winston Jones16,76838.75
Liberal Arthur T Ellis6,02913.93
Majority 3,7108.57
Turnout 43,27580.36
Labour hold Swing
General election 1951: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 21,364 47.16
National Liberal Geoffrey Francis Greenbank17,86339.43
Liberal Edward Rushworth6,07213.40
Majority 3,5017.73
Turnout 45,29986.21
Labour hold Swing
General election 1950: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 21,344 47.50
National Liberal John Lightfoot Windle15,99835.60
Liberal Edward Rushworth7,59416.90
Majority 5,34611.90
Turnout 44,93686.19
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1940s

1949 Bradford South by-election [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour George Craddock 23,335 51.3 −1.2
National Liberal John Lightfoot Windle19,31342.4+9.3
Independent Liberal Colin James Canning2,8826.3N/A
Majority 4,0228.9−10.5
Turnout 45,53074.4−2.5
Labour hold Swing −5.3
General election 1945: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Co-op Meredith Titterington 24,394 52.5 +11.0
National Liberal Herbert Walker Peel15,39233.1N/A
Liberal Charles Ewart Hindley6,70714.4−44.1
Majority 9,00219.4N/A
Turnout 46,49376.9+6.6
Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Swing

General Election 1939–40:

Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Herbert Holdsworth 24,081 58.5 −7.9
Labour Co-op William Hirst 17,12141.5+7.9
Majority 6,96017.0−15.8
Turnout 41,20270.3−12.3
Liberal hold Swing
General election 1931: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Herbert Holdsworth 31,531 66.4 +40.6
Labour Co-op William Hirst 15,99433.6−15.3
Majority 15,53732.8N/A
Turnout 47,52582.61−0.4
Liberal gain from Labour Co-op Swing

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Co-op William Hirst 23,251 48.9 +9.9
Liberal Frederick Ogden 12,27925.8−2.8
Unionist Geoffrey William Ferrand12,05025.3−7.1
Majority 10,97223.1+16.5
Turnout 47,58083.0+0.8
Labour Co-op hold Swing +6.3
General election 1924: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Co-op William Hirst 13,919 39.0 +4.1
Unionist George Mitcheson 11,58632.4+4.3
Liberal Herbert Harvey Spencer 10,23728.6−8.4
Majority 2,3336.6N/A
Turnout 35,74282.2+5.3
Labour Co-op gain from Liberal Swing
General election 1923: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Herbert Harvey Spencer 12,218 37.0 −1.0
Labour Co-op William Hirst 11,54334.9−0.4
Unionist George Mitcheson 9,27028.1+1.4
Majority 6752.1−0.6
Turnout 33,03176.9−5.3
Liberal hold Swing −0.3
General election 1922: Bradford South [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Herbert Harvey Spencer 13,259 38.0 +13.4
Labour Co-op William Hirst 12,35335.3+4.4
Unionist Vernon Willey 9,33426.7−17.8
Majority 9062.7N/A
Turnout 34,94682.2+17.4
Liberal gain from Unionist Swing

Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Bradford South
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
C Unionist Vernon Willey 11,94944.5
Co-operative Party William Hirst 8,29130.9
Liberal George Muff 6,61324.6
Majority 3,65813.6
Turnout 26,85364.8
Unionist win (new seat)
Cindicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A borough 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. ↑ "Bradford South: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Constituency data: electorates – House of Commons Library". Parliament UK. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "History of Bradford". Visit Bradford. Archived from the original on 15 April 2008. Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  4. 1 2 "Seat Details - Bradford South". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  5. ↑ "2021 census results: Ethnic groups in your constituency". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  6. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 9 Yorkshire and the Humber region.
  7. ↑ "Hansard 1803-2005". Bradford South 1918-. UK Parliament. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Election results for Bradford South". City of Bradford Council. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  9. ↑ "Bradford South results". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  10. ↑ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  11. ↑ "Bradford South Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 1 November 2019.
  12. ↑ "Bradford South parliamentary constituency". BBC News. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  13. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "Bradford South". BBC News. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  15. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "UK > England > Yorkshire & the Humber > Bradford South". Election 2010. BBC. 7 May 2010. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
  17. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  22. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Craig, F.W.S., ed. (1969). British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 . Glasgow: Political Reference Publications. p.  102. ISBN   0-900178-01-9.

53°46′N1°46′W / 53.767°N 1.767°W / 53.767; -1.767

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