Hemel Hempstead (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Hemel Hempstead
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Hemel Hempstead (UK Parliament constituency)
Boundaries since 2024
East of England - Hemel Hempstead constituency.svg
Boundary of Hemel Hempstead in the East of England
County Hertfordshire
Electorate 70,496 (2023) [1]
Major settlements Hemel Hempstead
Current constituency
Created 1997
Member of Parliament David Taylor (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created from West Hertfordshire
19181983
SeatsOne
Type of constituency County constituency
Created from Watford and St Albans
Replaced by Hertfordshire West and Hertfordshire South West [2]

Hemel Hempstead is a constituency in Hertfordshire represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system. Since 2024, it has been represented by David Taylor of the Labour Party.

Contents

Constituency profile

In its current form (post-2024 boundary changes), the seat covers the new town of Hemel Hempstead which is a significant employment centre, as well as a rural area of the Chilterns to the south-west, including the villages of Bovingdon and Flaunden. Residents are slightly wealthier than the UK average. [3]

History

The constituency was established as a Division of Hertfordshire by the Representation of the People Act 1918, largely created from the northern half of the Watford Division, including Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring. It also included north-western part of the St Albans Division, around Harpenden.

Harpenden was transferred back to St Albans in 1974 and the constituency was temporarily abolished from 1983 to 1997 during which time it was replaced by West Hertfordshire.

Boundaries and boundary changes

1918–1950

1950–1974

Wheathampstead was transferred back to St Albans. Abbots Langley and Sarratt now included in the new constituency of South West Hertfordshire.

1974–1983

Harpenden and the part of the parishes of Harpenden Rural and Redbourn were transferred back to St Albans.

The constituency was abolished for the 1983 general election. Berkhamsted and the area to the south of Hemel Hempstead, including Kings Langley, was transferred to South West Hertfordshire.  The remainder, including Hemel Hempstead and Tring, formed the new constituency of West Hertfordshire.

1997–2010

Re-established for the 1997 general election from the bulk of the abolished County Constituency of West Hertfordshire (excluding Tring). Kings Langley transferred back from South West Hertfordshire.

Hemel Hempstead (UK Parliament constituency)
Map of boundaries 2010-2024

2010–2024

Minor loss to South West Hertfordshire following revision of local authority wards.

Current

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency is as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

Moderate changes, with Kings Langley being transferred to South West Hertfordshire, in exchange for the rural Bovingdon, Flaunden and Chipperfield ward. The rural Ashridge and Watling wards to the north were moved to the newly created seat of Harpenden and Berkhamsted.

Members of Parliament

MPs, 1918–1983

Watford and St Albans prior to 1918

ElectionMember [10] Party
1918 Gustavus Talbot Coalition Conservative
1920 J. C. C. Davidson Coalition Conservative
1923 John Freeman Dunn Liberal
1924 J. C. C. Davidson Conservative
1937 by-election The Viscountess Davidson Conservative
1959 James Allason Conservative
Oct 1974 Robin Corbett Labour
1979 Nicholas Lyell Conservative

MPs, 1997–present

West Hertfordshire prior to 1997

ElectionMember [10] Party
1997 Tony McWalter Labour Co-operative
2005 Sir Michael Penning Conservative
2024 David Taylor Labour

Election results since 1997

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Hemel Hempstead [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour David Taylor 16,844 38.2 +10.1
Conservative Andrew Williams11,98727.2−27.8
Reform UK Noel Willcox7,68917.4N/A
Liberal Democrats Sammy Barry-Mears5,09611.6+0.2
Green Sherief Hassan2,4925.6+2.7
Majority4,85711.0N/A
Turnout 44,10862.1–7.5
Registered electors 71,038
Labour gain from Conservative Swing Increase2.svg18.9

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result [13]
PartyVote %
Conservative 26,96355.0
Labour 13,80228.1
Liberal Democrats 5,56911.4
Green 1,4322.9
Others1,2992.6
Turnout49,06569.6
Electorate70,496
General election 2019: Hemel Hempstead [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Mike Penning 28,968 56.5 +1.5
Labour Nabila Ahmed14,40528.18.8
Liberal Democrats Sammy Barry6,31712.3+6.1
Green Sherief Hassan1,5813.1+1.1
Majority14,56328.4+10.3
Turnout 51,27169.5−0.2
Conservative hold Swing +5.2
General election 2017: Hemel Hempstead [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Mike Penning 28,735 55.0 +2.1
Labour Mandi Tattershall19,29036.9+13.1
Liberal Democrats Sally Symington3,2336.2+1.4
Green Sherief Hassan1,0242.01.3
Majority9,44518.111.0
Turnout 52,28269.7+3.2
Conservative hold Swing 5.5
General election 2015: Hemel Hempstead [16] [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Mike Penning 26,245 52.9 +2.9
Labour Tony Breslin11,82523.8+3.0
UKIP Howard Koch7,24914.6+12.1
Liberal Democrats Rabi Martins2,4024.8−18.1
Green Alan Borgars1,6603.3New
Independent Brian Hall2520.5New
Majority14,42029.1+2.0
Turnout 49,63366.5−1.5
Conservative hold Swing
General election 2010: Hemel Hempstead [18]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Mike Penning 24,721 50.0 +9.9
Liberal Democrats Richard Grayson 11,31522.9+6.0
Labour Ayfer Orhan10,29520.8−18.9
BNP Janet Price1,6153.3New
UKIP David Alexander1,2542.5−0.7
IndependentMick Young2710.5New
Majority13,40627.1+26.7
Turnout 49,47168.0+3.7
Conservative hold Swing +14.4

This was the highest swing from Labour to Conservative in the 2010 general election.

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Hemel Hempstead [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Mike Penning 19,000 40.3 +1.8
Labour Co-op Tony McWalter 18,50139.3−7.3
Liberal Democrats Richard Grayson 8,08917.2+4.4
UKIP Barry Newton1,5183.2+1.1
Majority4991.0N/A
Turnout 47,10864.4+2.1
Conservative gain from Labour Co-op Swing +4.6
General election 2001: Hemel Hempstead [20]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Co-op Tony McWalter 21,389 46.6 +0.9
Conservative Paul Ivey17,64738.5−0.6
Liberal Democrats Neil Stuart5,87712.8+0.5
UKIP Barry Newton9702.1New
Majority3,7428.1+1.5
Turnout 45,88362.3−14.3
Labour Co-op hold Swing +0.8

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Hemel Hempstead [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Co-op Tony McWalter 25,175 45.7
Conservative Robert Jones 21,53939.1
Liberal Democrats Patricia Lindsley6,78912.3
Referendum Peter Such1,3272.4
Natural Law Diana M. Harding2620.5
Majority3,6366.6
Turnout 55,09276.6
Labour Co-op gain from Conservative Swing

Election results 1918–1979

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Nicholas Lyell 37,953 48.73
Labour Robin Corbett 32,96442.33
Liberal David John Howard Penwarden6,3148.11
National Front T Walters6490.83New
Majority4,9896.40N/A
Turnout 77,88084.80+3.10
Conservative gain from Labour Swing
General election October 1974: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Robin Corbett 29,223 42.69
Conservative James Allason 28,73841.98
Liberal CAM Baron10,49715.33
Majority4850.71N/A
Turnout 68,45881.70−3.53
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
General election February 1974: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Allason 27,572 39.03
Labour Robin Corbett 27,38538.77
Liberal CAM Baron15,68222.20
Majority1870.26
Turnout 70,63985.23
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1970: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Allason 40,417 51.98
Labour Peter A. Fletcher28,06736.10
Liberal A. John Wilson9,27411.93
Majority12,35015.88
Turnout 77,75878.10−6.61
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Allason 31,742 44.45
Labour Robin Corbett 29,70441.59
Liberal A. John Whiteside9,97013.96
Majority2,0382.86
Turnout 71,41684.71+0.19
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1964: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Allason 31,119 44.85
Labour Gilbert D. Hitchcock26,27337.87
Liberal A. John Whiteside11,98617.28
Majority4,8466.98
Turnout 69,37884.52
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative James Allason 30,189 49.90
Labour Bernard Floud 21,95436.29
Liberal Margaret Neilson8,35813.81
Majority8,23513.61
Turnout 70,50185.26
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1955: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Frances Davidson 25,648 51.02
Labour Norman MacKenzie 19,51238.81
Liberal Edwin Saich5,11110.17New
Majority6,13612.21
Turnout 50,27183.77
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1951: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Frances Davidson 25,620 58.44
Labour Norman MacKenzie 18,22041.56
Majority7,40016.88
Turnout 43,84083.80
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1950: Hemel Hempstead
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Frances Davidson 22,022 50.18
Labour Reg Moss 15,16534.56
Liberal Peter Arthur Stevens6,69615.26
Majority6,85715.62
Turnout 43,88385.07
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Frances Davidson 19,536 44.2 −13.5
Labour DW Mobbs14,42632.6+18.6
Liberal Thomas Alfred Trotter10,21923.1−5.2
Majority5,11011.6−17.8
Turnout 44,18171.0+16.0
Conservative hold Swing -16.0

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

1937 Hemel Hempstead by-election [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Frances Davidson 14,992 57.7 −4.8
Liberal Margery Corbett Ashby 7,34728.3+6.3
Labour Charles William James3,65114.0−1.4
Majority7,64529.4−11.1
Turnout 25,99055.0−14.3
Conservative hold Swing -5.6
General election 1935: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative J. C. C. Davidson 20,074 62.5 −4.7
Liberal Margery Corbett Ashby 7,07822.0−2.6
Labour Charles William James4,95115.4+7.2
Majority12,99640.5−1.9
Turnout 32,10369.3−7.9
Conservative hold Swing -1.1
General election 1931: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative J. C. C. Davidson 21,946 67.2 +17.4
Liberal Charles Thomas Le Quesne 8,02124.6−13.7
Labour Albert E.R. Millar2,6778.2−3.7
Majority13,92542.6+31.1
Turnout 32,64477.2−0.8
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist J. C. C. Davidson 15,145 49.8 7.8
Liberal Charles Thomas Le Quesne 11,63138.3+2.8
Labour Albert E.R. Millar3,62411.9+5.0
Majority3,51411.510.6
Turnout 30,40078.02.2
Registered electors 38,957
Unionist hold Swing 5.3
General election 1924: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist J. C. C. Davidson 12,985 57.6 +27.6
Liberal John Freeman Dunn 7,99435.514.5
Labour Amy Sayle 1,5536.9New
Majority4,99122.1N/A
Turnout 22,53280.2+14.4
Registered electors 28,106
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing +21.1
General election 1923: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal John Freeman Dunn 8,892 50.0 New
Unionist J. C. C. Davidson 8,87550.017.4
Majority170.0N/A
Turnout 17,76765.80.2
Registered electors 26,990
Liberal gain from Unionist Swing N/A
General election 1922: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Unionist J. C. C. Davidson 11,847 67.4 10.2
Labour John Harper Clynes5,72632.6+10.2
Majority6,12134.820.4
Turnout 17,57366.0+15.6
Registered electors 26,627
Unionist hold Swing 10.2
1920 Hemel Hempstead by-election [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
C Unionist J. C. C. Davidson Unopposed
Unionist hold
Cindicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Hemel Hempstead [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
C Unionist Gustavus Arthur Talbot 10,07077.6
Labour Jesse Hawkes2,91322.4
Majority7,15755.2
Turnout 12,98350.4
Registered electors 25,752
Unionist win (new seat)
Cindicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

See also

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References

Specific
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General

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Sources