Skipton and Ripon (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Skipton and Ripon
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Skipton and Ripon (UK Parliament constituency)
Boundaries since 2024
Yorkshire and the Humber - Skipton and Ripon constituency.svg
Boundary of Skipton and Ripon in Yorkshire and the Humber
County North Yorkshire
Electorate 77,541 (December 2019) [1]
Major settlements Masham, Ripon, Settle, Skipton
Current constituency
Created 1983
Member of Parliament Julian Smith (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created from Skipton, Ripon, Harrogate, Thirsk & Malton, Keighley, Barkston Ash and Richmond (Yorks) [2]

Skipton and Ripon is a constituency [n 1] in North Yorkshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Julian Smith, a Conservative. [n 2]

Contents

Constituency profile

The constituency covers a mainly rural area of the Yorkshire Dales. It includes the whole of the former Craven district and the northern and western parts of the former Borough of Harrogate district. The largest settlements are the town of Skipton and the city of Ripon. Smaller towns in the constituency are Bentham, Settle, Pateley Bridge and Masham.

At 1.6%, Skipton and Ripon had significantly lower than national average unemployment (3.8%) in November 2012. [3]

History

The constituency was created in 1983 from the parts of the former seats of Skipton and Ripon within the county of North Yorkshire.

Before the 2024 election, it was one of the safest seats in England, formed from an area with a long history of Conservative representation and with a large majority of its electorate having in the last election voted Conservative. It was also the constituency in 1992 that when declared, saw the Conservatives gain the 4th straight majority since 1979 and John Major re-elected as Prime Minister.

In 2024, the Conservative majority over Labour was cut from 40.4% to 3.1%.

Boundaries

Historic

1983–1997: The District of Craven, and the Borough of Harrogate wards of Almscliffe, Bishop Monkton, Boroughbridge, Fountains, Killinghall, Kirkby Malzeard, Lower Nidderdale, Mashamshire, Newby, Nidd Valley, Pateley Bridge, Ripon East, Ripon West, Wathvale, and Wharfedale Moors.

1997–2010: The District of Craven, and the Borough of Harrogate wards of Almscliffe, Bishop Monkton, Fountains, Killinghall, Kirkby Malzeard, Lower Nidderdale, Mashamshire, Nidd Valley, Pateley Bridge, Ripon East, Ripon West, and Wharfedale Moors.

2010–2024: The District of Craven, and the Borough of Harrogate wards of Bishop Monkton, Kirkby Malzeard, Lower Nidderdale, Mashamshire, Newby, Nidd Valley, Pateley Bridge, Ripon Minster, Ripon Moorside, Ripon Spa, Washburn, and Wathvale.

Current

Under the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was defined as being composed of the following as they existed on 1 December 2020:

Minor changes to take account of changes to ward boundaries in the Borough of Harrogate.

However, before the new boundaries came into effect, the District of Craven and the Borough of Harrogate were abolished and absorbed into the new unitary authority of North Yorkshire with effect from 1 April 2023. [5] Consequently, the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

Members of Parliament

ElectionMember [7] Party
1983 John Watson Conservative
1987 David Curry Conservative
2010 Julian Smith Conservative

Elections

Skipton and Ripon election results Skipton and ripon.png
Skipton and Ripon election results

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Skipton and Ripon [8]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Julian Smith 18,833 35.2 −23.7
Labour Malcolm Birks 17,18332.1+12.9
Reform UK Simon Garvey8,51615.9N/A
Liberal Democrats Andrew Murday4,1947.8−7.4
Green Andy Brown3,4466.4+1.7
Yorkshire Ryan Kett6271.2−0.8
Independent Keith Graham Tordoff4930.9N/A
Heritage Guy Phoenix1580.3N/A
Majority 1,6503.1−37.3
Turnout 53,45067.4−6.6
Registered electors 79,251
Conservative hold Swing −18.3

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result [9]
PartyVote %
Conservative 33,41658.9
Labour 10,89919.2
Liberal Democrats 8,63415.2
Green 2,6934.7
Others1,1312.0
Turnout56,77374.0
Electorate76,758
General election 2019: Skipton and Ripon [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Julian Smith 34,919 59.5 −3.2
Labour Brian McDaid11,22519.1−9.2
Liberal Democrats Andrew Murday8,70114.8N/A
Green Andy Brown2,7484.7−1.7
Yorkshire Jack Render1,1311.9−0.7
Majority 23,69440.4+6.0
Turnout 58,72474.6+0.2
Conservative hold Swing +3.0
General election 2017: Skipton and Ripon [11]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Julian Smith 36,425 62.7 +7.3
Labour Alan Woodhead16,44028.3+10.9
Green Andy Brown3,7346.4+0.7
Yorkshire Jack Render1,5392.6N/A
Majority 19,98534.4−3.6
Turnout 58,13874.4+6.8
Conservative hold Swing −1.8

In 2017, the Liberal Democrats stood aside and endorsed the Green Party. [12]

General election 2015: Skipton and Ripon [13] [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Julian Smith 30,248 55.4 +4.8
Labour Malcolm Birks9,48717.4+7.4
UKIP Alan Henderson7,65114.0+10.5
Liberal Democrats Jacquie Bell4,0577.4−25.0
Green Andy Brown3,1165.7N/A
Majority 20,76138.0+19.8
Turnout 54,55971.6+0.9
Conservative hold Swing −1.2
General election 2010: Skipton and Ripon [15] [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Julian Smith 27,685 50.6 +0.6
Liberal Democrats Helen Flynn17,73532.4+5.8
Labour Claire Hazelgrove 5,49810.0−8.2
UKIP Rodney Mills1,9093.5−1.1
BNP Bernard Allen1,4032.6N/A
Independent Roger Bell3150.6N/A
The Youth PartyDylan Gilligan950.2N/A
Virtue Currency Cognitive Appraisal Party Bob Leakey 840.2−0.4
Majority 9,95018.2−4.8
Turnout 54,72470.7+4.6
Conservative hold Swing −2.6

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Skipton and Ripon [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Curry 25,100 49.7 −2.7
Liberal Democrats Paul English13,48026.7+0.6
Labour Paul Baptie9,39318.6+1.2
UKIP Ian Bannister2,2744.5+0.3
Virtue Currency Cognitive Appraisal Party Bob Leakey 2740.5N/A
Majority 11,62023.0−3.3
Turnout 50,52172.6+6.5
Conservative hold Swing
General election 2001: Skipton and Ripon [18]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Curry 25,736 52.4 +5.9
Liberal Democrats Bernard Bateman12,80626.1+0.9
Labour Michael Dugher 8,54317.4−5.0
UKIP Nancy Holdsworth2,0414.2N/A
Majority 12,93026.3+5.0
Turnout 49,12666.1−8.6
Conservative hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Skipton and Ripon [19]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Curry 25,294 46.5 −11.9
Liberal Democrats Thomas Mould13,67425.2−1.8
Labour Robert Marchant12,17122.4+7.8
Referendum Nancy Holdsworth3,2125.9N/A
Majority 11,62021.3−10.1
Turnout 54,35174.7−6.6
Conservative hold Swing −5.1
General election 1992: Skipton and Ripon [20] [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Curry 35,937 58.4 −0.6
Liberal Democrats Richard Hall16,60727.0−1.4
Labour Katharine Allott8,97814.6+3.4
Majority 19,33031.4+0.8
Turnout 61,52281.3+3.5
Conservative hold Swing +0.4

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Skipton and Ripon [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative David Curry 33,128 59.0 −1.6
Liberal Stephen Cooksey15,95428.4−3.2
Labour Timothy Whitfield6,26411.2+3.4
Green Linda Williams8251.5N/A
Majority 17,17430.6+1.6
Turnout 56,17177.8+2.9
Conservative hold Swing +0.9
General election 1983: Skipton and Ripon [23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative John Watson 31,509 60.6
Liberal Claire Brooks 16,46331.6
Labour Margaret Billing4,0447.8
Majority 15,04629.0
Turnout 52,01674.9
Conservative win (new seat)

See also

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. "Constituency data: electorates – House of Commons Library". Parliament UK. 15 June 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. "'Skipton and Ripon', June 1983 up to May 1997". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Retrieved 14 March 2016.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
  4. "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 9 Yorkshire and the Humber region.
  5. "The North Yorkshire (Structural Changes) Order 2022".
  6. "New Seat Details - Skipton and Ripon". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
  7. Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 2)
  8. "Skipton and Ripon results". BBC News. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  9. "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.
  10. "Statement of persons nominated and notice of poll" (PDF). Craven District Council. 14 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  11. "Skipton & Ripon parliamentary constituency – Election 2017" via www.bbc.co.uk.
  12. "GENERAL ELECTION: Historic deal sees Lib/Dems stand down in Skipton and Ripon to make way for Greens". Craven Herald. 13 May 2017.
  13. "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. "Skipton & Ripon". 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 > Skipton & Ripon". 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. 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.

54°04′N1°58′W / 54.07°N 1.96°W / 54.07; -1.96