Hazel Grove (UK Parliament constituency)

Constituency profile

The constituency was first used at the February 1974 general election, having previously formed part of the Cheadle constituency. It covers the south-eastern edge of the Greater Manchester conurbation and an area of countryside to the east bordering the Peak District. Residents are wealthier than average for the North West and the UK as a whole.

Boundaries

1974–1983: The Urban Districts of Bredbury and Romiley, Hazel Grove and Bramhall, and Marple.

From 1 April 1974 until the next boundary review came into effect for the 1983 general election, the constituency comprised parts of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport in Greater Manchester, but its boundaries were unchanged.

1983–2010: The Metropolitan Borough of Stockport wards of Bredbury, Great Moor, Hazel Grove, Marple North, Marple South and Romiley. :Bramhall was transferred back to Cheadle. The Great Moor ward, incorporating the community of Offerton, was transferred from the abolished Stockport South constituency.

2010–2024: The Metropolitan Borough of Stockport wards of Bredbury and Woodley, Bredbury Green and Romiley, Hazel Grove, Marple North, Marple South and High Lane, and Offerton. :Boundaries adjusted to take account of revision of local authority wards.

2024–present: The Metropolitan Borough of Stockport wards of Bredbury and Woodley, Bredbury Green and Romiley, Hazel Grove, Manor, Marple North, Marple South and High Lane, and Offerton. :To bring the electorate within the permitted range, the Manor ward was transferred from the constituency of Stockport.

Political history

At its first election in February 1974, the seat was won by Michael Winstanley of the Liberal Party, who had been the MP for Cheadle between 1966 and 1970. Winstanley only held it for a few months because, at the general election in October 1974, he lost to the Conservatives' Tom Arnold.

Arnold held the seat until 1997, although (with the exception of the 1979 election) this was with small majorities over the local Liberals/SDP-Liberal Alliance/Liberal Democrats' candidate. At the 1997 general election, Arnold stood down and the seat was taken by Andrew Stunell of the Liberal Democrats. Stunell held the seat until his retirement in 2015, although with reduced majorities.

The Conservative share of the vote fell in Hazel Grove in both the 2001 and 2005 general elections, from a (winning) peak under Tom Arnold of 44.8% in 1992 to a low of 29.7% in 2005. Following three failed attempts to increase the share of the vote (1997, 2001 and 2005), this decline was reversed in the 2010 election by Annesley Abercorn, who achieved a 33.6% share of the vote (+3.9%) and a 2.4% swing from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives.

In 2015, Conservative William Wragg captured the seat with a majority of 15.8% on a swing of 15.2%. He retained the seat at the 2017 and 2019 elections, albeit with slightly reduced majorities. Wragg stood down for the 2024 election, having resigned the Conservative Party whip earlier in the year. Subsequently the seat was taken for the Liberal Democrats by Lisa Smart at her fourth attempt, with Labour moving into second place in the seat for the first time, the Conservatives dropping into third.

Members of Parliament

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

|reg. electors=72,843 Changes are from the notional 2019 results on the 2024 boundaries. Swing shown is Con to LD as the Con were previous incumbents, despite falling to third place.

Elections in the 2010s

| access-date = 11 May 2015}}

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

| reg. electors = 63,630

Elections in the 1970s

Notes

References

Sources

• Election results 1974–2001

References

1. "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North West". Boundary Commission for England.
2. [https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Hazel+Grove%7C Electoral Calculus]
3. Craig, Fred W. S.. (1972). "Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885–1972". Political Reference Publications.
4. "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983".
5. "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995".
6. "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007".
7. "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023".
8. {{Rayment-hc. h. 2. (March 2012)
9. (9 July 2024). "Election results for Hazel Grove". [[Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council]].
10. "Notional election for the constituency of Hazel Grove". UK Parliament.
11. "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". [[UK Parliament]].
12. "Statement of persons nominated 2019".
13. "Hazel Grove parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
14. "Election Data 2015". [[Electoral Calculus]].
15. "Election Data 2010". [[Electoral Calculus]].
16. "Election Data 2005". [[Electoral Calculus]].
17. "Election Data 2001". [[Electoral Calculus]].
18. "Election Data 1997". [[Electoral Calculus]].
19. "Election Data 1992". [[Electoral Calculus]].
20. (9 April 1992). "UK General Election results April 1992". Politics Resources.
21. "Election Data 1987". [[Electoral Calculus]].
22. "Election Data 1983". [[Electoral Calculus]].
23. "BBC/ITN NOTIONAL ELECTION 1979". BBC/ITN.
24. "1970 notional general election & February 1974 general election". BBC.