Stevenage (UK Parliament constituency)

Constituency profile

The main town is known for its fast rail links to London and proximity to Luton Airport which accompanies a few headquarters of global businesses based in the seat. Workless claimants, registered jobseekers, were in November 2012 higher than the national average of 3.8%, and eastern regional average of 3.2%, at 4.0% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian.

History

The constituency was created in 1983 primarily from the abolished seat of Hertford and Stevenage. A Southern England new town seat with volatile voting patterns, like its main predecessor, it was a bellwether of the national result; it was Conservative held between 1983 and 1997 until Labour easily gained it, but their winning margin in 2005 was small and the Conservatives gained the seat at the 2010 election, it being their 72nd target. It remained Conservative until 2024 when it was regained by Labour amidst their national landslide victory.

The seat was held for Labour by Barbara Follett who achieved two ministerial roles from 2007 until 2010.

Boundaries and boundary changes

1983–1997

The constituency was formed primarily from the majority of the abolished constituency of Hertford and Stevenage. The wards of Codicote and Knebworth were transferred from the abolished constituency of Hitchin, and the wards of Cottered and Mundern from the abolished constituency of East Hertfordshire.

1997–2010

The District of East Hertfordshire wards of Cottered, Mundern and Watton-at-Stone were transferred to the new constituency of North East Hertfordshire.

2010–2024

Walkern ward transferred to North East Hertfordshire.

2024–present

The 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, which was based on the ward structures in place on 1 December 2020, left the boundaries virtually unchanged. However, following local government boundary reviews in East Hertfordshire and North Hertfordshire which came into effect in May 2023 and May 2024 respectively, the constituency now comprises the Borough of Stevenage, as well as the villages of Codicote and Knebworth to the south and Aston and Datchworth to the east.

Members of Parliament

Hertford & Stevenage prior to 1983

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

| reg. electors = 70,086

Elections in the 2010s

| reg. electors = 71,562

| reg. electors = 70,765

| reg. electors = 70,597

| reg. electors = 68,937

Elections in the 2000s

| reg. electors = 66,889 | reg. electors = 69,203

Elections in the 1990s

| reg. electors = 66,889

url=http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge92/i18.htm|title=UK General Election results April 1992|date=9 April 1992|work=Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources|publisher=Politics Resources|access-date=2010-12-06}} | reg. electors = 70,233

Elections in the 1980s

| reg. electors = 69,525 | reg. electors = 67,706

Notes

References

References

1. [https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2010/nov/17/unemployment-and-employment-statistics-economics Unemployment claimants by constituency] ''[[The Guardian]]''
2. "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983".
3. "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995".
4. "The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 2007".
5. "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023".
6. LGBCE. "East Hertfordshire {{!}} LGBCE".
7. LGBCE. "North Hertfordshire {{!}} LGBCE".
8. [http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7032/7032_iv.pdf 2010 post-revision map non-metropolitan areas and unitary authorities of England]
9. {{Rayment-hc. s. 5. (March 2012)
10. "Stevenage - General election results 2024". [[BBC News]].
11. "Stevenage Parliamentary constituency". BBC.
12. (9 June 2017). "Stevenage parliamentary constituency - Election 2017 - BBC News". [[BBC Online]].
13. "Election Data 2015". [[Electoral Calculus]].
14. (8 May 2015). "Stevenage parliamentary constituency - Election 2015 - BBC News". [[BBC Online]].
15. "Election Data 2010". [[Electoral Calculus]].
16. (7 May 2010). "Stevenage". [[BBC Online]] ([[BBC]]).
17. "Election Data 2005". [[Electoral Calculus]].
18. "Election Data 2001". [[Electoral Calculus]].
19. "Election Data 1997". [[Electoral Calculus]].
20. "Election Data 1992". [[Electoral Calculus]].
21. "Election Data 1987". [[Electoral Calculus]].
22. "Election Data 1983". [[Electoral Calculus]].
23. "BBC/ITN NOTIONAL ELECTION 1979". BBC/ITN.