South_Swindon

South Swindon (UK Parliament constituency)

South Swindon (UK Parliament constituency)

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South Swindon is a constituency[n 1] in the Borough of Swindon, Wiltshire, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Sir Robert Buckland, a Conservative[n 2], who previously served as Justice Secretary and Welsh Secretary.

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Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat will be formally renamed Swindon South, to be first contested at the next general election.[2]

Boundaries

Map of current boundaries

1997–2010: The Borough of Thamesdown wards of Central, Chiseldon, Dorcan, Eastcott, Freshbrook, Lawns, Park, Ridgeway, Toothill, Walcot, and Wroughton.

2010–present: The Borough of Swindon wards of Central, Dorcan, Eastcott, Freshbrook and Grange Park, Old Town and Lawn, Parks, Ridgeway, Shaw and Nine Elms, Toothill and Westlea, Walcot, and Wroughton and Chiseldon.

The constituency was created in 1997 from parts of the seats of Swindon that was abolished, and Devizes that remains. This seat with a population of around 93,000 incorporates the southern half of the town as well as farms and villages with hamlets to the immediate south and east of Swindon.

It used slightly amended boundaries for the 2010 election, which saw it lose South Marston to North Swindon. The border now runs from Dorcan across to Bishopstone and then down to Russley Park before running west to Barbury Castle. From there it runs north to the Roughmoor area and loops back down to incorporate West Swindon, before following the railway east through the town and back to Dorcan. Settlements outside the Swindon built-up area include Wroughton, Chiseldon, Wanborough and Liddington.[3]

Proposed

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the next general election, due by January 2025, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The Borough of Swindon wards of: Central; Chiseldon and Lawn (polling districts CLA, CLC and CLD); Covingham and Dorcan; Eastcott; Liden, Eldene and Park South; Lydiard and Freshbrook; Mannington and Western; Old Town; Shaw; Walcot and Park North.[4]

Minor changes including the transfer in of the Covingham and Nythe districts from North Swindon, offset by the transfer out of the Chiseldon and Wroughton districts to the new constituency of East Wiltshire.

History

Historically Swindon is a railway town and until the latter part of the 20th century the related works were the primary employer.[5] Today Swindon is the home of a number of large companies: examples specific to South Swindon include Intel's European headquarters,[6] Nationwide's headquarters[7] and Zurich Financial Services' UK headquarters.

Members

Created in 1997, the Swindon South constituency, swinging in line with the national average in the New Labour landslide, produced a fairly safe majority for the Labour winner. Julia Drown had a lead of more than 5,000 which was extended in 2001 to more than 7,000 but then dropped dramatically on a new candidate's selection, to just 1,353 in 2005. In 2010 Robert Buckland, a Conservative, gained South Swindon at the general election with a majority of just over 3500. In 2015, the Conservative majority increased to 5785; in 2017, the Conservative majority fell to 2,464 on a 3.5% swing to Labour. In 2019, Buckland's majority rose to 6625 (13%) and 52% of the vote with a swing of 4.1% to Conservative. These patterns suggest a seat that is more marginal than its neighbour North Swindon, and one which has acted as a bellwether of the national result. Incumbent MP Buckland was the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice between July 2019 and September 2021, and Secretary of State for Wales from July 2022.

Members of Parliament

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Elections

Elections in the 2020s

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Reform UK removed Benjamin 'Beau' Dade as their candidate in March 2024 after Hope not Hate revealed alleged "shocking far-right fantasies".[12][13][14]

Elections in the 2010s

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Elections in the 2000s

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Elections in the 1990s

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Neighbouring constituencies

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. "Electorate Figures – Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  2. "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 7 South West region.
  3. "Stand at the next general election". South West Green Party. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
  4. "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  5. "General Election 2015". southwest.greenparty.org.uk.
  6. "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  7. Taylor, Stephen P (20 April 2010). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF). Returning Officer. Swindone Borough Council. Retrieved 21 April 2010.
  8. "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  9. "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  10. "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

51.559°N 1.782°W / 51.559; -1.782


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