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Aldridge-Brownhills (UK Parliament constituency)

Coordinates: 52°37′N 1°56′W / 52.61°N 1.93°W / 52.61; -1.93
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"Aldridge-Brownhills" redirects here. For the former urban district, see Aldridge-Brownhills Urban District.

Aldridge-Brownhills
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Map
Boundaries since 2024
Map of constituency
Boundary of Aldridge-Brownhills in West Midlands region
CountyWest Midlands
Population76,974 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate73,122 (2023)[2]
Borough
Major settlementsAldridge, Brownhills, Pelsall
Current constituency
Created1974 (1974)
Member of ParliamentWendy Morton (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromWalsall North and Walsall South

Aldridge-Brownhills (/ˈɔːldrɪdʒ ˈbraʊnhɪlz/ AWL-drij BROWN-hilz) is a constituency[n 1] in the West Midlands, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament.[n 2] It has been represented since 2015 by Wendy Morton, a Conservative.[3]

Constituency profile

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The constituency covers Aldridge and Brownhills as well as a patchwork of smaller towns and villages within Walsall, West Midlands. The seat is described as a safe seat for the Conservative party.[4] Residents are around average in terms of wealth for the UK.[5]

Demographics

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Ethnicity 2021 Census[citation needed]
White – 85.3%
Asian – 8.6%
Black – 2.0%
Mixed – 2.4%
Other – 1.6%
Religion 2021 Census[citation needed]
Christian – 53.6%
Muslim – 2.2%
Hindu – 1.3%
Sikh – 5.2%
Other or non-religious – 37.7%

History

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Aldridge-Brownhills constituency was created in 1974 from parts of the former seats of Walsall North and Walsall South. It is one of four constituencies covering the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall.[6] It covers the north-east and east of the borough. It was initially held by the Labour Party at the two 1974 general elections, when the constituency included most of Pheasey, a ward of the same name, then a stronger area for Labour than much of the rest,[citation needed] which was moved into Walsall South in 1983 to account for population expansion in the seat. Pheasey was moved back into the constituency for the 2024 general election.

The constituency has had just three different MPs since its formation in February 1974. Geoff Edge of the Labour Party served the constituency from February 1974 until 1979, when it was gained by Richard Shepherd of the Conservative Party; who was to represent the constituency for thirty-six years, even withstanding the 1997 Labour landslide on a below average Conservative-to-Labour swing. In 2014 Sir Richard Shepherd announced he would not stand for re-election at the 2015 general election. Wendy Morton, was selected to replace him as the Conservative candidate, and secured the seat with a safe majority of 11,723 votes. This was increased over the next two elections and, in 2019, the majority was over 50%. Morton held onto the seat in the 2024 Labour landslide, but her majority was drastically reduced to 10.3%.

Boundaries

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Map
Map of 2010-2024 boundaries

1974–1983: The Urban District of Aldridge-Brownhills.

1983–2010: The Metropolitan Borough of Walsall wards of Aldridge Central and South, Aldridge North and Walsall Wood, Brownhills, Hatherton Rushall, Pelsall, and Streetly.

2010–2024: The Metropolitan Borough of Walsall wards of Aldridge Central and South, Aldridge North and Walsall Wood, Brownhills, Pelsall, Rushall-Shelfield, and Streetly.

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

  • The Borough of Walsall wards of: Aldridge Central and South; Aldridge North and Walsall Wood; Brownhills; Paddock (polling districts UE and UF); Pelsall; Pheasey Park Farm; Rushall-Shelfield; Streetly[7]

To bring the electorate within the permitted range, the seat was expanded to the south by transferring in the Pheasey Park Farm ward and part of the Paddock ward from the former constituency of Walsall South which was abolished in 2024.

Members of Parliament

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Election Member[8] Party
Feb 1974 Geoff Edge Labour
1979 Richard Shepherd Conservative
2015 Wendy Morton

Elections

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Aldridge-Brownhills election results

Elections in the 2020s

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General election 2024: Aldridge-Brownhills[9][10]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Wendy Morton 15,901 38.8 −30.7
Labour Luke Davies 11,670 28.5 +6.9
Reform UK Graham Eardley 9,903 24.2 +23.5
Liberal Democrats Ian Garrett 1,755 4.3 −1.3
Green Clare Nash 1,746 4.3 +2.5
Majority 4,231 10.3 N/A
Turnout 40,975 57.8 −7.0
Registered electors 70,867
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 18.9

Elections in the 2010s

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General election 2019: Aldridge-Brownhills[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Wendy Morton 27,850 70.8 Increase 5.4
Labour David Morgan 8,014 20.4 Decrease 9.4
Liberal Democrats Ian Garrett 2,371 6.0 Increase 2.7
Green Bill McComish 771 2.0 New
Monster Raving Loony Mark Beech 336 0.9 Decrease 0.5
Majority 19,836 50.4 Increase 14.8
Turnout 39,342 65.4 Decrease 2.1
Registered electors 60,138
Conservative hold Swing Increase 7.4
General election 2017: Aldridge-Brownhills[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Wendy Morton 26,317 65.4 Increase 13.4
Labour John Fisher 12,010 29.8 Increase 7.4
Liberal Democrats Ian Garrett 1,343 3.3 Decrease 0.1
Monster Raving Loony Mark Beech 565 1.4 Increase 0.9
Majority 14,307 35.6 Increase 6.0
Turnout 40,235 67.5 Increase 1.7
Registered electors 60,363
Conservative hold Swing Increase 3.0
Wendy Morton was elected for the seat in 2015.
General election 2015: Aldridge-Brownhills[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Wendy Morton 20,558 52.0 Decrease 7.3
Labour John Fisher 8,835 22.4 Increase 2.6
UKIP Anthony Thompson 7,751 19.6 New
Liberal Democrats Ian Garrett 1,330 3.4 Decrease 14.3
Green Martyn Curzey 826 2.1 Decrease 0.1
Monster Raving Loony Mark Beech 197 0.5 New
Majority 11,723 29.6 Decrease 9.9
Turnout 39,497 65.8 Increase 0.7
Registered electors 60,215
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 4.9
General election 2010: Aldridge-Brownhills[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 22,913 59.3 Increase 11.1
Labour Ashiq Hussain 7,647 19.8 Decrease 12.9
Liberal Democrats Ian Jenkins 6,833 17.7 Increase 5.8
Green Karl Macnaughton 847 2.2 New
Christian Sue Gray 394 1.0 New
Majority 15,256 39.5 Increase 25.6
Turnout 38,644 65.1 Increase 1.6
Registered electors 58,909
Conservative hold Swing Increase 12.0

Elections in the 2000s

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General election 2005: Aldridge-Brownhills[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 18,744 47.4 Decrease 2.8
Labour John D. Phillips 13,237 33.5 Decrease 6.7
Liberal Democrats Roy M. Sheward 4,862 12.3 Increase 3.7
BNP William R. Vaughan 1,620 4.1 New
UKIP Graham Eardley 1,093 2.8 New
Majority 5,507 13.9 Increase 3.9
Turnout 39,556 64.0 Increase 3.4
Registered electors 61,289
Conservative hold Swing Increase 2.0
General election 2001: Aldridge-Brownhills[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 18,974 50.2 Increase 3.1
Labour Ian D. Geary 15,206 40.2 Decrease 1.5
Liberal Democrats Monica Howes 3,251 8.6 Decrease 2.6
Socialist Alliance John D. Rothery 379 1.0 New
Majority 3,768 10.0 Increase 4.6
Turnout 37,810 60.6 Decrease 13.7
Registered electors 62,361
Conservative hold Swing Increase 2.3

Elections in the 1990s

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General election 1997: Aldridge-Brownhills[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 21,856 47.1 Decrease 7.2
Labour Janos Toth 19,330 41.7 Increase 8.4
Liberal Democrats Celia M. Downie 5,184 11.2 Decrease 1.2
Majority 2,526 5.4 Decrease 15.6
Turnout 46,370 74.3 Decrease 8.3
Registered electors 62,441
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 7.8
General election 1992: Aldridge-Brownhills[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 28,431 54.3 Increase 0.9
Labour Neil E. Fawcett 17,407 33.3 Increase 5.0
Liberal Democrats Stewart Reynolds 6,503 12.4 Decrease 5.9
Majority 11,024 21.0 Decrease 3.9
Turnout 52,341 82.6 Increase 2.8
Registered electors 63,404
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 2.0

Elections in the 1980s

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General election 1987: Aldridge-Brownhills[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 26,434 53.4 Increase 2.7
Labour Clive Duncan 14,038 28.3 Increase 3.4
SDP Glynn Betteridge 9,084 18.3 Decrease 6.1
Majority 12,936 25.1 Decrease 0.7
Turnout 49,556 79.8 Increase 1.5
Registered electors 62,129
Conservative hold Swing Decrease 0.4
General election 1983: Aldridge-Brownhills[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 24,148 50.7 Increase 0.4
Labour Ray Burford[22] 11,864 24.9 Decrease 14.5
SDP Peter Gunn[22] 11,599 24.4 New
Majority 12,284 25.8 Increase 14.9
Turnout 47,611 78.3 Decrease 4.2
Registered electors 60,803
Conservative hold Swing Increase 7.45

Elections in the 1970s

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General election 1979: Aldridge-Brownhills
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Richard Shepherd 26,289 50.3 Increase 11.9
Labour Geoff Edge 20,621 39.4 Decrease 4.1
Liberal John Aldridge 5,398 10.3 Decrease 7.4
Majority 5,668 10.9 Increase 5.8
Turnout 52,308 82.5 Increase 2.8
Registered electors 63,377
Conservative gain from Labour Swing Increase 8.0
General election October 1974: Aldridge-Brownhills
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Edge 21,403 43.5 Increase 4.8
Conservative A.J.M. Teacher 18,884 38.4 Increase 0.5
Liberal Dr John A. Crofton[23] 8,693 17.7 Decrease 5.7
More Prosperous Britain Tom Keen 210 0.4 New
Majority 2,519 5.1 Increase 4.3
Turnout 49,190 79.7 Decrease 3.5
Registered electors 61,731
Labour hold Swing Increase 2.2
General election February 1974: Aldridge-Brownhills
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Geoff Edge 19,642 38.7 N/A
Conservative Patricia Hornsby-Smith 19,276 37.9 N/A
Liberal Dr John A. Crofton[23] 11,883 23.4 N/A
Majority 366 0.8 N/A
Turnout 50,801 83.2 N/A
Registered electors 61.028
Labour win (new seat)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ A borough 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

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  1. ^ "Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  2. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – West Midlands". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  3. ^ "MPs of the House of Commons". Members of Parliament. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  4. ^ Thandi, Gurdip (13 December 2019). "It's as you were in the 2019 General Election in Walsall". BirminghamLive. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  5. ^ "Seat Details - Aldridge-Brownhills". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  6. ^ "2024 General Election results for Walsall Borough | Walsall Council". go.walsall.gov.uk.
  7. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 8 West Midlands region.
  8. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "A" (part 1)
  9. ^ Bennett, Emma (7 June 2024). "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll, Election of a Member of Parliament, Aldridge-Brownhills Constituency" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Aldridge-Brownhills - General election results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
  11. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED AND NOTICE OF POLL" (PDF). elections.walsall.gov.uk. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  12. ^ "Statement of persons nominated and notice of poll" (DOC). Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 5 June 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
  13. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  19. ^ "1992 general election results". Election 1992. Politics Resources. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  20. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  21. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ^ a b "Election Line-Up". Birmingham Mail. 6 June 1983. p. 24.
  23. ^ a b "'Barriers Must Go' – Liberal". Walsall Observer. 27 September 1974. p. 7.
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52°37′N 1°56′W / 52.61°N 1.93°W / 52.61; -1.93

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