MP for St Albans

MP for St Albans represents the St Albans constituency in the House of Commons. The seat, located in Hertfordshire, has been contested since the Great Reform Act of 1832, evolving from a rotten borough to a modern borough constituency. Its political history reflects broader national trends, shifting between the Conservative and Liberal parties, and more recently the Liberal Democrats.

History of the constituency

The parliamentary borough of St Albans was first created by the Reform Act 1832, which disenfranchised the former rotten borough and established a new constituency with an expanded franchise. Historically, the city's representation was intertwined with the influence of the Spencer family and the Earl of Verulam. The constituency's boundaries have been revised several times by the Boundary Commission for England, most recently in 2023, adjusting its wards to reflect population changes. It was historically part of the Hertfordshire county constituency before its creation as a distinct borough.

List of MPs for St Albans

Since 1832, the constituency has been represented by a series of MPs from various political traditions. Early members included Benjamin Bond Cabbell of the Conservative Party and John Chetham of the Whigs. In the 20th century, notable figures included Cyril Lakin and Lord Grimston. The list encompasses representatives from the Liberal Unionist Party, the Labour Party, and the Liberal Democrats, reflecting the seat's competitive nature. The current MP, Daisy Cooper, was first elected in the 2019 general election.

Electoral history

St Albans has frequently been a marginal seat or bellwether constituency, often changing hands between major parties. It was held by the Conservative Party for much of the post-Second World War period until the 1997 election, when it was won by Kerry Pollard for the Labour Party. The Conservatives regained it in 2005 with Anne Main, who held it until 2019. That election saw a significant swing to the Liberal Democrats, with Daisy Cooper achieving a majority of over 6,000 votes. Recent elections have been influenced by national issues such as Brexit and local concerns including the High Speed 2 railway project.

Notable MPs

Several MPs for St Albans have achieved prominence beyond the constituency. Sir Peter Hordern served as a Minister of State for Trade under Margaret Thatcher and was a noted figure in the Conservative Party. Anne Main was a prominent backbencher known for her work on the Communities and Local Government Select Committee and her stance on environmental issues. Kerry Pollard served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland during the Good Friday Agreement negotiations. The current MP, Daisy Cooper, serves as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats and is the party's Health and Social Care spokesperson.

Constituency profile

The constituency covers the historic cathedral city of St Albans, including districts like Marshalswick and London Colney, and parts of the Hertfordshire countryside. It is a predominantly affluent area with a highly educated electorate, containing commuter towns with strong transport links to London via the Thameslink railway. Key local issues include pressure on infrastructure, such as the A414 road, protection of the Green Belt, and the performance of the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. The economy features a mix of professional services, retail centered on St Albans Market, and technology sectors, alongside major employers like the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and Oaklands College.

Category:St Albans Category:Westminster constituencies in Hertfordshire