Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)

Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency)
source
Name	Wimbledon
Parliament	uk
Map1	Wimbledon2007
Map2	EnglandLondon
Map entity	Greater London
Map year	1974
Type	Borough
County	Greater London
Electorate	66,268 (December 2010)
European	London
Year	1885
Abolished	1918
Year2	1974
Mp	Stephen Hammond
Party	Conservative
Region	England
European	London

Wimbledon (UK Parliament constituency) is a parliamentary constituency in the London Borough of Merton, electing a single Member of Parliament to the House of Commons. It was first created for the 1885 general election, abolished in 1918, and then re-established in the February 1974 general election. The seat has been held continuously by the Conservative Party since its re-establishment, with the current MP being Stephen Hammond.

History

The constituency was first created by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, taking in areas from the former Mid Surrey seat. It was abolished under the Representation of the People Act 1918, with its territory divided between the new Mitcham and Kingston upon Thames constituencies. The modern seat was re-established in 1974 from parts of the former Merton and Morden constituency. Historically a Liberal stronghold, it became a safe Conservative seat after World War II, a trend that continued after its revival. Notable political events include the 1987 general election, where the SDP-Liberal Alliance came a strong second.

Boundaries

The constituency covers the northern part of the London Borough of Merton, corresponding to the Wimbledon town area and its surrounding wards. As defined by the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, it comprises the wards of Wimbledon Park, Hillside, Wimbledon Village, Raynes Park, and Dundonald. The boundary review by the Boundary Commission for England prior to the 2010 general election made minor adjustments, transferring the Village ward from the neighbouring Mitcham and Morden seat. The constituency is bordered by Putney, Tooting, Mitcham and Morden, and Kingston and Surbiton.

Members of Parliament

The first MP for the original constituency was Henry Chaplin of the Conservative Party, elected in 1885. In the modern era, the seat has been held by Conservative MPs since 1974: Michael Havers (1974–1987), Charles Goodson-Wickes (1987–1997), and Roger Casale (1997–2005) of the Labour Party briefly interrupted this run. The current MP, Stephen Hammond, was first elected in the 2005 general election and has served as a Minister of State for Transport and Minister of State for Health and Social Care.

Elections

Elections in the modern constituency have consistently been contested between the Conservative and Labour parties, with the Liberal Democrats also performing strongly in several contests. The 1997 general election saw a rare Labour victory amid the Tony Blair landslide. The 2010, 2015, 2017, and 2019 general elections were all won by the Conservative candidate with comfortable majorities. Notable candidates have included Shas Sheehan for the Liberal Democrats and Andrew Judge for the Labour Party.

Demographics

The population is predominantly White British, with significant British Asian and Black British communities. The area includes affluent neighbourhoods such as Wimbledon Village and Wimbledon Park, as well as more suburban areas like Raynes Park. Key employers and institutions include the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon College, and King's College School, Wimbledon. The constituency is served by several National Rail stations, including Wimbledon station, and is part of the London Assembly constituency of Merton and Wandsworth.

Notes and references

Category:Parliamentary constituencies in London (historic) Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1885 Category:Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1974