Hemel Hempstead (UK Parliament constituency)

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox UK constituency main Hemel Hempstead is a constituency in Hertfordshire represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system. Since 2024, it has been represented by David Taylor of the Labour Party.

Constituency profile

In its current form (post-2024 boundary changes), the seat covers the new town of Hemel Hempstead which is a significant employment centre, as well as a rural area of the Chilterns to the south-west, including the villages of Bovingdon and Flaunden. Residents are slightly wealthier than the UK average.

History

The constituency was established as a Division of Hertfordshire by the Representation of the People Act 1918, largely created from the northern half of the Watford Division, including Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring. It also included north-western part of the St Albans Division, around Harpenden.

Harpenden was transferred back to St Albans in 1974 and the constituency was temporarily abolished from 1983 to 1997 during which time it was replaced by West Hertfordshire.

Boundaries and boundary changes

1918–1950

• The Municipal Borough of Hemel Hempstead;
• The Urban Districts of Berkhamsted, Harpenden, and Tring;
• The Rural Districts of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead;
• The Rural District of St Albans parishes of Harpenden Rural, Redbourn, and Wheathampstead; and
• The Rural District of Watford parishes of Abbots Langley and Sarratt.

1950–1974

• The Municipal Borough of Hemel Hempstead
• The Urban Districts of Berkhamsted, Harpenden, and Tring;
• The Rural Districts of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead; and
• The Rural District of St Albans parishes of Harpenden Rural and Redbourn.

Wheathampstead was transferred back to St Albans. Abbots Langley and Sarratt now included in the new constituency of South West Hertfordshire.

1974–1983

• The Municipal Borough of Hemel Hempstead;
• The Urban Districts of Berkhamsted and Tring; and
• The Rural Districts of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead.

Harpenden and the part of the parishes of Harpenden Rural and Redbourn were transferred back to St Albans.

The constituency was abolished for the 1983 general election. Berkhamsted and the area to the south of Hemel Hempstead, including Kings Langley, was transferred to South West Hertfordshire.  The remainder, including Hemel Hempstead and Tring, formed the new constituency of West Hertfordshire.

1997–2010

• The District of Dacorum wards of Adeyfield East, Adeyfield West, Ashridge, Bennetts End, Boxmoor, Central, Chaulden, Crabtree, Cupid Green, Flamstead and Markyate, Gadebridge, Grove Hill, Highfield, Kings Langley, Leverstock Green, Nash Mills, South, and Warners End.

Re-established for the 1997 general election from the bulk of the abolished County Constituency of West Hertfordshire (excluding Tring). Kings Langley transferred back from South West Hertfordshire.Template:Maplink

2010–2024

• The District of Dacorum wards of Adeyfield East, Adeyfield West, Apsley, Ashridge, Bennetts End, Boxmoor, Chaulden and Shrubhill, Corner Hall, Gadebridge, Grove Hill, Hemel Hempstead Central, Highfield and St Paul's, Kings Langley, Leverstock Green, Nash Mills, Warners End, Watling, and Woodhall.

Minor loss to South West Hertfordshire following revision of local authority wards.

Current

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

• The District of Dacorum wards of: Adeyfield East; Adeyfield West; Apsley and Corner Hall; Bennetts End; Bovingdon, Flaunden and Chipperfield; Boxmoor; Chaulden and Warners End; Gadebridge; Grovehill; Hemel Hempstead Town; Highfield; Leverstock Green; Nash Mills; Woodhall Farm.

Moderate changes, with Kings Langley being transferred to South West Hertfordshire, in exchange for the rural Bovingdon, Flaunden and Chipperfield ward. The rural Ashridge and Watling wards to the north were moved to the newly created seat of Harpenden and Berkhamsted.

Members of Parliament

MPs, 1918–1983

Watford and St Albans prior to 1918

Election		Member	Party
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1918	Gustavus Talbot	Coalition Conservative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1920	JCC Davidson	Coalition Conservative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1923	John Freeman Dunn	Liberal
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1924	JCC Davidson	Conservative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1937 by-election	Viscountess Davidson	Conservative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1959	James Allason	Conservative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	October 1974	Robin Corbett	Labour
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1979	Nicholas Lyell	Conservative

MPs, 1997–present

West Hertfordshire prior to 1997

Election		Member	Party
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	1997	Tony McWalter	Labour Co-operative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	2005	Sir Mike Penning	Conservative
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" |	2024	David Taylor	Labour

Election results since 1997

File:Hem. Election Results.png

Hemel Hempstead election results 1983-2024

Elections in the 2020s

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General election 2024: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Andrew Williams	11,987	27.2
		Noel Willcox	7,689	17.4
		Sammy Barry-Mears	5,096	11.6
		Sherief Hassan	2,492	5.6
Majority			4,857	11.0
Turnout			44,108	62.1
Registered electors			71,038
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	Increase18.9

• Jaymey McIvor was originally selected as the Conservative candidate, but was suspended by the party "pending the outcome of an investigation."

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result
Party		Vote	%
	Conservative	26,963	55.0
	Labour	13,802	28.1
	Liberal Democrats	5,569	11.4
	Green	1,432	2.9
	Others	1,299	2.6
Turnout		49,065	69.6
Electorate		70,496

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General election 2019: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Nabila Ahmed	14,405	28.1
		Sammy Barry	6,317	12.3
		Sherief Hassan	1,581	3.1
Majority			14,563	28.4
Turnout			51,271	69.5
Registered electors			73,737
	hold		Swing	+5.2

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General election 2017: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Mandi Tattershall	19,290	36.9
		Sally Symington	3,233	6.2
		Sherief Hassan	1,024	2.0
Majority			9,445	18.1
Turnout			52,282	69.7
Registered electors			75,011
	hold		Swing	−5.5

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General election 2015: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Tony Breslin	11,825	23.8
		Howard Koch	7,249	14.6
		Rabi Martins	2,402	4.8
		Alan Borgars	1,660	3.3
		Brian Hall	252	0.5
Majority			14,420	29.1
Turnout			49,633	66.5
Registered electors			74,616
	hold		Swing	–0.1

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General election 2010: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Richard Grayson	11,315	22.9
		Ayfer Orhan	10,295	20.8
		Janet Price	1,615	3.3
		David Alexander	1,254	2.5
		Mick Young	271	0.5
Majority			13,406	27.1
Turnout			49,471	68.0
Registered electors			72,754
	hold		Swing	+2.0

This was the highest swing from Labour to Conservative in the 2010 general election.

Elections in the 2000s

2005 notional result
Party		Vote	%
	Conservative	18,591	40.1
	Labour	18,404	39.7
	Liberal Democrats	7,856	17.0
	Others	1,483	3.2
Turnout		46,334	64.5
Electorate		71,891

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

General election 2005: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Tony McWalter	18,501	39.3
		Richard Grayson	8,089	17.2
		Barry Newton	1,518	3.2
Majority			499	1.1
Turnout			47,108	64.4
Registered electors			73,095
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	+4.6

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

General election 2001: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Paul Ivey	17,647	38.5
		Neil Stuart	5,877	12.8
		Barry Newton	970	2.1
Majority			3,742	8.2
Turnout			45,883	63.7
Registered electors			72,086
	hold		Swing	+0.8

Elections in the 1990s

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General election 1997: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Robert Jones	21,539	39.1
		Patricia Lindsley	6,789	12.3
		Peter Such	1,327	2.4
		Diana M. Harding	262	0.5
Majority			3,636	6.6
Turnout			55,092	76.6
Registered electors			71,468
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	+12.0

1992 notional result
Party		Vote	%
	Conservative	29,248	49.8
	Labour	19,090	32.5
	Liberal Democrats	9,005	15.4
	Others	1,313	2.2
Turnout		58,656	82.1
Electorate		71,471

Election results 1918–1979

Elections in the 1970s

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General election 1979: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Robin Corbett	32,964	42.3
		David Penwarden	6,314	8.1
		T Walters	649	0.8
Majority			4,989	6.4
Turnout			77,880	84.8
Registered electors			91,843
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	+3.6

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General election October 1974: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		James Allason	28,738	42.0
		CAM Baron	10,497	15.3
Majority			485	0.7
Turnout			68,458	81.7
Registered electors			83,795
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	+0.5

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

General election February 1974: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Robin Corbett	27,385	38.8
		CAM Baron	15,682	22.2
Majority			187	0.3
Turnout			70,639	85.2
Registered electors			82,877
	hold		Swing	–4.0

1970 notional result
Party		Vote	%
	Conservative	30,000	48.2
	Labour	24,800	39.9
	Liberal	7,400	11.9
Turnout		62,200	78.0
Electorate		79,737

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

General election 1970: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Peter A. Fletcher	28,067	36.10
		A. John Wilson	9,274	11.93
Majority			12,350	15.88
Turnout			77,758	78.10
Registered electors			99,561
	hold		Swing

Elections in the 1960s

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General election 1966: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Robin Corbett	29,704	41.59
		A. John Whiteside	9,970	13.96
Majority			2,038	2.86
Turnout			71,416	84.71
Registered electors			84,310
	hold		Swing

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General election 1964: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Gilbert D. Hitchcock	26,273	37.87
		A. John Whiteside	11,986	17.28
Majority			4,846	6.98
Turnout			69,378	84.52
Registered electors			82,087
	hold		Swing

Elections in the 1950s

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General election 1959: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Bernard Floud	21,954	36.29
		Margaret Neilson	8,358	13.81
Majority			8,235	13.61
Turnout			70,501	85.26
Registered electors			70,962
	hold		Swing

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General election 1955: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Norman MacKenzie	19,512	38.81
		Edwin Saich	5,111	10.17
Majority			6,136	12.21
Turnout			50,271	83.77
Registered electors			60,013
	hold		Swing

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General election 1951: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Norman MacKenzie	18,220	41.56
Majority			7,400	16.88
Turnout			43,840	83.80
Registered electors			52,313
	hold		Swing

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General election 1950: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Reg Moss	15,165	34.56
		Peter Arthur Stevens	6,696	15.26
Majority			6,857	15.62
Turnout			43,883	85.07
Registered electors			51,582
	hold		Swing

Elections in the 1940s

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General election 1945: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		DW Mobbs	14,426	32.6
		Thomas Alfred Trotter	10,219	23.1
Majority			5,110	11.6
Turnout			44,181	71.0
Registered electors			62,199
	hold		Swing	-16.0

General Election 1939–40: Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

• Conservative: Frances Davidson
• Liberal: Ian Davidson
• Labour: A W Harper

Elections in the 1930s

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1937 Hemel Hempstead by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Margery Corbett Ashby	7,347	28.3
		Charles William James	3,651	14.0
Majority			7,645	29.4
Turnout			25,990	55.0
Registered electors
	hold		Swing	-5.6

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General election 1935: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Margery Corbett Ashby	7,078	22.0
		Charles William James	4,951	15.4
Majority			12,996	40.5
Turnout			32,103	69.3
Registered electors			46,290
	hold		Swing	-1.1

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General election 1931: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Charles Thomas Le Quesne	8,021	24.6
		Albert E.R. Millar	2,677	8.2
Majority			13,925	42.6
Turnout			32,644	77.2
Registered electors
	hold		Swing

Elections in the 1920s

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General election 1929: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		Charles Thomas Le Quesne	11,631	38.3
		Albert E.R. Millar	3,624	11.9
Majority			3,514	11.5
Turnout			30,400	78.0
Registered electors			38,957
	hold		Swing	−5.3

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General election 1924: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		John Freeman Dunn	7,994	35.5
		Amy Sayle	1,553	6.9
Majority			4,991	22.1
Turnout			22,532	80.2
Registered electors			28,106
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	+21.1

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

General election 1923: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		J. C. C. Davidson	8,875	50.0
Majority			17	0.0
Turnout			17,767	65.8
Registered electors			26,990
	gain from Template:Yesno		Swing	N/A

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link

General election 1922: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
		John Harper Clynes	5,726	32.6
Majority			6,121	34.8
Turnout			17,573	66.0
Registered electors			26,627
	hold		Swing	−10.2

Template:Election box winning candidate unopposed with party link coalition 1918Template:Election box end 1918

Elections in the 1910s

1920 Hemel Hempstead by-election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	hold

Template:Election box winning candidate with party link coalition 1918 no changeTemplate:Election box majority no changeTemplate:Election box registered electors no changeTemplate:Election box new seat win no changeTemplate:Election box end 1918

See also

• List of parliamentary constituencies in Hertfordshire
• List of parliamentary constituencies in the East of England (region)

References

Specific

General

Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. Template:ISBN.

External links

• Hemel Hempstead UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
• Hemel Hempstead UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
• Hemel Hempstead UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

General election 1918: Hemel Hempstead

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
		Jesse Hawkes		22.4
Turnout			12,983	50.4