Wolverhampton South East (UK Parliament constituency)

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Wolverhampton South East is a constituency^{[n 1]} in West Midlands that was created in 1974. The seat has been represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom by Pat McFadden of the Labour Party since 2005.^{[n 2]} McFadden currently serves as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster under the government of Keir Starmer.

Boundaries

Historic

1974–1983: The County Borough of Wolverhampton wards of Bilston East, Bilston North, Blakenhall, Ettingshall, Parkfield, and Spring Vale.

1983–2010: The Metropolitan Borough of Wolverhampton wards of Bilston East, Bilston North, Blakenhall, East Park, Ettingshall, and Spring Vale.

2010–2024: The City of Wolverhampton wards of Bilston East, Bilston North, Blakenhall, East Park, Ettingshall, and Spring Vale, and the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley ward of Coseley East.

Current

Further to the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, which was based on the ward structure in place on 1 December 2020, and taking into account the local government boundary review in the City of Wolverhampton which came into effect in May 2023,^[1]^[2] the constituency comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

The Metropolitan Borough of Walsall wards of: Bentley and Darlaston North; Darlaston South; Willenhall South.

The City of Wolverhampton wards of: Bilston North; Bilston South; East Park; Ettingshall North; Ettingshall South & Spring Vale; and a small part of St Peters.^[3]

Significant changes to bring the electorate within the permitted range, with the town of Darlaston being transferred from Walsall South, and the town of Willenhall (Willenhall South ward) from Walsall North. This was partly offset by the transfer of the City of Wolverhampton ward of Blakenhall to the re-established constituency of Wolverhampton West, and the Borough of Dudley ward of Coseley East to the newly created seat of Tipton and Wednesbury.

Wolverhampton South East is one of three constituencies in the city of Wolverhampton, covering eastern and south-eastern parts of the city. The constituency includes the towns of Willenhall, Darlaston and Bilston.

The boundaries run south from the city centre towards Blakenhall and Goldthorn Park, and east towards Bentley and Darlaston. Since the 2010 general election, it has also included a small part of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. Since the 2024 general election, it has also included a part of the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall and no longer included a part of the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley.

History

The constituency was established in 1974, in part replacing the former Bilston constituency. It has returned Labour MPs throughout its existence, thus making it unique amongst Wolverhampton's three current constituencies. Bob Edwards of the Labour and Co-operative parties, who had represented Bilston since 1955, was the constituency's first MP. He served until 1987, when he was succeeded by Dennis Turner (also Labour Co-operative), who stood down in 2005. Pat McFadden of the Labour Party has been the MP since then. Following the 2019 general election, it is the only one of the three Wolverhampton seats to be held by Labour. The last time this was the case was in the 1987-92 Parliament, when the same two of the three Wolverhampton seats were Conservative-held.

Members of Parliament

Bilston prior to 1974

Election		Member^[4]	Party
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" \|	Feb 1974	Robert Edwards	Labour Co-op
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" \|	1987	Dennis Turner	Labour Co-op
style="color:inherit;background-color: Template:Party color" \|	2005	Pat McFadden	Labour