Gateshead (UK Parliament constituency)


Gateshead is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since its 2010 recreation by Ian Mearns of the Labour Party. In every election since its recreation and before then back until 1935, there has been a different runner-up at each election.

History

First creation

The previous incarnation of the seat existed from 1832 to 1950. Among famous representatives are James Melville KC who was Solicitor General for England and Wales before he died, while holding the seat, and international statesman Konni Zilliacus who assisted in creating peaceful bilateral relations during the Cold War, including though work at the United Nations.

Second creation, current creation

;Revival
The constituency was re-established to be fought from the 2010 general election.
;Results of winning party
The 2015 result made the seat the 33rd-safest of Labour's 232 seats by percentage of majority. The majority increased by taking 2.6% more of the total votes cast compared with the percentage taken in the previous election.

Boundaries

2010–present: The Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead wards of Bridges, Chowdene, Deckham, Dunston and Teams, Felling, High Fell, Lobley Hill and Bensham, Low Fell, Saltwell, and Windy Nook and Whitehills.
The Boundary Commission's 2007-08 review led to a revived constituency of Gateshead, using parts of the abolished Gateshead East and Washington West and Tyne Bridge seats.
Under the current boundaries, the constituency is overwhelmingly White, and working-class; with 95% of its electorate identifying as White British and being in the top decile of constituencies for routine work. The area's politics are influenced by these demographics; with the exception of Low Fell, all of the wards that make up the constituency are safely Labour areas, and the constituency voted overwhelmingly to leave the European Union, like the borough as a whole.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1832–1950

MPs since 2010

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

Conservative candidate Charles White withdrew on 15 October 1931. Barr and Fennell also withdrew, but their names remained on the ballot paper.
Sir James Melville passed away on 1 May 1931, leading to a by-election on 8 June. The winner of the by-election, Herbert Evans, himself died on 7 October, the day parliament was dissolved for the 1931 general election.

Elections in the 1920s

Elections in the 1910s

Elections in the 1900s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1870s

Elections in the 1840s

Elections in the 1830s