The constituency was created in 1974 and held by the Labour Party until 2019, other than a period between 2010 and 2015 when it was held by the Liberal Democrats. It has been Conservative since 2019.
Boundaries
1974–1983: The County Borough of Teesside wards of Coatham, Eston Grange, Kirkleatham, Ormesby, Redcar, and South Bank. 1983–1997: The Borough of Langbaurgh wards of Bankside, Church Lane, Coatham, Dormanstown, Eston, Grangetown, Kirkleatham, Newcomen, Normanby, Ormesby, Overfields, Redcar, South Bank, Teesville, and West Dyke. 1997–2010: The Borough of Langbaurgh-on-Tees wards of Coatham, Dormanstown, Eston, Grangetown, Kirkleatham, Longbeck, Newcomen, Normanby, Ormesby, Redcar, St Germain's, South Bank, Teesville, and West Dyke. 2010–present: The Borough of Redcar and Cleveland wards of Coatham, Dormanstown, Eston, Grangetown, Kirkleatham, Longbeck, Newcomen, Normanby, Ormesby, St Germain's, South Bank, Teesville, West Dyke, and Zetland. The Redcar constituency on the Cleveland coast is formed from parts of the Redcar and Cleveland district. It takes its name from the coastal resort of Redcar although much of the population lives in the traditionally solid Labour areas between Redcar and Middlesbrough. It also includes Dormanstown, Kirkleatham and Marske-by-the-Sea. Once held by the former Secretary of State for Northern IrelandMo Mowlam, the seat was gained by the Liberal Democrats in the 2010 general election on a massive 21.8% swing from Labour, the largest swing in England since the Second World War outside of by-elections. In 2015, however, the sitting MP Ian Swales did not seek re-election, and Labour regained the seat on another huge swing of 18.9% away from the Liberal Democrats, who polled just ahead of UKIP with the Conservatives in fourth. In 2019, the seat was one of a number of long standing Labour seats in the north of England which fell to the Conservatives.
The constituency had a slightly higher unemployment at the end of 2012 than the North-East average. However, it had a significantly lower claimant count, owing to its exports and manufacturing industry, than nearby Middlesbrough. Average incomes based on the latest income available, not markedly lower than the national average.
