Bolsover (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1950 onwards

Bolsover

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundaries since 2024

Boundary of Bolsover in the East Midlands

County| Derbyshire
Population| 94,473 (2011 census)[1]
Electorate| 74,680 (2023)[2]
Major settlements| Bolsover, Shirebrook, Clowne, South Normanton
Current constituency
Created| 1950
Member of Parliament| Natalie Fleet (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from| Clay Cross and North East Derbyshire

Bolsover (/ˈbɒlsˌoʊvər/, /ˈbɒlzˌoʊvər/ and commonly /boʊzər/) is a constituency in Derbyshire, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament by Natalie Fleet, a member of the Labour Party. The constituency was created in 1950, and is centred on the town of Bolsover.

Between 1970 and 2019, the constituency was represented by Labour's Dennis Skinner, who by 2019 was the oldest member of the House of Commons and the second longest-serving. At the constituency's inception it was one of the safest Labour seats in the country, but over the following half century Skinner's vote share dropped from 77% in 1970, still holding a high vote share of 65% in 2005, to only 36% in 2019, with the result that he lost the seat to the Conservatives by a margin of 11%. The seat was regained by Labour in 2024, in part due to the two right-wing parties, Reform UK and the Conservative Party intensely splitting the vote. Labour's share of the vote was still well below what they had been getting before Brexit.

## History

[edit]

Before the Reform Act 1832, relatively wealthy people (forty-shilling freeholders) of the whole county could attend elections when there was an opposition candidate. From 1868 until 1885 the area formed part of the East Derbyshire constituency, redrawn out of the North Derbyshire constituency formed in 1832. The Bolsover constituency was created in 1950 from parts of the constituencies of North East Derbyshire, formed in 1885, and Clay Cross, formed in 1918.

## Boundaries

[edit]

Boundaries of Bolsover from 1983 to 2010

1950–1983: The Urban District of Bolsover, and the Rural Districts of Blackwell and Clowne.

1983–2010: The District of Bolsover, and the District of North East Derbyshire wards of Morton, Pilsley, Shirland, and Sutton.

2010–2024: The District of Bolsover, and the District of North East Derbyshire wards of Holmewood and Heath, Pilsley and Morton, Shirland, and Sutton.

2024-present: Following the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency (based on the ward structure which existed on 1 December 2020) is unchanged, subject to a minor adjustment due to ward boundary changes in the District of North East Derbyshire.[3]

## Constituency profile

[edit]

The seat includes many former mining communities. Before 2019 it was a Labour Party stronghold, although the then MP Dennis Skinner's share of the popular vote dropped to 50% in the 2010 election from a high of 77.5% (see below), amongst social and boundary changes. Its economy faced struggles after the last closures in the early 1990s of the coal pits upon which the area thrived for many years. Bolsover's tourism industry has emerged in recent years, including accommodation and tours involving Bolsover Castle, owned by English Heritage, and Hardwick Hall, home of Bess of Hardwick.

Skinner, who held the seat from 1970 until 2019, was between 2017 and 2019 the second longest serving MP in the Commons after Kenneth Clarke.[4] In the 2010 reforms to the constituency, Labour won 50% of the votes cast. At the 2017 general election, Skinner's majority was cut to little more than 5,000, the first time the Labour majority in the seat had ever been lower than 10,000. He lost his bid to be re-elected in 2019 losing to Conservative candidate Mark Fletcher.

The majority of voters in the area voted in favour of Brexit during the 2016 referendum; this was the preferred outcome of the then local MP Dennis Skinner. This considerable turn out in favour of Brexit resulted in Reform UK to include it in its priority list of constituencies for the 2024 General Election.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Election | Member[5] | Party

|
|

| 1950 | Harold Neal | Labour
1970 | Dennis Skinner
| 2019 | Mark Fletcher | Conservative
| 2024 | Natalie Fleet | Labour

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Bolsover [6] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Natalie Fleet | 17,197  | 40.5  | +4.3
| Conservative | Mark Fletcher | 10,874  | 25.5  | –22.1
| Reform UK | Robert Reaney  | 9,131  | 21.5  | +12.9
| Green | David Kesteven  | 3,754  | 8.8  | +7.2
| Liberal Democrats | David Hancock  | 1,478  | 3.5  | –0.3
Majority  | 6,323  | 14.9  | N/A
Turnout | 42,434  | 54.9  | −6.2
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +13.2  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

General election 2019: Bolsover[7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Mark Fletcher | 21,791  | 47.4  | +6.9
| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 16,492  | 35.9  | −16.0
| Brexit Party | Kevin Harper  | 4,151  | 9.0  | New
| Liberal Democrats | David Hancock  | 1,759  | 3.8  | +0.9
| Green | David Kesteven  | 758  | 1.7  | New
| Independent | Ross Walker  | 517  | 1.1  | New
| Independent | Natalie Hoy  | 470  | 1.0  | New
Majority  | 5,299  | 11.5  | N/A
Turnout | 45,938  | 61.1  | −2.2
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +11.5  |
General election 2017: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 24,153  | 51.9  | +0.7
| Conservative | Helen Harrison  | 18,865  | 40.5  | +16.0
| UKIP | Philip Rose  | 2,129  | 4.6  | −16.4
| Liberal Democrats | Ross Shipman  | 1,372  | 2.9  | −0.4
Majority  | 5,288  | 11.4  | −15.3
Turnout | 46,519  | 63.3  | +2.2
| Labour hold | Swing | −7.7  |
General election 2015: Bolsover[8] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 22,542  | 51.2  | +1.2
| Conservative | Peter Bedford | 10,764  | 24.5  | −0.1
| UKIP | Ray Calladine  | 9,228  | 21.0  | +17.1
| Liberal Democrats | David Lomax  | 1,464  | 3.3  | −12.2
Majority  | 11,778  | 26.7  | +1.3
Turnout | 43,998  | 61.1  | +0.6
| Labour hold | Swing | +0.7  |
General election 2010: Bolsover[9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 21,995  | 50.0  |
| Conservative | Lee Rowley | 10,812  | 24.6  |
| Liberal Democrats | Denise Hawksworth  | 6,821  | 15.5  |
| BNP | Martin Radford  | 2,640  | 6.0  | New
| UKIP | Ray Calladine  | 1,721  | 3.9  | New
Majority  | 11,183  | 25.4  |
Turnout | 43,989  | 60.5  | +3.2
| Labour win (new boundaries)

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Bolsover[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 25,217  | 65.2  | −3.4
| Liberal Democrats | Denise Hawksworth  | 6,780  | 17.5  | +5.6
| Conservative | Hasan Imam  | 6,702  | 17.3  | −2.2
Majority  | 18,437  | 47.7  | −1.4
Turnout | 38,699  | 57.3  | +0.8
| Labour hold | Swing | −4.5  |
General election 2001: Bolsover[11] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 26,249  | 68.6  | −5.4
| Conservative | Simon Massey  | 7,472  | 19.5  | +2.8
| Liberal Democrats | Marie Bradley  | 4,550  | 11.9  | +2.6
Majority  | 18,777  | 49.1  | −7.8
Turnout | 38,271  | 56.5  | −14.8
| Labour hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Bolsover[12][13][14][15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 35,073  | 74.0  | +9.5
| Conservative | Richard Harwood  | 7,924  | 16.7  | −8.6
| Liberal Democrats | Ian Cox  | 4,417  | 9.3  | −0.9
Majority  | 27,149  | 57.3  | +18.1
Turnout | 47,414  | 71.3  | −7.8
| Labour hold | Swing | +9.1  |
General election 1992: Bolsover[16][17] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 33,978  | 64.5  | +8.3
| Conservative | Timothy D.R. James  | 13,323  | 25.3  | −3.0
| Liberal Democrats | Susan P. Barber  | 5,368  | 10.2  | −5.3
Majority  | 20,655  | 39.2  | +11.3
Turnout | 52,669  | 79.1  | +1.8
| Labour hold | Swing | +5.7  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Bolsover[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 28,453  | 56.2  | −0.1
| Conservative | Michael Lingens  | 14,333  | 28.3  | +1.4
| SDP | Mark Fowler  | 7,836  | 15.5  | −1.3
Majority  | 14,120  | 27.9  | −1.5
Turnout | 50,622  | 77.3  | +4.6
| Labour hold | Swing | -0.7  |
General election 1983: Bolsover[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 26,514  | 56.3  |
| Conservative | Samuel Roberts  | 12,666  | 26.9  |
| SDP | Stuart Reddish  | 7,886  | 16.8  |
Majority  | 13,848  | 29.4  |
Turnout | 47,066  | 72.7  | −5.6
| Labour win (new boundaries)

### Elections in the 1970s

[edit]

General election 1979: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 27,495  | 66.6  |
| Conservative | Anthony Favell | 10,116  | 24.5  |
| Liberal | James Ian Frost  | 3,688  | 8.9  |
Majority  | 17,379  | 42.09  |
Turnout | 41,299  | 78.31  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election October 1974: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 27,275  | 70.6  |
| Conservative | C.L. Sternberg  | 6,209  | 16.1  |
| Liberal | M. Taylor  | 5,176  | 13.4  | New
Majority  | 21,066  | 54.5  |
Turnout | 38,660  | 74.5  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election February 1974: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 30,787  | 76.5  | −1.03
| Conservative | A.R. Dix  | 9,474  | 23.5  | +1.03
Majority  | 21,313  | 52.9  | −2.06
Turnout | 40,261  | 78.4  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1970: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Dennis Skinner | 28,830  | 77.5  |
| Conservative | Ivor J Humphrey  | 8,371  | 22.5  |
Majority  | 20,459  | 55.0  |
Turnout | 37,201  | 70.76  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1960s

[edit]

General election 1966: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Harold Neal | 30,114  | 81.55  |
| Conservative | Peter C Coleman  | 6,815  | 18.45  |
Majority  | 23,299  | 63.10  |
Turnout | 36,929  | 74.62  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1964: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Harold Neal | 31,234  | 79.34  |
| Conservative | Patrick Cormack | 8,131  | 20.66  |
Majority  | 23,103  | 58.68  |
Turnout | 39,365  | 78.89  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |

### Elections in the 1950s

[edit]

General election 1959: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Harold Neal | 32,536  | 78.2  | −0.7
| Conservative | Robin Marlar | 9,076  | 21.8  | +0.7
Majority  | 23,460  | 56.4  | −1.3
Turnout | 41,612  | 82.5  | +4.9
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1955: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Harold Neal | 30,074  | 78.87  |
| Conservative | Brian RO Bell  | 8,055  | 21.13  |
Majority  | 22,019  | 57.74  |
Turnout | 38,129  | 77.57  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1951: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Harold Neal | 33,661  | 79.89  |
| Conservative | John Cordeaux | 8,472  | 20.11  |
Majority  | 25,189  | 59.78  |
Turnout | 42,133  | 85.36  |
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1950: Bolsover  Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Harold Neal | 34,017  | 80.6  |
| Conservative | John Cordeaux | 8,184  | 19.4  |
Majority  | 25,833  | 61.2  |
Turnout | 42,201  | 86.2  |
| Labour win (new seat)

## See also

[edit]

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Derbyshire

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Bolsover: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
2. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – East Midlands". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 1 East Midlands.
4. ^ "Labour legend Dennis Skinner facing shock general election defeat, says new polling". 5 November 2019.
5. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 4)
6. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED AND NOTICE OF POLL". Bolsover Council. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
7. ^ "Election Nominees 2019" (PDF). Bolsover District Council. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 November 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
8. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
9. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
10. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
11. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
12. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
13. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1997. Politics Resources. 1 May 1997. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
14. ^ C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies, p.36 (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)
15. ^ The 1997 election result is calculated relative to the notional, not the actual, 1992 result.
16. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
17. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
18. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
19. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* nomis Constituency Profile for Bolsover — presenting data from the ONS annual population survey and other official statistics.
* Bolsover UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
* Bolsover UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
* Bolsover UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

* v
* t
* e

Constituencies in the East Midlands (47)

Labour (29)|

* Amber Valley
* Bassetlaw
* Bolsover
* Broxtowe
* Chesterfield
* Corby and East Northamptonshire
* Derby North
* Derby South
* Derbyshire Dales
* Erewash
* Gedling
* High Peak
* Kettering
* Leicester West
* Lincoln
* Loughborough
* Mansfield
* Mid Derbyshire
* North East Derbyshire
* North West Leicestershire
* Northampton North
* Northampton South
* Nottingham East
* Nottingham North and Kimberley
* Nottingham South
* Rushcliffe
* Sherwood Forest
* South Derbyshire
* Wellingborough and Rushden

Conservative (15)|

* Daventry
* Gainsborough
* Grantham and Bourne
* Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
* Hinckley and Bosworth
* Leicester East
* Louth and Horncastle
* Melton and Syston
* Mid Leicestershire
* Newark
* Rutland and Stamford
* Sleaford and North Hykeham
* South Holland and The Deepings
* South Leicestershire
* South Northamptonshire

Reform UK (2)|

* Ashfield
* Boston and Skegness

Independent (1)|

* Leicester South

Authority control databases: People |

* UK Parliament

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