Crewe and Nantwich (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Crewe and Nantwich

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Interactive map of boundaries from 2024

Boundary of Crewe and Nantwich in North West England

County| Cheshire
Electorate| 76,236 (2023)[1]
Major settlements| Crewe, Nantwich
Current constituency
Created| 1983
Member of Parliament| Connor Naismith (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from| Crewe, Nantwich

Crewe and Nantwich is a constituency in Cheshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament. It was created in 1983; since 2024 its Member of Parliament (MP) has been Connor Naismith of the Labour Party.

## Constituency profile

[edit]

The constituency was created for the 1983 general election following the major reorganisation of local authorities under the Local Government Act 1972, which came into effect on 1 April 1974. It combined parts of the abolished separate constituencies of Crewe and Nantwich and reunited the towns of Crewe and Nantwich in one constituency.

The seat is marginal as Crewe tends to vote Labour, and Nantwich and the surrounding Cheshire villages are more Conservative-inclined. Its residents are slightly poorer than the UK average.[2]

## Political history

[edit]

The seat had been a marginal seat since 2008, as its winner's majority had not exceeded 11.8% of the vote since the 18.9% majority won in that year. A swing seat, it has changed hands three times since 2008. Its 2017 general election result was the eighth-closest result, a winning margin of 48 votes.[3] In 2019, the Conservative candidate secured a 15.7% majority. The 2024 General Election saw a 20.7% majority in favour of Labour.

On its formation for the 1983 general election, the Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody, who had served for the previous constituency of Crewe, came close to losing her second seat in 1983 (she had earlier lost her Exeter seat in 1970), when she scraped in by just 290 votes. Dunwoody increased her majorities at the general elections of 1987, 1992 and 1997. Her majority was slightly reduced at the 2001 and 2005 general elections. She died on 17 April 2008, after 34 years representing the seat and its predecessor, leading to a by-election held on 22 May 2008 which was won by the Conservative candidate Edward Timpson.[4][5][6][7] The Labour candidate, Dunwoody's daughter Tamsin, came a distant second. Having previously enjoyed a considerable lead in support over the Conservatives (as indicated in Gwyneth Dunwoody's over 7,000 majority in 2005), the Labour government had lost support due to the onset of the Great Recession and Gordon Brown’s relatively weak image as a leader.

The by-election produced the first Conservative MP for the seat and nationally the first gain for a Conservative Party candidate at a parliamentary by-election since the Mitcham and Morden by-election in 1982 during the Falklands War, and the first from Labour since the Ilford North by-election of 1978.

Timpson held the seat until 2017, where Labour's Laura Smith gained it with a narrow majority of just 48 votes, the closest margin in the seat's history and the second-narrowest Labour gain of the election (behind Kensington, at 20 votes). In the 2019 general election the Conservatives regained the seat with a majority of 8,508 on a swing of 7.9% to the Conservatives, with Kieran Mullan becoming the new MP. Edward Timpson became the Conservatives' 2019 candidate for Eddisbury, replacing Antoinette Sandbach, who lost the whip earlier that year due to her opposition to a no-deal Brexit; Timpson regained the seat for the Conservatives.

The 2024 general election saw Labour’s Connor Naismith regain the seat from the Conservatives on a swing of 16.1% to Labour.

## Boundaries

[edit]

Map of boundaries 2010-2024

1983–1997: The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich wards of Acton, Alexandra, Audlem, Barony Weaver, Bunbury, Combermere, Coppenhall, Delamere, Grosvenor, Maw Green, Minshull, Peckforton, Queens Park, Ruskin Park, St Barnabas, St John's, Shavington, Waldron, Wellington, Weston Park, Willaston East, Willaston West, Wistaston, Wrenbury, and Wybunbury[8]

Comprised the former Municipal Borough of Crewe, previously making up about half of the abolished constituency of Crewe, together with Nantwich and remaining parts of the new Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (excluding Haslington), previously in the abolished constituency of Nantwich

1997–2010: The Borough of Crewe and Nantwich wards of Alexandra, Barony Weaver, Coppenhall, Delamere, Grosvenor, Haslington, Maw Green, Queens Park, Ruskin Park, St Barnabas, St John's, Shavington, Waldron, Wellington, Weston Park, Willaston East, Willaston West, Wistaston, and Wybunbury[9]

The rural wards of Acton, Audlem, Bunbury, Combermere, Minshull, Peckforton, and Wrenbury were transferred to Eddisbury. To compensate for this loss, Haslington was transferred from Congleton

2010–2024: The Borough of Cheshire East wards of Crewe Central, Crewe East, Crewe North, Crewe St Barnabas, Crewe South, Crewe West, Haslington, Leighton (most), Nantwich North & West, Nantwich South & Stapeley, Shavington, Willaston & Rope, Wistaston, and Wybunbury.

2024–present: The Borough of Cheshire East wards of Crewe Central, Crewe East, Crewe North, Crewe St Barnabas, Crewe South, Crewe West, Haslington, Leighton, Nantwich North & West, Nantwich South & Stapeley, Shavington, Willaston & Rope, and Wistaston.[10]

Wybunbury moved to Chester South and Eddisbury to bring the electorate within the permitted range.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Election | Member[11] | Party

|
|

| 1983 | Gwyneth Dunwoody | Labour
| 2008 by-election | Edward Timpson | Conservative
| 2017 | Laura Smith | Labour
| 2019 | Kieran Mullan | Conservative
| 2024 | Connor Naismith | Labour

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Crewe and Nantwich[12][13][14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Connor Naismith | 20,837  | 44.1  | +4.9
| Conservative | Ben Fletcher  | 11,110  | 23.5  | −27.3
| Reform UK | Matthew Wood  | 9,602  | 20.3  | +17.7
| Liberal Democrats | Matt Theobald  | 2,286  | 4.8  | −0.3
| Green | Te Ata Browne  | 2,151  | 4.6  | +2.7
| Putting Crewe First  | Brian Silvester  | 588  | 1.2  | N/A
| Workers Party | Phillip Lane  | 373  | 0.8  | N/A
| Monster Raving Loony | Lord Psychobilly Tractor  | 250  | 0.5  | N/A
Rejected ballots  | 140  |  |
Majority  | 9,727  | 20.6  | N/A
Turnout | 47,197  | 60.2  | –5.6
Registered electors | 78,423  |  |
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | 16.1  |

Changes are from notional results of the 2019 election, using the new boundaries.[15]

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

2019 notional result[16]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Conservative | 25,511 | 50.8
| Labour | 19,695 | 39.2
| Liberal Democrats | 2,573 | 5.1
| Brexit Party | 1,317 | 2.6
| Green | 951 | 1.9
| Others | 149 | 0.3
Turnout | 50,196  | 65.8
Electorate | 76,236
General election 2019: Crewe and Nantwich[17] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Kieran Mullan | 28,704  | 53.1  | +6.1
| Labour | Laura Smith | 20,196  | 37.4  | −9.7
| Liberal Democrats | Matthew Theobald  | 2,618  | 4.8  | +2.4
| Brexit Party | Matt Wood  | 1,390  | 2.6  | N/A
| Green | Te Ata Browne  | 975  | 1.8  | N/A
| Libertarian | Andrew Kinsman  | 149  | 0.3  | N/A
Majority  | 8,508  | 15.7  | N/A
Turnout | 54,032  | 67.3  | −2.4
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +7.9  |
General election 2017: Crewe and Nantwich[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Laura Smith | 25,928  | 47.1  | +9.4
| Conservative | Edward Timpson | 25,880  | 47.0  | +2.0
| UKIP | Michael Stanley  | 1,885  | 3.4  | −11.1
| Liberal Democrats | David Crowther  | 1,334  | 2.4  | −0.4
Majority  | 48  | 0.1  | N/A
Turnout | 55,027  | 69.7  | +2.3
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +3.7  |
General election 2015: Crewe and Nantwich[19][20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Timpson | 22,445  | 45.0  | −0.8
| Labour | Adrian Heald  | 18,825  | 37.7  | +3.7
| UKIP | Richard Lee  | 7,252  | 14.5  | +11.7
| Liberal Democrats | Roy Wood  | 1,374  | 2.8  | −12.2
Majority  | 3,620  | 7.3  | −4.5
Turnout | 49,896  | 67.4  | +1.5
| Conservative hold | Swing | −2.3  |
General election 2010: Crewe and Nantwich[21][22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Timpson | 23,420  | 45.8  | +12.9
| Labour | David Williams  | 17,374  | 34.0  | −14.4
| Liberal Democrats | Roy Wood  | 7,656  | 15.0  | −3.7
| UKIP | James Clutton  | 1,414  | 2.8  | N/A
| BNP | Phil Williams  | 1,043  | 2.0  | N/A
| Independent | Mike Parsons  | 177  | 0.3  | N/A
Majority  | 6,046  | 11.8  | N/A
Turnout | 51,084  | 65.9  | −2.0
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +17.6  |

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

2008 by-election: Crewe and Nantwich[6][7] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Edward Timpson | 20,539  | 49.5  | +16.9
| Labour | Tamsin Dunwoody | 12,679  | 30.6  | −18.2
| Liberal Democrats | Elizabeth Shenton  | 6,040  | 14.6  | −4.0
| UKIP | Mike Nattrass | 922  | 2.2  | N/A
| Green | Robert Smith  | 359  | 0.9  | N/A
| English Democrat | David Roberts  | 275  | 0.7  | N/A
| Monster Raving Loony | The Flying Brick  | 236  | 0.6  | N/A
| Independent | Mark Walklate  | 217  | 0.5  | N/A
| Cut Tax on Diesel and Petrol  | Paul Thorogood  | 118  | 0.3  | N/A
| Independent | Gemma Garrett | 113  | 0.3  | N/A
Majority  | 7,860  | 18.9  | N/A
Turnout | 41,498  | 58.2  | −1.8
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +17.6  |
General election 2005: Crewe and Nantwich[23][24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Gwyneth Dunwoody | 21,240  | 48.8  | −5.5
| Conservative | Eveleigh Moore-Dutton  | 14,162  | 32.6  | +2.2
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Roberts  | 8,083  | 18.6  | +5.1
Majority  | 7,078  | 16.2  | −6.7
Turnout | 43,485  | 60.0  | −0.2
| Labour hold | Swing | -3.7  |
General election 2001: Crewe and Nantwich[25][24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Gwyneth Dunwoody | 22,556  | 54.3  | −3.9
| Conservative | Donald Potter  | 12,650  | 30.4  | +3.4
| Liberal Democrats | David Cannon  | 5,595  | 13.5  | +1.8
| UKIP | Roger Croston  | 746  | 1.8  | N/A
Majority  | 9,906  | 23.9  | −7.3
Turnout | 41,547  | 60.2  | −13.7
| Labour hold | Swing | −3.8  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Crewe and Nantwich[26][24] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Gwyneth Dunwoody | 29,460  | 58.2  | +10.6
| Conservative | Michael Loveridge  | 13,662  | 27.0  | −11.5
| Liberal Democrats | David Cannon  | 5,940  | 11.7  | −0.8
| Referendum | Peter Astbury  | 1,543  | 3.0  | N/A
Majority  | 15,798  | 31.2  | +26.8
Turnout | 50,605  | 73.9  | −8.0
| Labour hold | Swing | +13.4  |
General election 1992: Crewe and Nantwich[27][24][28] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Gwyneth Dunwoody | 28,065  | 45.7  | +1.7
| Conservative | Brian Silvester  | 25,370  | 41.3  | −0.8
| Liberal Democrats | Gwyn Griffiths  | 7,315  | 11.9  | −2.0
| Green | Natalie Wilkinson  | 651  | 1.1  | N/A
Majority  | 2,695  | 4.4  | +2.5
Turnout | 61,401  | 81.9  | +2.6
| Labour hold | Swing | +1.3  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Crewe and Nantwich[29][30] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Gwyneth Dunwoody | 25,457  | 44.0  | +2.9
| Conservative | Angela Browning | 24,365  | 42.1  | +1.5
| SDP | Kenneth Roberts  | 8,022  | 13.9  | −4.4
Majority  | 1,092  | 1.9  | +1.4
Turnout | 57,844  | 79.3  | +4.6
| Labour hold | Swing |  |
General election 1983: Crewe and Nantwich[31][32] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Gwyneth Dunwoody | 22,031  | 41.1  |
| Conservative | Patrick Rock | 21,741  | 40.6  |
| SDP | John Pollard  | 9,820  | 18.3  |
Majority  | 290  | 0.5  |
Turnout | 53,592  | 74.7  |
| Labour win (new seat)

## See also

[edit]

* Cheshire portal

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Cheshire
* History of parliamentary constituencies and boundaries in Cheshire

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
2. ^ "Seat Details - Crewe and Nantwich". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk.
3. ^ "GE2017: Marginal seats and turnout". House of Commons Library. UK Parliament. 23 June 2017.
4. ^ "MP Gwyneth Dunwoody dies aged 77". BBC News. 17 April 2008.
5. ^ "By-election to replace veteran MP". BBC News. 29 April 2008.
6. ^ a b Watt, Nicholas (23 May 2008). "Conservatives win Crewe and Nantwich byelection with 7,860 majority". The Guardian. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
7. ^ a b "Tories snatch Crewe from Labour". BBC News. 23 May 2008. Retrieved 23 May 2008. "Tory candidate Edward Timpson won 7,860 more votes than his Labour rival, overturning a 7,000 Labour majority at the general election – a 17.6% swing"
8. ^ "Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983" (PDF). 16 March 1983 - via Legislation.gov.uk.
9. ^ "Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995". 28 June 1995. Retrieved 27 November 2021 - via Legislation.gov.uk.
10. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
11. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "C" (part 6)
12. ^ Crewe and Nantwich
13. ^ "STATEMENT OF PERSONS NOMINATED AND NOTICE OF POLL" (PDF). Cheshire East Council. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
14. ^ "Crewe and Nantwich election results". Cheshire East Council. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
15. ^ "Notional election for the constituency of Crewe and Nantwich on 12 December 2019". UK Parliament.
16. ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
17. ^ "Crewe & Nantwich". Election 2019. BBC News. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
18. ^ "Crewe & Nantwich". Election 2017. BBC News. 9 June 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
19. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
20. ^ "General Election 2015 – Crewe and Nantwich". BBC News. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
21. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
22. ^ General Election 2010 – Crewe and Nantwich BBC News
23. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
24. ^ a b c d ""Aristotle: Crewe and Nantwich". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.
25. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
26. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
27. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
28. ^ "UK General Election results April 1992". Political Science Resources. Richard Kimber. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
29. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
30. ^ "UK General Election results June 1987". Political Science Resources.
31. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
32. ^ "UK General Election results June 1983". Political Science Resources. Archived from the original on 22 May 2008. Retrieved 18 April 2008.

## External links

[edit]

* Crewe and Nantwich UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
* Crewe and Nantwich UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
* Crewe and Nantwich UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

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