Rossendale and Darwen (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Rossendale and Darwen

Borough constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundary of Rossendale and Darwen in North West England

County| Lancashire
Electorate| 74,593 (2023)[1]
Major settlements| Darwen, Rawtenstall and Bacup
Current constituency
Created| 1983
Member of Parliament| Andy MacNae (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from| Rossendale, Darwen and Heywood & Royton[2]

Rossendale and Darwen is a constituency[n 1] in Lancashire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Andy MacNae of the Labour Party.[n 2]

## Boundaries

[edit]

Map of current boundaries

1983–1997: The Borough of Rossendale, and the Borough of Blackburn wards of Earcroft, Marsh House, North Turton, Sudell, Sunnyhurst, and Whitehall.

1997–2010: All the wards of the Borough of Rossendale except the Greenfield and Worsley wards, and the Borough of Blackburn wards of Earcroft, Marsh House, North Turton, Sudell, Sunnyhurst, and Whitehall.

2010–2024: The Borough of Rossendale wards of Cribden, Eden, Facit and Shawforth, Goodshaw, Greensclough, Hareholme, Healey and Whitworth, Helmshore, Irwell, Longholme, Stacksteads, and Whitewell, and the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen wards of Earcroft, East Rural, Fernhurst, Marsh House, North Turton with Tockholes, Sudell, Sunnyhurst, and Whitehall.

Darwen Ward Changes At the 2018 local elections the Darwen electoral wards were changed and renamed. They are now known as Darwen West, Darwen East, Darwen South and West Pennine. The parliamentary boundaries also included parts of the new Blackburn South and Lower Darwen, and Ewood wards.

2024–present: Under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency was defined as being composed of the following as they existed on 1 December 2020:

* The Borough of Blackburn with Darwen wards of: Blackburn South & Lower Darwen; Darwen East; Darwen South; Darwen West; West Pennine.
* The Borough of Rossendale wards of: Cribden; Eden; Facit and Shawforth; Goodshaw; Greensclough; Hareholme; Healey and Whitworth; Helmshore; Irwell; Longholme; Stacksteads; Whitewell.[3]

Minor changes to align with the revised ward boundaries in Blackburn with Darwen.

Following a local government boundary review in Rossendale which came into effect in May 2024,[4] the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

* The Borough of Blackburn with Darwen wards of: Blackburn South & Lower Darwen; Darwen East; Darwen South; Darwen West; West Pennine.
* The Borough of Rossendale wards or part wards of: Bacup; Britannia & Lee Mill; Goodshaw & Cribden; Greenfield & Eden (part); Hareholme & Waterfoot; Helmshore (most); Longholme; Whitewell & Stacksteads; Whitworth.[5]

## Constituency profile

[edit]

The constituency consists of Census Output Areas of two local government districts with similar characteristics: a working population whose income is close to the national average but varying reliance upon social housing in relative terms to the national average.[6] At the end of 2012 the unemployment rate in the constituency stood as 3.5% of the population claiming jobseekers allowance, compared to the regional average of 4.2%.[7]

The borough of Rossendale that contributes to the bulk of the population has a 21.5% of its population without a car, whereas this is 30.5% in Blackburn and outside of the seat in Burnley is 32.3%. A relatively high 24% of Rossendale's population were in 2001 without qualifications and a high 25.1% were with level 4 qualifications or above. A higher share, 28.7% of Blackburn's population lacked qualifications, however 19.8% of its population had Level 4 qualifications or above.

In terms of tenure 69.6% of homes are owned outright or on a mortgage as at the 2011 census across the Rossendale district; this compares to a similar 63.7% across Blackburn. Whereas in Ribble Valley to the north 76.6% of homes fall within this category, in Leeds the figure is 58.2% and in Manchester just 37.8%.[8]

## History

[edit]

This constituency was created in 1983 and has alternated between the two largest parties' MPs during this time; since 1997 the constituency has been a bellwether of the national result.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Election | Member[9] | Party

|
|

| 1983 | David Trippier | Conservative
| 1992 | Janet Anderson | Labour
| 2010 | Jake Berry | Conservative
| 2024 | Andy MacNae | Labour

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Rossendale and Darwen[10] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Andy MacNae | 18,247  | 40.9  | +4.3
| Conservative | Jake Berry | 12,619  | 28.3  | −28.0
| Reform UK | Daniel Matchett  | 9,695  | 21.7  | +21.3
| Green | Bob Bauld  | 2,325  | 5.2  | +2.7
| Liberal Democrats | Rowan Fitton  | 1,241  | 2.8  | −1.4
| Workers Party | Tayub Ali  | 491  | 1.1  | N/A
Majority | 5,628  | 12.6  | N/A
Turnout | 44,618  | 59.8  | −7.3
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +16.2  |

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

General election 2019: Rossendale and Darwen[11] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Jake Berry | 27,570  | 56.5  | +5.7
| Labour | Alyson Barnes  | 18,048  | 37.0  | ―7.4
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Valentine  | 2,011  | 4.1  | +1.0
| Green | Sarah Hall  | 1,193  | 2.4  | +0.8
Majority | 9,522  | 19.5  | +13.1
Turnout | 48,822  | 67.1  | ―2.1
| Conservative hold | Swing | +6.5  |

Election box candidate with party link

General election 2017: Rossendale and Darwen[12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Jake Berry | 25,499  | 50.8  | +4.2
| Labour | Alyson Barnes  | 22,283  | 44.4  | +9.3
| Liberal Democrats | Sean Bonner  | 1,550  | 3.1  | +1.5
| Green | John Payne  | 824  | 1.6  | ―0.5
Majority | 3,216  | 6.4  | ―5.1
Turnout | 50,156  | 69.2  | +2.8
| Conservative hold | Swing | ―2.6  |
General election 2015: Rossendale and Darwen[13][14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Jake Berry | 22,847  | 46.6  | +4.8
| Labour | Will Straw | 17,193  | 35.1  | +2.9
| UKIP | Clive Balchin  | 6,862  | 14.0  | +10.6
| Green | Karen Pollard-Rylance  | 1,046  | 2.1  | New
| Liberal Democrats | Afzal Anwar  | 806  | 1.6  | ―16.5
| Independent | Kevin Scranage  | 122  | 0.2  | New
| TUSC | Simon Thomas  | 103  | 0.2  | New
| Northern | Shaun Hargreaves  | 45  | 0.1  | New
Majority | 5,654  | 11.5  | +2.0
Turnout | 49,024  | 66.4  | +1.8
| Conservative hold | Swing | +1.0  |
General election 2010: Rossendale and Darwen[15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Jake Berry | 19,691  | 41.8  | +7.1
| Labour | Janet Anderson | 15,198  | 32.2  | ―10.7
| Liberal Democrats | Robert Sheffield  | 8,541  | 18.1  | +3.2
| UKIP | David Duthie  | 1,617  | 3.4  | +1.8
| National Front | Kevin Bryan | 1,062  | 2.3  | New
| English Democrat | Michael Johnson  | 663  | 1.4  | New
| Impact  | Tony Melia  | 243  | 0.5  | New
| Independent | Mike Siveri  | 113  | 0.2  | New
Majority | 4,493  | 9.5  | N/A
Turnout | 47,128  | 64.6  | +3.0
| Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | +8.9  |

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Rossendale and Darwen[16] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Janet Anderson | 19,073  | 42.9  | ―5.9
| Conservative | Nigel Adams | 15,397  | 34.6  | ―1.7
| Liberal Democrats | Mike Carr | 6,670  | 15.0  | +0.3
| BNP | Anthony Wentworth  | 1,736  | 3.9  | New
| Green | Kenneth McIver  | 821  | 1.8  | New
| UKIP | David Duthie  | 740  | 1.7  | New
Majority | 3,676  | 8.3  | ―4.4
Turnout | 44,437  | 61.5  | +2.8
| Labour hold | Swing | ―1.9  |
General election 2001: Rossendale and Darwen[17] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Janet Anderson | 20,251  | 49.0  | ―4.6
| Conservative | George Lee  | 15,281  | 36.7  | +4.5
| Liberal Democrats | Brian Dunning  | 6,079  | 14.7  | +4.1
Majority | 4,970  | 12.7  | ―8.6
Turnout | 41,358  | 58.7  | ―14.3
| Labour hold | Swing | ―4.3  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Rossendale and Darwen[18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Janet Anderson | 27,470  | 53.6  | +9.7
| Conservative | Patricia Buzzard  | 16,521  | 32.3  | ―11.4
| Liberal Democrats | Brian Dunning  | 5,435  | 10.6  | ―0.7
| Referendum | Roy Newstead  | 1,108  | 2.2  | New
| BNP | Andrew Wearden  | 674  | 1.3  | New
Majority | 10,949  | 21.3  | +21.1
Turnout | 51,208  | 73.0  | ―10.0
| Labour hold | Swing | +10.6  |
General election 1992: Rossendale and Darwen[19][20] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Janet Anderson | 28,028  | 43.9  | +5.6
| Conservative | David Trippier | 27,908  | 43.7  | ―2.9
| Liberal Democrats | Kevin Connor  | 7,226  | 11.3  | ―3.8
| Green | James Gaffney  | 596  | 0.9  | New
| Natural Law | Peter Gorrod  | 125  | 0.2  | New
Majority | 120  | 0.2  | N/A
Turnout | 63,883  | 83.0  | +2.7
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +4.2  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Rossendale and Darwen[21] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Trippier | 28,056  | 46.6  | ―0.4
| Labour | Janet Anderson | 23,074  | 38.3  | +6.5
| Liberal | Peter John Hulse  | 9,097  | 15.1  | ―6.1
Majority | 4,982  | 8.3  | ―6.9
Turnout | 60,227  | 80.3  | +2.5
| Conservative hold | Swing | ―3.5  |
General election 1983: Rossendale and Darwen[22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Trippier | 27,214  | 47.0  |
| Labour | Christopher Robinson  | 18,393  | 31.8  |
| Liberal | Michael Taylor  | 12,246  | 21.2  |
Majority | 8,821  | 15.2  |
Turnout | 57,853  | 77.8  |
| Conservative win (new seat)

## See also

[edit]

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Lancashire

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
2. ^ As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.

## 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 21 July 2024.
2. ^ "'Rossendale and Darwen', June 1983 up to May 1997". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Retrieved 13 March 2016.[permanent dead link]
3. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
4. ^ LGBCE. "Rossendale | LGBCE". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
5. ^ "Seat Details - Rossendale and Darwen". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 17 January 2025.
6. ^ 2001 Census
7. ^ Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
8. ^ 2011 census interactive maps Archived 29 January 2016 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "R" (part 2)
10. ^ "Election result for Rossendale and Darwen (Constituency)". UK Parliament. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
11. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF).
12. ^ "Rossendale & Darwen parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
13. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
14. ^ "Rossendale & Darwen". BBC News. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
15. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
16. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
17. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
18. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
19. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
20. ^ "UK General Election results April 1992". Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
21. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
22. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

## External links

[edit]

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

* v
* t
* e

Constituencies in North West England (73)

Labour (62)|

* Altrincham and Sale West
* Ashton-under-Lyne
* Barrow and Furness
* Birkenhead
* Blackley and Middleton South
* Blackpool North and Fleetwood
* Blackpool South
* Bolton North East
* Bolton South and Walkden
* Bolton West
* Bootle
* Bury North
* Bury South
* Carlisle
* Chester North and Neston
* Congleton
* Crewe and Nantwich
* Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
* Heywood and Middleton North
* Hyndburn
* Knowsley
* Lancaster and Wyre
* Leigh and Atherton
* Liverpool Garston
* Liverpool Riverside
* Liverpool Walton
* Liverpool Wavertree
* Liverpool West Derby
* Macclesfield
* Makerfield
* Manchester Central
* Manchester Rusholme
* Manchester Withington
* Mid Cheshire
* Morecambe and Lunesdale
* Oldham East and Saddleworth
* Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
* Pendle and Clitheroe
* Penrith and Solway
* Preston
* Ribble Valley
* Rochdale
* Rossendale and Darwen
* Salford
* Sefton Central
* South Ribble
* Southport
* St Helens North
* St Helens South and Whiston
* Stalybridge and Hyde
* Stockport
* Stretford and Urmston
* Wallasey
* Warrington North
* Warrington South
* West Lancashire
* Whitehaven and Workington
* Widnes and Halewood
* Wigan
* Wirral West
* Worsley and Eccles
* Wythenshawe and Sale East

Independent (3)|

* Blackburn
* Burnley
* Gorton and Denton

Conservative (3)|

* Chester South and Eddisbury
* Fylde
* Tatton

Liberal Democrats (3)|

* Cheadle
* Hazel Grove
* Westmorland and Lonsdale

Reform UK (1)|

* Runcorn and Helsby

Speaker (1)|

* Chorley

* v
* t
* e

Culture and infrastructure of the Borough of Rossendale

Transport|

* East Lancashire Railway
* Rosso
* Rawtenstall Corporation Tramways

Heritage railway stations|

* Irwell Vale
* Rawtenstall

Disused railway stations|

* Bacup
* Britannia
* Clough Fold
* Ewood Bridge and Edenfield
* Facit
* Haslingden
* Helmshore
* Shawforth
* Stacksteads
* Stubbins
* Waterfoot
* Whitworth

Schools|

* Alder Grange
* All Saints'
* Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar
* Haslingden
* The Valley Leadership
* Whitworth

Sport|

* Bacup Borough F.C.
* Bacup Cricket Club
* Haslingden Cricket Club
* Lee Quarry
* Rawtenstall Athletic F.C.
* Rawtenstall Cricket Club
* Rossendale RUFC
* Rossendale United F.C.

Media|

* Rossendale Radio

Politics|

* Council
* Council elections
* 1998
* 99
* 2000
* 02
* 03
* 04
* 06
* 07
* 08
* 10
* 11
* 12
* 14
* 15

* Constituencies: Rossendale
* By-elections: 1892
* 1900
* 04
* 17
* Rossendale and Darwen

* v
* t
* e

Culture and infrastructure of Blackburn with Darwen

Transport|

* A678 road
* Blackburn Bus Company
* Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company
* Blackburn Boulevard bus station
* Blackburn Corporation Tramways
* Blackburn Transport
* East Lancashire line
* Lancashire Union Railway
* Ribble Valley line
* Witton Weavers Way

Railway stations|

* Blackburn
* Cherry Tree
* Darwen
* Entwistle
* Mill Hill (Lancashire)
* Pleasington

Disused stations|

* Blackburn Bolton Road
* Daisyfield
* Feniscowles
* Lower Darwen
* Spring Vale
* Turton and Edgworth
* Wilpshire

Arts|

* King George's Hall
* Blackburn Cathedral
* Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery

Sport|

* Alexandra Meadows
* Barley Bank
* Blackburn Arena
* Blackburn Buccaneers
* Blackburn Hawks
* Blackburn Law F.C.
* Blackburn Olympic F.C.
* Blackburn Park Road F.C.
* Blackburn Rovers F.C.
* Darwen Cricket Club
* Darwen F.C.
* Darwen F.C. (1870)
* Darwen Old Wanderers F.C.
* East Lancashire Cricket Club
* East Lancashire Lions
* Lancashire Raptors
* Lancashire Wolverines
* Lower Chapel F.C.
* Lower Darwen F.C.
* Turton F.C.
* Witton F.C.

History|

* Blackburn (ancient parish)
* Blackburn Rural District
* Blackburnshire
* Sharples
* Turton Urban District
* Quarlton

Media|

* BBC Radio Lancashire
* The Bee
* Lancashire Telegraph
* Radio Rovers

Politics|

* Council
* Council elections
* 2004
* 06
* 07
* 08
* 14
* 15
* Darwen Town Council
* For Darwen Party

* Constituencies: Blackburn
* By-elections: 1869
* 1875
* Darwen
* By-election: 1943
* Rossendale and Darwen
* North East Lancashire
* By-election: 1880

Authority control databases: People |

* UK Parliament

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