Wirral West (UK Parliament constituency)

Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1983 onwards

Wirral West

County constituency
for the House of Commons

Boundary of Wirral West in North West England

County| Merseyside
Electorate| 72,126 (2023)[1]
Major settlements| Greasby, Heswall, Hoylake, Irby, Pensby, West Kirby
Current constituency
Created| 1983
Member of Parliament| Matthew Patrick (Labour)
Seats| One
Created from| Wirral

Wirral West is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament by Matthew Patrick of the Labour Party since 2024.

## Constituency profile

[edit]

The constituency is one of four covering the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. It includes Greasby, Hoylake, West Kirby, Woodchurch, parts of Upton (with other parts of Upton in the Wallasey constituency), Irby, Pensby and Heswall. This is one of the more affluent areas within Merseyside,[2] reflected in higher house prices and wages than the wider North West region.[3]

## History

[edit]

Wirral West was created in 1983 from the northern part of the former Wirral constituency, which had traditionally elected Conservative MPs. Selwyn Lloyd was the predecessor constituency's MP from 1945 to 1976, serving as Foreign Secretary during the Eden ministry, Chancellor of the Exchequer during the Macmillan ministry and becoming Speaker of the Commons in 1971. Raised to the peerage in 1976, Lloyd resigned his seat and the ensuing by-election was won by David Hunt, who became the first MP for Wirral West in 1983. Hunt was a Cabinet member under Margaret Thatcher and John Major, serving as Secretary of State for Employment and twice as Secretary of State for Wales.

Hunt held the seat until 1997, when he lost to barrister Stephen Hesford of the Labour Party, but remained in Parliament as a member of the House of Lords. Hesford increased his majority in 2001 and narrowly retained the seat in 2005, despite a challenge at the latter election from former TV presenter and Conservative Esther McVey. On 22 January 2010, he announced his intention to step down at the next general election for family reasons.

New boundary changes implemented, McVey stood again and won the seat for the Conservatives at the 2010 general election, serving in the coalition government as a Work and Pensions minister during her tenure. If implemented in 2005, the 2010 boundary changes would have seen the Conservatives win the seat by 569 votes.

Wirral West had been described as a bellwether since its establishment,[4][5] but bucked the trend at the 2015 general election when Labour's Margaret Greenwood narrowly defeated McVey, despite the Conservatives winning a parliamentary majority. McVey would successfully contest the Tatton constituency in 2017. Like the nearby City of Chester, the seat was one of the few Conservative-held marginals outside of London to be gained by Labour, who benefited from the constituency's collapse in Liberal Democrat support.

Sixth on the Conservative target list in 2017, Greenwood was comfortably re-elected to Wirral West with the highest winning vote share since the seat was first up for election in 1983. She was promoted to Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet as the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary in 2018, shadowing McVey who had returned to Parliament as the MP for Tatton. Greenwood was re-elected with a reduced vote share in 2019, and departed from the shadow cabinet upon Keir Starmer's election as Labour leader. She did not stand at the 2024 election and was succeeded by Matthew Patrick who increased Labour's majority to 20%.

## Boundaries

[edit]

### Historic

[edit]

1983–2010: Metropolitan Borough of Wirral wards of Hoylake, Prenton, Royden, Thurstaston, and Upton.

2010–2024: Metropolitan Borough of Wirral wards of Greasby, Frankby and Irby, Hoylake and Meols, Pensby and Thingwall, Upton, and West Kirby and Thurstaston.

In the 2005 Boundary Commission report, which came into effect for the 2010 election, Wirral West lost Prenton to the Birkenhead constituency, and gained a small area from Wirral South, including the village of Barnston.

### Current

[edit]

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following wards of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

* Clatterbridge; Greasby, Frankby and Irby; Heswall; Hoylake and Meols; Pensby and Thingwall; Upton (polling districts MC, MD and ME); West Kirby and Thurstaston.[6]

To bring the electorate within the permitted range, the Clatterbridge and Heswall wards were added from the abolished constituency of Wirral South. The northern part of the Upton ward was transferred to Wallasey.

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

Election | Member[7] | Party

|
|

| 1983 | David Hunt | Conservative
| 1997 | Stephen Hesford | Labour
| 2010 | Esther McVey | Conservative
| 2015 | Margaret Greenwood | Labour
| 2024 | Matthew Patrick | Labour

## Elections

[edit]

### Elections in the 2020s

[edit]

General election 2024: Wirral West[8][9] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Matthew Patrick | 23,156  | 46.4  | +1.2
| Conservative | Jenny Johnson  | 13,158  | 26.3  | –18.1
| Reform UK | Ken Ferguson  | 6,422  | 12.9  | +10.7
| Green | Gail Jenkinson  | 4,160  | 8.3  | +5.8
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Reisdorf  | 3,055  | 6.1  | +0.4
Rejected ballots  | 187  |  |
Majority | 9,998  | 20.0  | +19.2
Turnout | 49,951  | 68.6  | –9.1
Registered electors | 72,838  |  |
| Labour hold | Swing | 9.6  |

Changes are from the notional 2019 results on the 2024 boundaries.[10]

### Elections in the 2010s

[edit]

2019 notional result[11]

Party  | Vote  | %
| Labour | 25,318 | 45.2
| Conservative | 24,863 | 44.4
| Liberal Democrats | 3,204 | 5.7
| Green | 1,416 | 2.5
| Brexit Party | 1,245 | 2.2
Turnout | 56,046  | 77.7
Electorate | 72,126
General election 2019: Wirral West[12] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Margaret Greenwood | 20,695  | 48.2  | –6.1
| Conservative | Laura Evans  | 17,692  | 41.2  | –0.9
| Liberal Democrats | Andy Corkhill  | 2,706  | 6.3  | +3.7
| Green | John Coyne  | 965  | 2.2  | +1.2
| Brexit Party | John Kelly  | 860  | 2.0  | N/A
Majority | 3,003  | 7.0  | –5.2
Turnout | 42,918  | 77.5  | –1.1
Registered electors | 55,550  |  | –0.8
| Labour hold | Swing | –2.6  |
General election 2017: Wirral West[13] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Margaret Greenwood | 23,866  | 54.3  | +9.2
| Conservative | Tony Caldeira  | 18,501  | 42.1  | –2.1
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Reisdorf  | 1,155  | 2.6  | –0.8
| Green | John Coyne  | 429  | 1.0  | N/A
Majority | 5,365  | 12.2  | +11.3
Turnout | 42,951  | 78.6  | +3.0
Registered electors | 55,995  |  | +1.1
| Labour hold | Swing | +5.7  |
General election 2015: Wirral West[14] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Margaret Greenwood | 18,898  | 45.1  | +8.8
| Conservative | Esther McVey | 18,481  | 44.2  | +1.7
| UKIP | Hilary Jones  | 2,772  | 6.6  | +4.3
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Reisdorf  | 1,433  | 3.4  | –13.4
| Independent | David James  | 274  | 0.7  | –0.1
Majority | 417  | 0.9  | N/A
Turnout | 41,858  | 75.6  | +4.1
Registered electors | 55,377  |  | +0.6
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +3.6  |
General election 2010: Wirral West[15] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | Esther McVey | 16,726  | 42.5  | +0.7
| Labour | Phil Davies | 14,290  | 36.3  | −4.0
| Liberal Democrats | Peter Reisdorf  | 6,630  | 16.8  | +0.5
| UKIP | Philip Griffiths  | 899  | 2.3  | +1.1
| Independent | David Kirwan  | 506  | 1.3  | N/A
| Common Sense  | David James  | 321  | 0.8  | N/A
Majority | 2,436  | 6.2  |
Turnout | 39,372  | 71.5  |
Registered electors | 55,050  |  |
| Conservative win (new boundaries)

See also: Opinion polling in United Kingdom constituencies, 2010–15 § Wirral West

### Elections in the 2000s

[edit]

General election 2005: Wirral West[16] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Stephen Hesford | 17,543  | 42.5  | –4.7
| Conservative | Esther McVey | 16,446  | 39.9  | +2.7
| Liberal Democrats | Jeffrey Clarke  | 6,652  | 16.1  | +0.5
| UKIP | John Moore  | 429  | 1.0  | N/A
| Alternative  | Roger Taylor  | 163  | 0.4  | N/A
Majority | 1,097  | 2.6  | –7.4
Turnout | 41,233  | 67.5  | +2.5
Registered electors | 61,050  |  | –2.0
| Labour hold | Swing | –3.7  |
General election 2001: Wirral West[17][18] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Stephen Hesford | 19,105  | 47.2  | +2.3
| Conservative | Chris Lynch  | 15,070  | 37.2  | –1.8
| Liberal Democrats | Simon Holbrook  | 6,300  | 15.6  | +2.9
Majority | 4,035  | 10.0  | +4.1
Turnout | 40,475  | 65.0  | –12.0
Registered electors | 62,294  |  | +2.3
| Labour hold | Swing | +2.1  |

### Elections in the 1990s

[edit]

General election 1997: Wirral West[19] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Labour | Stephen Hesford | 21,035  | 44.9  | +13.9
| Conservative | David Hunt | 18,297  | 39.0  | –13.7
| Liberal Democrats | John Thornton  | 5,945  | 12.7  | –1.9
| Referendum | Derek Wharton  | 1,613  | 3.4  | N/A
Majority | 2,738  | 5.9  | N/A
Turnout | 46,890  | 77.0  | –4.6
Registered electors | 60,908  |  | –2.5
| Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +13.8  |
General election 1992: Wirral West[20][21] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Hunt | 26,852  | 52.7  | +0.8
| Labour | Helen Stephenson  | 15,788  | 31.0  | +4.7
| Liberal Democrats | John Thornton  | 7,420  | 14.6  | –5.6
| Green | Garnette Bowler  | 700  | 1.4  | –0.2
| Natural Law | Nigel Broome  | 188  | 0.4  | N/A
Majority | 11,064  | 21.7  | –3.9
Turnout | 50,948  | 81.6  | +3.7
Registered electors | 62,453  |  | –1.8
| Conservative hold | Swing | –2.0  |

### Elections in the 1980s

[edit]

General election 1987: Wirral West[22] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

|
|
|
|

| Conservative | David Hunt | 25,736  | 51.9  | –4.0
| Labour | Alexander Dunn  | 13,013  | 26.3  | +4.5
| Liberal | Allan Brame  | 10,015  | 20.2  | –2.2
| Green | David Burton  | 806  | 1.6  | N/A
Majority | 12,723  | 25.6  | –7.9
Turnout | 49,570  | 77.9  | +4.5
Registered electors | 63,597  |  | +3.2
| Conservative hold | Swing | –4.3  |
General election 1983: Wirral West[23] Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %

|
|
|

| Conservative | David Hunt | 25,276  | 55.9
| Liberal | Stephen Mulholland  | 10,125  | 22.4
| Labour | John McCabe  | 9,855  | 21.8
Majority  | 15,151  | 33.5
Turnout | 45,256  | 73.4
Registered electors | 61,646  |
| Conservative win (new seat)

## See also

[edit]

* List of parliamentary constituencies in Merseyside

## 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 30 July 2024.
2. ^ UK Polling Report http://ukpollingreport.co.uk/2015guide/wirralwest/
3. ^ Electoral Calculus https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/seatdetails.py?seat=Wirral+West
4. ^ Joe Thomas (22 April 2015). "General election 2015: 'Kingmaker' Wirral West voters hold keys to Downing Street". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
5. ^ Harry Lambert (20 April 2015). "What are the top seats to watch in the election?". New Statesman. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
6. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
7. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "W" (part 4)
8. ^ "Election results for Wirral West". Wirral Council. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
9. ^ "Wirral West - General Election Results 2024". BBC News. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
10. ^ "Notional election for the constituency of Wirral West". UK Parliament.
11. ^ "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.
12. ^ "Election results for WIRRAL WEST, 12 December 2019". democracy.wirral.gov.uk. 12 December 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
13. ^ "Election results for WIRRAL WEST, 8 June 2017". democracy.wirral.gov.uk. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
14. ^ "Election Result for Wirral West Constituency on 7 May 2015 | WIRRAL Borough Council". www.wirral.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
15. ^ "Election Result for Wirral West constituency on 6 May 2010". ww3.wirral.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
16. ^ "Parliamentary Election results 2005 |". ww3.wirral.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
17. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
18. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Wirral West". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 7 June 2021.
19. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
20. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
21. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
22. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
23. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.

## External links

[edit]

* Wirral West UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK
* Wirral West UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
* Wirral West UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK

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