Stourbridge
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Stourbridge in West Midlands
Outline map
Location of West Midlands within England
CountyWest Midlands
Electorate70,225 (December 2010)[1]
Major settlementsAmblecote, Cradley, Lye, Quarry Bank, Stourbridge
Current constituency
Created1997
Member of ParliamentSuzanne Webb (Conservative)
SeatsOne
Created fromHalesowen & Stourbridge
Dudley East
Dudley West
1918–1950
SeatsOne
Type of constituencyBorough constituency
Created fromNorth Worcestershire
Replaced byOldbury and Halesowen and Dudley

Stourbridge is a constituency[n 1] in West Midlands represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2019 by Suzanne Webb, a member of the Conservative Party.[n 2] The seat was previously held by Margot James, a Conservative who lost the whip in September and October 2019 and did not run for re-election.[2]

Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat will be subject to minor boundary changes which will entail the loss of the areas of Cradley, Wollescote, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood which will move to the new constituency of Halesowen, to be first contested at the next general election.[3]

Members of Parliament

MPs 1918–1950

Election Member[4] Party
1918 John William Wilson Liberal
1922 Douglas Pielou Unionist
1927 by-election Wilfred Wellock Labour
1931 Robert Morgan Conservative
1945 Arthur Moyle Labour
1950 constituency abolished

MPs since 1997

Election Member[4] Party
1997 Debra Shipley Labour
2005 Lynda Waltho Labour
2010 Margot James Conservative
2019 Independent
2019 Suzanne Webb Conservative

Constituency profile

Much of the town consists of suburban streets, interspersed with green spaces, with the other settlements being contiguous. Stourbridge borders on green belt land, and is close to unspoiled countryside with rural Shropshire close by to the west. The Clent Hills, Kinver Edge and large areas of farmland lie to the south and west.

Workless claimants, registered jobseekers, were in November 2012 higher than the national average of 3.8%, at 4.8% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian.[5]

Boundaries

Stourbridge is one of four constituencies in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley, covering the south-west of the borough.

2010–present: The Metropolitan Borough of Dudley wards of Amblecote, Cradley and Foxcote, Lye and Wollescote, Norton, Pedmore and Stourbridge East, Quarry Bank and Dudley Wood, and Wollaston and Stourbridge Town.

1997–2010: The Metropolitan Borough of Dudley wards of Amblecote, Lye and Wollescote, Norton, Pedmore and Stourbridge East, Quarry Bank and Cradley, and Wollaston and Stourbridge West.

1918–1950: The Municipal Borough of Stourbridge, the Urban Districts of Lye and Wollescote, and Oldbury, and the Rural District of Halesowen.

History

1918–1950

Stourbridge was one of just seventeen constituencies to have a woman candidate, Mary Macarthur, to contest the 1918 general election, the first occasion some women could vote and stand in Parliamentary elections. She stood as the Labour Party candidate. Macarthur was a trades union leader and well known in the area. However the returning officer insisted she should be listed under her married name, Mrs W. C. Anderson.[6]

During this period no ministerial roles happened to have been awarded to any of the members. Prominent members in social history include: Wilfred Wellock, who wrote 13 publications, and was an early Gandhian as well as a promoter of increased localism. At the end of this period, Lord Moyle (as he became) went on to serve Oldbury and Halesowen until 1964 and in the ballot for private member's bills achieved three to legislate in respect of:

  • Humane Slaughter of Horses
  • Air Pollution
  • Children of the divorced (custody etc.) as recommended by the Royal Commission

The constituency was abolished in 1950, with the Stourbridge West and Stourbridge East wards being incorporated into the Dudley constituency. An Eastern section of the old constituency was included in the new Oldbury and Halesowen seat.

1997–date

Before recreation, in 1997, the seat's forerunner, Halesowen and Stourbridge, created in 1974, was held by a Conservative and both of its replacements, including this seat, were taken by Labour in 1997. The smaller remainder of the Eastern part of the predecessor forms part of Halesowen and Rowley Regis. To compensate for the loss of these areas, Amblecote ward was brought in from the Dudley West constituency, while the Quarry Bank & Cradley ward was brought in from Dudley East.

Labour retained the seat by just above a marginal majority at the general election in 2001, and retained it again in 2005, with a new candidate, Lynda Waltho, with a marginal majority of 1% of the vote.

Margot James regained the seat for the Conservatives at the 2010 election.

In 2015, Pete Lowe, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Stourbridge had his own beer brewed. 'Born Bred Believes' was brewed by Kinver Brewery in support of his candidacy.[7]

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

Next general election: Stourbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Cat Eccles[8]
Majority
Turnout
General election 2019: Stourbridge[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Suzanne Webb 27,534 60.3 Increase5.8
Labour Pete Lowe 13,963 30.6 Decrease7.7
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 2,523 5.5 Increase3.2
Green Andi Mohr 1,048 2.3 Increase1.3
Independent Aaron Hudson 621 1.4 New
Majority 13,571 29.7 Increase13.5
Turnout 45,689 65.4 Decrease1.8
Conservative hold Swing Increase6.7
General election 2017: Stourbridge[10][11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Margot James 25,706 54.5 Increase 8.5
Labour Pete Lowe 18,052 38.3 Increase 6.8
UKIP Glen Wilson 1,801 3.8 Decrease 13.1
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 1,083 2.3 Decrease 1.0
Green Andi Mohr 493 1.0 Decrease 1.2
Majority 7,654 16.2 Increase 1.7
Turnout 47,855 67.2
Conservative hold Swing Increase 0.9
General election 2015: Stourbridge[12]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Margot James 21,195 46.0 Increase 3.3
Labour Pete Lowe 14,501 31.5 Decrease 0.2
UKIP James Carver 7,774 16.9 Increase 12.4
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 1,538 3.3 Decrease 13.1
Green Christian Kiever 1,021 2.2 Increase 1.4
Majority 6,694 14.5 Increase 3.5
Turnout 46,029
Conservative hold Swing Increase 1.8
General election 2010: Stourbridge[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Margot James 20,153 42.7 Increase 3.4
Labour Lynda Waltho 14,989 31.7 Decrease 10.4
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 7,733 16.4 Increase 0.4
UKIP Maddy Westrop 2,103 4.5 Increase 1.8
BNP Robert Weale 1,696 3.6 New
Green Will Duckworth 394 0.8 New
Independent Alun Nicholas 166 0.4 New
Majority 5,164 11.0 N/A
Turnout 47,234 67.8 Increase 3.9
Conservative gain from Labour Swing Increase 6.9

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Stourbridge[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Lynda Waltho 17,089 41.0 Decrease 6.1
Conservative Diana Coad 16,682 40.0 Increase 2.4
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 6,850 16.4 Increase 4.3
UKIP Daniel Mau 1,087 2.6 Increase 0.7
Majority 407 1.0 Decrease 8.5
Turnout 41,708 64.7 Increase 2.9
Labour hold Swing Decrease 4.3
General election 2001: Stourbridge[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Debra Shipley 18,823 47.1 Decrease 0.1
Conservative Stephen Eyre 15,011 37.6 Increase 1.8
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 4,833 12.1 Decrease 2.2
UKIP John Knotts 763 1.9 New
Socialist Labour Mick Atherton 494 1.2 New
Majority 3,812 9.5 Decrease1.9
Turnout 39,924 61.8 Decrease 14.7
Labour hold Swing

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Stourbridge[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Debra Shipley 23,452 47.2 Increase 8.9
Conservative Warren Hawksley 17,807 35.8 Decrease 13.0
Liberal Democrats Chris Bramall 7,123 14.3 Increase 2.5
Referendum Peter Quick 1,319 2.7 New
Majority 5,645 11.4 N/A
Turnout 49,701 76.5
Labour win (new seat)

Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Stourbridge[17] Electorate 97,095
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Arthur Moyle 34,912 48.5 Increase 14.2
Conservative Robert Morgan 18,979 26.3 Decrease 17.2
Liberal Ralph Brown 18,159 25.2 Increase 3.0
Majority 15,933 22.2 N/A
Turnout 72,050 74.2 Increase 3.3
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

General Election 1939–40: Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

Elections in the 1930s

General election 1935: Stourbridge[17] Electorate 80,598
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Morgan 24,898 43.5 Increase 4.2
Labour Wilfred Wellock 19,597 34.3 Increase 1.5
Liberal Donald Finnemore 12,684 22.2 Decrease 5.8
Majority 5,301 9.2 Increase 2.7
Turnout 57,179 70.9 Decrease 11.1
Conservative hold Swing
General election 1931: Stourbridge[17] Electorate 70,324
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Robert Morgan 22,652 39.3 Increase 7.5
Labour Wilfred Wellock 18,910 32.8 Decrease 5.6
Liberal Donald Finnemore 16,121 28.0 Decrease 1.8
Majority 3,742 6.5 N/A
Turnout 57,683 82.0
Conservative gain from Labour Swing Increase 6.5

Elections in the 1920s

General election 1929: Stourbridge[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Wilfred Wellock 21,343 38.4 Increase 3.6
Unionist Stanley Reed 17,675 31.8 Decrease 7.7
Liberal Donald Finnemore 16,537 29.8 Increase 4.1
Majority 3,668 6.6 N/A
Turnout 55,555
Labour gain from Conservative Swing
1927 Stourbridge by-election[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Wilfred Wellock 16,561 41.9 Increase 7.1
Unionist Henry Hogbin 13,462 34.0 Decrease 5.5
Liberal Aneurin Edwards 9,535 24.1 Decrease 1.6
Majority 3,099 7.9 N/A
Turnout 39,558
Labour gain from Unionist Swing
General election 1924: Stourbridge[20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Douglas Pielou 16,023 39.5 -0.3
Labour Wilfred Wellock 14,113 34.8 +10.4
Liberal Geoffrey Mander 10,418 25.7 -10.1
Majority 1,910 4.7 +0.7
Turnout 40,554
Unionist hold Swing
General election 1923: Stourbridge
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Douglas Pielou 14,764 39.8 -12.0
Liberal Harry Palfrey 13,269 35.8 -12.4
Labour Wilfred Wellock 9,050 24.4 New
Majority 1,495 4.0 +0.4
Turnout 37,083
Unionist hold Swing
General election 1922: Stourbridge[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Unionist Douglas Pielou 18,200 51.8 New
Liberal John William Wilson 16,949 48.2 Increase 9.7
Majority 1,251 3.6 N/A
Turnout 35,149
Unionist gain from Liberal Swing N/A

Elections in the 1910s

General election 1918: Stourbridge[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal John Wilson 8,920 38.5
Labour Mary Macarthur 7,587 32.7
C National Democratic Victor Fisher 6,690 28.8
Majority 1,333 5.8
Turnout 23,197 55.0
Liberal win (new seat)
C indicates candidate endorsed by the coalition government.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A borough 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

  1. ↑ "Electorate Figures – Boundary Commission for England". 2011 Electorate Figures. Boundary Commission for England. 4 March 2011. Archived from the original on 6 November 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  2. ↑ resignation letter to the Prime Minister, printed in Express and Star
  3. ↑ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume one: Report – West Midlands | Boundary Commission for England". boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  4. 1 2 Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "S" (part 5)
  5. ↑ Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
  6. ↑ Hallam, David J. A. Taking on the Men: the first women parliamentary candidates 1918, Studley 2018, chapter 3 "Mary Macarthur in Stourbridge".
  7. ↑ "Meet the only candidate in the election with his own election song AND his very own beer". The Independent. 6 April 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  8. ↑ "Cat Eccles selected as Labour's Stourbridge Candidate". Stourbridge News. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  9. ↑ "Stourbridge Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 30 November 2019.
  10. ↑ Bev Holder (10 May 2017). "UKIP confirms General Election candidates for Stourbridge and Dudley South". Stourbridge News. Retrieved 10 May 2017.
  11. ↑ "Stourbridge results". BBC News. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  12. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  13. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  15. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 Craig, F. W. S. (1983). British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3 ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.
  18. ↑ The Liberal Magazine, 1939
  19. ↑ Report of the Annual Conference of the Labour Party, 1939
  20. 1 2 3 British parliamentary election results 1918–1949, Craig, F.W.S.

Sources

  • Craig, F. W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918–1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. p. 503. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.

52°27′N 2°08′W / 52.45°N 2.13°W / 52.45; -2.13

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