Poole is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Neil Duncan-Jordan, a Labour politician.

History

The first version of the Poole constituency existed from 1455 until 1885. During this period its exact status was a parliamentary borough, sending two burgesses to Westminster per year, except during its last 17 years when its representation was reduced to one member.

During its abeyance, most of Poole was in the East Dorset seat and, since its recreation in 1950, its area has been reduced as the harbour town's population has increased.

Boundaries

1950–1983: The Municipal Borough of Poole.

1983–1997: The Borough of Poole wards of Broadstone, Canford Cliffs, Canford Heath, Creekmoor, Hamworthy, Harbour, Newtown, Oakdale, Parkstone, and Penn Hill.

1997–2010: The Borough of Poole wards of Bourne Valley, Canford Cliffs, Hamworthy, Harbour, Newtown, Oakdale, Parkstone, and Penn Hill.

2010–2019: The Borough of Poole wards of Branksome West, Canford Cliffs, Creekmoor, Hamworthy East, Hamworthy West, Newtown, Oakdale, Parkstone, Penn Hill, and Poole Town.

2019–2024: The Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council wards of Alderney and Bourne Valley (part), Broadstone (very small part), Canford Cliffs (nearly all), Canford Heath (very small part), Creekmoor, Hamworthy, Newtown and Heatherlands (most), Oakdale, Parkstone, Penn Hill and Poole Town

2024-present: Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

• The District of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole wards of: Canford Cliffs; Creekmoor; Hamworthy; Newtown & Heatherlands; Oakdale; Parkstone; Penn Hill; Poole Town.

Minor changes following re-organisation of local authorities and wards in Dorset.

Constituency profile

The borough is an economically very diverse borough. In the centre and north are a significant minority of Output Areas which in 2001 had high rankings in the Index of Multiple Deprivation, contributing in 2012 with the remainder to producing for Poole the highest unemployment of the constituencies in the county. However, Canford Cliffs is epitomised by one sub-neighbourhood, Sandbanks with its multimillion-pound properties, the coastline area has been dubbed as "Britain's Palm Beach" by the national media. Alongside oil extraction, insurance, care, retail and customer service industries choosing the town as their base tourism contributes to overall a higher income than the national average, however the divergence is not statistically significant and the size of homes varies extensively.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1455–1629

• Borough established 1455, returning two members

MPs 1640–1868

MPs 1868–1885

MPs since 1950

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Elections in the 1880s

• Caused by Schreiber's death.

Elections in the 1870s

• Caused by the election being declared void on petition, after "corrupt conduct and treating".

Elections in the 1860s

• Seat reduced to one member.

Elections in the 1850s

• Caused by Robinson's death.

Elections in the 1840s

Elections in the 1830s

• Caused by John Byng's elevation to the peerage, becoming 1st Earl of Strafford

• Caused by Ponsonby's resignation

See also

• List of parliamentary constituencies in Dorset

Notes

References

Sources

• Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. p. 1.

External links

• Poole UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK
• Poole UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK