Shipley (UK Parliament constituency)

Shipley is a constituency in West Yorkshire, England, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2005 by Philip Davies of the Conservative Party.

Boundaries:

The constituency covers the towns of Shipley and Bingley, and several villages within the Metropolitan Borough of Bradford, including Baildon, Denholme, and Cullingworth. Boundary changes have occurred periodically, most recently in 2010 and 2023, which have impacted the precise areas included within the constituency. Prior to these changes, the constituency boundaries were slightly different, encompassing different ward configurations within the Bradford Metropolitan District.

History:

The Shipley constituency was created in 1885. Historically, the seat has swung between the Conservative and Labour parties, reflecting the diverse economic and social demographics of the area.

Political Landscape:

Shipley is considered a bellwether constituency, often reflecting the national political trend. While currently held by the Conservatives, previous Members of Parliament have included representatives from both the Labour and Conservative parties, highlighting the competitive nature of the seat.

Members of Parliament:

• 1885-1892: Joseph Craven (Liberal)
• 1892-1895: William Pollard Byles (Liberal)
• 1895-1906: James Fitzalan Hope (Conservative)
• 1906-1918: Percy Illingworth (Liberal)
• 1918-1921: Harry Barnes (Coalition Liberal)
• 1921-1923: Wheatley Lane Wild (Conservative)
• 1923-1924: Wheatley Lane Wild (Unionist)
• 1924-1929: William Mackinder (Labour)
• 1929-1931: Wheatley Lane Wild (Conservative)
• 1931-1945: Sir John Haslam (Conservative)
• 1945-1950: Alfred Creech Jones (Labour)
• 1950-1970: Geoffrey Hirst (Conservative)
• 1970-1974: Marcus Fox (Conservative)
• 1974-1979: Albert Roberts (Labour)
• 1979-1997: Marcus Fox (Conservative)
• 1997-2005: Chris Leslie (Labour)
• 2005-Present: Philip Davies (Conservative)

Elections:

Detailed results of past general elections within the Shipley constituency are available from official parliamentary sources and historical election databases. These results provide insights into the shifting political allegiances within the constituency.

Demographics:

The Shipley constituency encompasses a mix of urban and rural communities, with a diverse range of socio-economic backgrounds. This demographic diversity contributes to the competitive political landscape of the area.