From 1970 until 2019, it was represented by Kenneth Clarke who was Father of the House of Commons for his last two years as an MP. He was appointed to the executive in the governments of Margaret Thatcher, John Major and David Cameron – one of five ministers to serve the whole 18 years of the Thatcher and Major governments. His political career is the fifth-longest in the modern era;[clarification needed] he remains a notable figure in British politics.
In the 2016 European Union membership referendum, it was the only constituency in the Nottinghamshire and overall East Midlands region to vote Remain (57.6% to 42.4%), even as neighbouring city of Nottingham voted to Leave (50.8% to 49.2%).[2] This can be attributed to the constituency's affluence, as well as then-MP Kenneth Clarke's pro-EU political leanings (he would be the only Conservative MP to vote against triggering Article 50 in 2017.)[3][4]
Boundaries
edit
Constituency boundaries from 2024
Constituency boundaries 2010-2024
Historic
edit
1885–1918: Part of the Sessional Division of Nottingham.
1918–1950: The Urban Districts of Beeston, Carlton, and West Bridgford, the Rural Districts of Leake and Stapleford, the Rural District which consisted of the parishes of Kingston-on-Soar and Ratcliffe-on-Soar, and in the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Awsworth, Barton-in-Fabis, Bilborough, Bradmore, Bunny, Burton Joyce, Clifton-with-Glapton, Colwick, Cossall, Gamston, Gedling, Gotham, Nuthall, Ruddington, South Wilford, Stoke Bardolph, Strelley, Thrumpton, Trowell, and Wollaton.
1950–1955: The Urban Districts of Beeston and Stapleford, and West Bridgford, and in the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Barton-in-Fabis, Bilborough, Bradmore, Bunny, Clifton with Glapton, Colwick, Costock, East Leake, Gedling, Gotham, Kingston-on-Soar, Normanton-on-Soar, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Rempstone, Ruddington, Stanford-on-Soar, Sutton Bonington, Thorpe-in-the-Glebe, Thrumpton, West Leake, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, and Wysall.
1955–1974: The Urban District of Beeston and Stapleford, and in the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Barton-in-Fabis, Bilborough, Bradmore, Bunny, Colwick, Costock, East Leake, Gedling, Gotham, Kingston-on-Soar, Normanton-on-Soar, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Rempstone, Ruddington, Stanford-on-Soar, Sutton Bonington, Thorpe-in-the-Glebe, Thrumpton, West Leake, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, and Wysall.
1974–1983: The Urban District of West Bridgford, the Rural District of Bingham, and in the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Barton-in-Fabis, Bradmore, Bunny, Costock, East Leake, Gotham, Kingston on Soar, Normanton on Soar, Ratcliffe on Soar, Rempstone, Ruddington, Stanford on Soar, Sutton Bonington, Thorpe in the Glebe, Thrumpton, West Leake, Willoughby-on-the-Wolds, and Wysall.
2010–2024: The Borough of Rushcliffe wards of Abbey, Bunny, Compton Acres, Cotgrave, Cropwell, Edwalton, Gamston, Gotham, Keyworth and the Wolds, Lady Bay, Leake, Lutterell, Musters,Nevile and Langar, Newton, Radcliffe-on-Trent, Ruddington, Soar Valley, Tollerton, and Trent Bridge.[5]
The Borough of Rushcliffe wards of: Abbey; Bunny; Compton Acres; Cotgrave; Cropwell; Edwalton; Gamston North; Gamston South; Gotham; Keyworth & Wolds; Lady Bay; Leake; Lutterell; Musters; Nevile & Langar; Radcliffe on Trent; Ruddington; Sutton Bonington; Tollerton; Trent Bridge.[6]
The constituency saw minor boundary changes due to the redrawing of local authority ward boundaries.
Following a further local government boundary review in which came into effect in May 2023,[7][8] the constituency now comprises the following wards of the Borough of Rushcliffe from the 2024 general election:
The constituency consists of Census Output Areas of one local government district with a working population whose income is close to the national average and has lower than average reliance upon social housing.[10] At the end of 2012 the unemployment rate in the constituency stood as 1.9% of the population claiming jobseekers allowance, compared to the regional average of 3.5%.[11] The borough contributing to the bulk of the seat has a low 15.1% of its population without a car, 16.4% of the population without qualifications and a very high 39.0% with level 4 qualifications or above. In terms of tenure a high 76.7% of homes are owned outright or on a mortgage as at the 2011 census across the district.[12]
^"The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – East Midlands". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
^"EU Referendum Results - BBC News". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
^Harper, Christopher (4 September 2019). "Brexit: How did Rushcliffe vote during the 2016 EU referendum?". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
^Locker, Joseph (8 September 2019). "Ken Clarke on 'ruthless' Boris, Brexit and his supportive constituents". NottinghamshireLive. Retrieved 20 December 2022.
^"Ward Boundaries and Maps - Rushcliffe Borough Council".
^"The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 1 East Midlands.
^LGBCE. "Rushcliffe | LGBCE". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
^"New Seat Details - Rushcliffe". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 10 April 2024.
^"Local statistics - Office for National Statistics". neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk.
^Unemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian
^"2011 census interactive maps". Archived from the original on 29 January 2016.
^Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "R" (part 2)
^"Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF). Rushcliffe Council. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
^"Declaration of Result of Poll: Election of a Member of Parliament for Rushcliffe Constituency" (PDF). Rushcliffe Borough Council. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 5 July 2024.
^"Rushcliffe Parliamentary constituency". BBC News. BBC. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
^"Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
^"Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
^"BBC NEWS – Election 2010 – Rushcliffe". BBC News.
^"Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^"Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^"Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^"Politics Resources". Election 1997. Politics Resources. 1 May 1997. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
^C. Rallings & M. Thrasher, The Media Guide to the New Parliamentary Constituencies, p.142 (Plymouth: LGC Elections Centre, 1995)
^"Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^"Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
^"Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
^"Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.