Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr (UK Parliament constituency)

Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr (Welsh: Maldwyn a Glyndŵr) is a constituency of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament, first contested at the 2024 United Kingdom general election, following the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies.

Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Map
Map
Interactive map of the constituency.
Map of constituency
Location of the constituency within Wales
Electorate74,223 (March 2020)[1]
Major settlementsNewtown, Welshpool, Llanidloes, Chirk, Cefn Mawr, Rhosllanerchrugog, Machynlleth, Montgomery
Current constituency
Created2024
Member of ParliamentSteve Witherden (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created fromMontgomeryshire
Clwyd South

The constituency name refers to the former county of Montgomeryshire and the former district of Glyndŵr. Upon its abolition, the predecessor seat, Montgomeryshire, was the only one in Wales never to elect a member of the Labour Party. At the 2024 election Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr elected Steve Witherden, the first Labour MP ever to represent the Montgomeryshire area in the House of Commons, meaning that the party has now won in every area of Wales in their history.

Boundaries

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The constituency comprises the following areas:[2][3]

  • From Powys: Banwy, Berriew, Blaen Hafren, Caersws, Churchstoke, Dolforwyn, Forden, Glantwymyn, Guilsfield, Kerry, Llanbrynmair, Llandinam, Llandrinio, Llandysilio, Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfihangel, Llanfyllin, Llanidloes, Llanwddyn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant/ Llansilin, Llansantffraid, Machynlleth, Meifod, Montgomery, Newtown Central, Newtown East, Newtown Llanllwchaiarn North, Newtown Llanllwchaiarn West, Newtown South, Rhiwcynon, Trewern, Welshpool Castle, Welshpool Gungrog, and Welshpool Llanerchyddol;
  • From Wrexham County Borough: Cefn, Dyffryn Ceiriog/Ceiriog Valley, Chirk North, Chirk South, Esclusham, Johnstown, Pant, Penycae, Penycae and Ruabon South, Plas Madoc, Ponciau, and Ruabon.

The official spelling of the constituency, in English and Welsh, uses the spelling 'Glyndŵr' with a circumflex over the "w".[4]

Election results

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Elections in the 2020s

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General Election 2024: Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Steve Witherden 12,709 29.4 +4.6
Reform UK Oliver Lewis 8,894 20.6 +19.2
Conservative Craig Williams 7,775 18.0 −35.6
Liberal Democrats Glyn Preston 6,470 15.0 −1.8
Plaid Cymru Elwyn Vaughan 5,667 13.1 +11.1
Green Jeremy Brignell-Thorp 1,744 4.0 N/A
Majority 3,815 8.8
Turnout 43,259 58.0
Labour gain from Conservative Swing

On 25 June the Conservative Party withdrew support for their candidate due to the 2024 United Kingdom general election betting scandal.[6] It was confirmed on behalf of the returning officer that his name and party designation had to remain on the ballot paper, as the suspension came after nominations for the election had closed.[7][8] On 20 June a YouGov poll had predicted Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr would be the only seat in Wales to be won by the Conservatives, by a narrow margin.[9]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Mrs Justice Jefford; Thomas, Huw Vaughan; Hartley, Sam A (June 2023). "Appendix 1: Recommended Constituencies" (PDF). The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituencies in Wales. Cardiff: Boundary Commission for Wales. p. 250. ISBN 978-1-5286-3901-9. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  2. ^ "2023 Parliamentary Review - Revised Proposals | Boundary Commission for Wales". Boundary Commission for Wales. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  3. ^ "New Seat Details - Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 2023-07-30.
  4. ^ 2023 Final Recommendations Boundary Commission for Wales
  5. ^ Palmer, Emma (2024-06-07). "Election of Member of Parliament to Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr Parliamentary Constituency - Statement of Persons Nominated and Notice of Poll" (PDF). Powys County Council. Retrieved 8 June 2024.
  6. ^ "Tories pull support for candidates over bet scandal". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  7. ^ Luxon, Debbie (25 June 2024). "Powys confirms Craig Williams will continue to stand for MP". Cambrian News. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
  8. ^ Mitchell, Archie (25 June 2024). "Rishi Sunak suspends candidates linked to election betting scandal". The Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Just one Tory seat in Wales predicted after general election". Western Telegraph. 20 June 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
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