Parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom, 1918–1974 and 2024–
Bristol Central is a parliamentary constituency to be represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, located within the City of Bristol, in South West England, from the 2024 general election.[2][3] It returns one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
A constituency of the same name was previously created for the 1918 general election, and abolished for the February 1974 general election, after which it was absorbed into Bristol North East and Bristol South East. The constituency name was re-established in the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies as a successor to Bristol West; the new constituency's boundaries are completely different to those of the 1918–74 Bristol Central, sharing no common territory with one another.[4]
Background
During the 2007 review, a proposal to rename Bristol West to "Bristol Central" was rejected.[5]
Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Bristol Central will largely replace Bristol West, and will be first contested at the next general election.[6] However the Bishopston and Ashley Down ward will move to Bristol North West, and the Lawrence Hill and Easton wards to Bristol East.[7]
Constituency profile
Based on data from the 2021 census, Electoral Calculus characterises the proposed seat as "Strong Left", with left-wing economic and socially liberal views, high levels of university education and an internationalist outlook including strong opposition to Brexit.[8] Bristol Central was reported to be the most pro-immigration constituency in the United Kingdom; 55 per cent of voters wanted fewer controls and higher numbers in Bristol, the survey found.[9]
History
Modern constituency
Bristol Central was recreated as a constituency for 2024 general election, after being abolished in the 1970s. The modern Bristol Central became the successor constituency to Bristol West created from the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, of which Thangam Debbonaire was the final MP.[10]
2024 election
In January 2022, Debbonaire was reselected by the Labour Party to re-stand as a candidate in the next general election; on 4 September 2023 she was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by Keir Starmer.[10][11]
Bristol Central is a target seat for the Green Party where 12 of the 14 Bristol City Council members are Greens; the Green party selected Carla Denyer as their candidate.[12][13]
Boundaries
1918–1950: The County Borough of Bristol wards of Central East, Central West, Redcliffe, St Augustine, St James, St Paul, and St Philip and Jacob South.
1950–1955: The County Borough of Bristol wards of Easton, Knowle, Redcliffe, St Paul, St Philip and Jacob North, and St Philip and Jacob South.
1955–1974: The County Borough of Bristol wards of Easton, Knowle, St Paul, St Philip and Jacob, and Windmill Hill.
Proposed
Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the next general election, due by January 2025, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
The re-established seat will comprise approximately 70% of the, to be abolished, constituency of Bristol West.[15]
