County Derbyshire Electorate 72,162 (December 2010) European Parliament constituency East Midlands Number of members 1 | Population 94,473 (2011 census) Created 1950 Member of parliament Dennis Skinner Major settlements Bolsover, Shirebrook | |
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Created from Clay Cross and North East Derbyshire Replaced by Clay Cross, North East Derbyshire | ||
Bolsover /ˈbɒlsˌɒvər/, /ˈbɒlzˌɒvər/ and commonly /boʊzər/ is a constituency in Derbyshire represented in the House of Commons of the U.K. Parliament. The constituency was first contested in 1950 and is focused on the town of Bolsover.
Contents
History
Before the Reform Act 1832 relatively wealthy (forty shilling freeholders) of the whole county could attend elections when there was an opposition candidate. From 1868 until 1885 East Derbyshire served the area by gaining the area from North Derbyshire formed in 1832. The constituency was created in 1950 from parts of the constituencies of 1885-formed North East Derbyshire and 1918-formed Clay Cross.
Boundaries
1950-1983: The Urban District of Bolsover, and the Rural Districts of Blackwell and Clowne.
1983-2010: The District of Bolsover, and the District of North East Derbyshire wards of Morton, Pilsley, Shirland, and Sutton.
2010-present: The District of Bolsover, and the District of North East Derbyshire wards of Holmewood and Heath, Pilsley and Morton, Shirland, and Sutton.
Constituency profile
The seat includes many former mining communities and has in elections to date been a Labour Party stronghold although Skinner's share of the popular vote has "dropped" to a bare (50%) plurality in the 2010 election (from a high of 74%) - see below. Its economy has faced struggles following the last closures in the early 1990s of the coal pits upon which the area thrived for many years, facing from the 1970s increased competition to compete with international prices and a need for government subsidy as achieved in Eastern Europe, albeit on lower wages, which ceased under Margaret Thatcher. Bolsover's tourism industry has emerged in the area in recent years, including accommodation and tours involving Bolsover Castle, owned by English Heritage, and Hardwick Hall, home of Bess of Hardwick. Since 1970 it has been held by Dennis Skinner, a former miner whose fast wit and often abrasive manner in the House of Commons has led to him being dubbed "The Beast of Bolsover".