Mid Norfolk - WikiHQ

Mid Norfolk is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by George Freeman, a Conservative.

Constituency profile

Mid Norfolk is a constituency in Norfolk. Its largest settlement is the town of Dereham which has a population of around 21,000. Other settlements in the constituency include the towns of Watton, Attleborough and Hingham and the village of Mattishall.

This constituency covers a large rural area west of the city of Norwich and includes many small villages and historic market towns. Much of its industry is based around agriculture and rural business. The constituency has average levels of wealth and deprivation, and house prices are lower than the national and East of England averages.

Residents of the constituency are generally older than average due to the large retiree population, and most are homeowners. They have low levels of education and the rates of household income and child poverty are average.

At the local district council level, most of the constituency is represented by Conservative councillors with some Labour Party representatives elected in the west of Dereham. At the county council, which held elections more recently, most of the constituency is represented by Reform UK. Voters in Mid Norfolk strongly supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum; an estimated 62% voted in favour of Brexit compared to the nationwide figure of 52%.

Boundaries and boundary changes

1885–1918

The Sessional Divisions of Forehoes, Guiltcross and Shropham, and Mitford and Launditch.

The constituency was created from parts of the Southern Division of Norfolk and parts of the abolished Eastern Division. The main settlements were East Dereham and Attleborough.

On abolition, southern areas, including Wymondham, were returned to the Southern Division and northern areas, including East Dereham, were transferred to the South-Western Division.

1983–1997

The District of Breckland wards of Beetley and Gressenhall, East Dereham Neatherd, East Dereham St Withburga, East Dereham Toftwood, East Dereham Town, Eynsford, Hermitage, Launditch, Mattishall, Shipworth, Springvale, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, and Upper Yare; and
The District of Broadland wards of Acle, Aylsham, Blofield, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Cawston, Coltishall, Drayton, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Great Witchingham, Hainford, Hevingham, Horsford, Plumstead, Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, South Walsham, Spixworth, St Faiths, Taverham, and Wroxham.

Eastern areas were transferred from Yarmouth, central areas (including Aylsham) from North Norfolk and western areas (including East Dereham) from South West Norfolk.

1997–2010

The District of Breckland wards of Beetley and Gressenhall, East Dereham Neatherd, East Dereham St Withburga, East Dereham Toftwood, East Dereham Town, Eynsford, Hermitage, Launditch, Mattishall, Shipworth, Springvale, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, and Upper Yare; and
The District of Broadland wards of Acle, Aylsham, Blofield, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Cawston, Coltishall, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Great Witchingham, Hainford, Hevingham, Horsford, Plumstead, Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, South Walsham, Spixworth, St Faiths, and Wroxham.

The District of Broadland wards of Drayton and Taverham were transferred to Norwich North.

2010–2024

The District of Breckland wards of All Saints, Buckenham, Burgh and Haverscroft, Dereham Central, Dereham Humbletoft, Dereham Neatherd, Dereham Toftwood, Eynsford, Haggard De Toni, Hermitage, Launditch, Necton, Queen's, Shipdham, Springvale and Scarning, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Templar, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, Upper Yare, Watton, and Wissey; and
The District of South Norfolk wards of Abbey, Cromwells, Hingham and Deopham, Northfields, Rustens, Town, and Wicklewood.

Significant changes. The District of Broadland areas, which had comprised the majority of the constituency, were now included in the new constituency of Broadland. The District of Breckland areas were retained from the 1997-2010 contents, with further parts, including Watton and Attleborough, transferred from South West Norfolk. The District of South Norfolk wards, which incorporated the town of Wymondham, were transferred from the constituency of South Norfolk.

Current

Further to the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the Mid Norfolk constituency is as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

The District of Breckland wards of: All Saints & Wayland; Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft; Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe; Dereham Neatherd; Dereham Toftwood; Dereham Withburga; Hermitage; Launditch; Lincoln; Mattishall; Necton; Saham Toney; Shipdham-with-Scarning; The Buckenhams & Banham; Upper Wensum; Watton.
The District of South Norfolk wards of: Hingham & Deopham; Wicklewood.

The town of Wymondham was transferred back to South Norfolk. Other minor changes due to the revision of local authority ward boundaries.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1885–1918

North Norfolk, South Norfolk and West Norfolk prior to 1885

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