Tunbridge Wells (constituency)

Tunbridge Wells is a constituency in Kent represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Michael Martin, a Liberal Democrat.

Prior to the 2024 election of a Liberal Democrat, the constituency had always returned Conservative Party members since its creation in 1974.

Notable Figures

• Luca Dolley

Boundaries

1974–1983: The Borough of Royal Tunbridge Wells, the Urban District of Southborough, the Rural District of Cranbrook, in the Rural District of Tonbridge the parishes of Bidborough, Brenchley, Capel, Horsmonden, Lamberhurst, Paddock Wood, Pembury, Speldhurst.

1983–1997: The Borough of Tunbridge Wells. The constituency boundaries remained unchanged.

1997–2010: The Borough of Tunbridge Wells wards of Brenchley, Capel, Culverden, Goudhurst, Horsmonden, Lamberhurst, Paddock Wood, Pantiles, Park, Pembury, Rusthall, St James', St John's, St Mark's, Sherwood, Southborough East, Southborough North, Southborough West, Speldhurst and Bidborough.

2010–2024: The Borough of Tunbridge Wells wards of Brenchley and Horsmonden, Broadwater, Capel, Culverden, Goudhurst and Lamberhurst, Hawkhurst and Sandhurst, Paddock Wood East, Paddock Wood West, Pantiles and St Mark's, Park, Pembury, Rusthall, St James', St John's, Sherwood, Southborough and High Brooms, Southborough North, Speldhurst and Bidborough.

2024–present: The 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, which was based on the ward structure in place on 1 December 2020, left the boundaries unchanged. However, following a local government boundary review which came into effect in May 2024, the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

The Borough of Tunbridge Wells wards of: Culverden; High Brooms; Paddock Wood; Pantiles; Park; Pembury & Capel; Rural Tunbridge Wells; Rusthall & Speldhurst; Sherwood; Southborough & Bidborough; St James'; St John's; and the Hawkhurst and Sandhurst parishes in the Hawkhurst, Sandhurst and Benenden ward.

The current constituency includes the large town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, as well as most of its borough to the east, which is generally rural.

History

The constituency was created in 1974, and was originally named "Royal Tunbridge Wells". Except for Cranbrook Rural District (previously part of the Ashford constituency) the area had formed part of the constituency of Tonbridge prior to 1974. In 1983 the "Royal" prefix was removed from the seat's name.

;Political history

The seat's results since its 1974 creation indicate a Conservative safe seat. In 1994, the Conservative group on the council lost control, but regained it in 1998.

;Prominent frontbenchers

In succession, from 1983 until 1997 Patrick Mayhew reached three leading positions: Solicitor General for England and Wales, Attorney General for England and Wales and for Northern Ireland (simultaneously) and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

From 2000 to 2001, Archie Norman was the Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions.

The previous MP Greg Clark, was Minister for Decentralisation from the start of the Cameron ministry, and then two years later became Financial Secretary to the Treasury. He then served as the Minister of State for Cities and Constitution, Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities before serving in the cabinet as the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government after the 2015 General Election

In the May ministry, he served throughout as the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy before stepping down after May's resignation in July 2019. After returning to the backbenches, he served as the chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Select Committee across the Johnson, Truss and Sunak ministries.

Clark stepped down for the 2024 general election, when the seat was won by Mike Martin of the Liberal Democrats – the first time it, and its predecessor Tonbridge, have not been represented by a Conservative since the latter's creation in 1918.

Constituency profile

The area is still largely rural in character and landscape, enjoying a gently elevated position which is traversed by the High Weald Landscape Trail. The area has local service sector and financial sector employers, light engineering combined with being substantially a commuter belt town for London, and to an extent, businesses on the southern side of the M25, such as in the Gatwick Diamond.

The electorate voted for Remain in the 2016 EU referendum, and are wealthier than the UK average.

Members of Parliament

Tonbridge and Ashford prior to 1974

{| class="wikitable"

!colspan="2"|Election!!Member

!Party