Hemel Hempstead (UK Parliament constituency)

Hemel Hempstead is a constituency in Hertfordshire represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first-past-the-post system. Since 2024, it has been represented by David Taylor of the Labour Party.

Constituency profile
The seat covers the new town of Hemel Hempstead which is a significant employment centre, as well as a rural area of the Chilterns to the north. Residents are slightly wealthier than the UK average.

History
The constituency was established as a Division of Hertfordshire by the Representation of the People Act 1918, largely created from the northern half of the Watford Division, including Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamsted and Tring. It also included north-western part of the St Albans Division, around Harpenden.

Harpenden was transferred back to St Albans in 1974 and the constituency was temporarily abolished from 1983 to 1997 during which time it was replaced by West Hertfordshire.

1918–1950

 * The Municipal Borough of Hemel Hempstead;
 * The Urban Districts of Berkhamsted, Harpenden, and Tring;
 * The Rural Districts of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead;
 * The Rural District of St Albans parishes of Harpenden Rural, Redbourn, and Wheathampstead; and
 * The Rural District of Watford parishes of Abbots Langley and Sarratt.

1950–1974

 * The Municipal Borough of Hemel Hempstead
 * The Urban Districts of Berkhamsted, Harpenden, and Tring;
 * The Rural Districts of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead; and
 * The Rural District of St Albans parishes of Harpenden Rural and Redbourn.

''Wheathampstead was transferred back to St Albans. Abbots Langley and Sarratt now included in the new constituency of South West Hertfordshire.''

1974–1983

 * The Municipal Borough of Hemel Hempstead;
 * The Urban Districts of Berkhamsted and Tring; and
 * The Rural Districts of Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead.

Harpenden and the part of the parishes of Harpenden Rural and Redbourn were transferred back to St Albans.

The constituency was abolished for the 1983 general election. Berkhamsted and the area to the south of Hemel Hempstead, including Kings Langley, was transferred to South West Hertfordshire. The remainder, including Hemel Hempstead and Tring, formed the new constituency of West Hertfordshire.

1997–2010

 * The District of Dacorum wards of Adeyfield East, Adeyfield West, Ashridge, Bennetts End, Boxmoor, Central, Chaulden, Crabtree, Cupid Green, Flamstead and Markyate, Gadebridge, Grove Hill, Highfield, Kings Langley, Leverstock Green, Nash Mills, South, and Warners End.

''Re-established for the 1997 general election from the bulk of the abolished County Constituency of West Hertfordshire (excluding Tring). Kings Langley transferred back from South West Hertfordshire.''

2010–2024

 * The District of Dacorum wards of Adeyfield East, Adeyfield West, Apsley, Ashridge, Bennetts End, Boxmoor, Chaulden and Shrubhill, Corner Hall, Gadebridge, Grove Hill, Hemel Hempstead Central, Highfield and St Paul's, Kings Langley, Leverstock Green, Nash Mills, Warners End, Watling, and Woodhall.

Minor loss to South West Hertfordshire following revision of local authority wards.

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


 * The District of Dacorum wards of: Adeyfield East; Adeyfield West; Apsley and Corner Hall; Bennetts End; Bovingdon, Flaunden and Chipperfield; Boxmoor; Chaulden and Warners End; Gadebridge; Grovehill; Hemel Hempstead Town; Highfield; Leverstock Green; Nash Mills; Woodhall Farm.

''Moderate changes, with Kings Langley being transferred to South West Hertfordshire, in exchange for the rural Bovingdon, Flaunden and Chipperfield ward. The rural Ashridge and Watling wards to the north were moved to the newly created seat of Harpenden and Berkhamsted.''

MPs, 1918–1983
Watford and St Albans prior to 1918

MPs, 1997–present
West Hertfordshire prior to 1997

Elections in the 2020s

 * Jaymey McIvor was originally selected as the Conservative candidate, but was "suspended by the party pending the outcome of an investigation."

Elections in the 2010s
This was the highest swing from Labour to Conservative in the 2010 general election.

Elections in the 1940s
General Election 1939–40: Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;
 * Conservative: Frances Davidson
 * Liberal: Ian Davidson
 * Labour: A W Harper