Reading West was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament.
Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was abolished. Its area was transferred to the new constituencies of Earley and Woodley (Whitley ward), Reading Central (Battle, Minster and Southcote wards), and Reading West and Mid Berkshire (all other wards). These constituencies were first contested at the 2024 general election.
Constituency profile Since its 1983 creation the constituency was a bellwether paradigm example of a marginal seat. Boundary changes for the 2010 election took in areas of population expansion to the east in new largely private sector housing estates. Unemployment is close to the regional average, which is lower than the national averageUnemployment claimants by constituency The Guardian and the constituency has seen a marked increase in properties and property prices throughout the 2001 to 2011 period which saw town centre regeneration and investment by a Labour Party-controlled council enhanced by Reading railway station hub improvements and enterprise areas equally.
History The Reading West parliamentary constituency was first contested in 1983, when it was won by a member of the Conservative Party, Tony Durant, the sitting MP for the abolished Reading North constituency. He held the seat through two subsequent general elections until he retired at the 1997 election.
The constituency was then won by Martin Salter for Labour, as part of the landslide that brought Labour back to power under Tony Blair. Salter held the seat through the 13 years of Labour government until Parliament was dissolved in April 2010, but did not stand in the 2010 general election, when Alok Sharma won the seat for the Conservatives.
Sharma held several posts within government, including serving in the Cabinet as the President for COP26 from January 2021 until October 2022.
Boundaries and boundary changes
1983–1997
The Borough of Reading wards of Battle, Katesgrove, Kentwood, Minster, Norcot, Southcote, and Tilehurst; and The District of Newbury wards of Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley, Theale, and Tilehurst.
Formed as a county constituency, largely from parts of the abolished constituency of Reading North. Extended westwards to include parts of Newbury.
1997–2010
The Borough of Reading wards of Battle, Kentwood, Minster, Norcot, Southcote, Tilehurst, and Whitley; and The District of Newbury wards of Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley, Theale, and Tilehurst.
The boundary with Reading East was realigned, gaining Whitley ward and losing Katesgrove ward.
2010–2024
The Borough of Reading wards of Battle, Kentwood, Minster, Norcot, Southcote, Tilehurst, and Whitley; and The District of West Berkshire wards of Birch Copse, Calcot, Pangbourne, Purley on Thames, Theale, and Westwood.
Marginal changes due to revision of local authority wards.
The constituency was bordered by the seats of Newbury, Henley, Reading East, and Wokingham.
Members of Parliament ElectionMemberParty 1983 Tony Durant 1997 Martin Salter 2010 Alok Sharma
Elections Elections in the 2010s
Elections in the 2000s 2005 notional result Party Vote % Labour 19,451 45.1 Conservative 14,496 33.6 Liberal Democrats 6,814 15.8 Others 2,385 5.5Turnout43,14661.2Electorate70,529
Elections in the 1990s
1992 notional result Party Vote % Conservative 27,888 52.4 Labour 15,256 28.7 Liberal Democrats 9,461 17.8 Others 638 1.2Turnout53,24377.3Electorate68,848
Elections in the 1980s
1979 notional result Party Vote % Conservative 24,628 48.0 Labour 16,144 31.5 Liberal 10,056 19.6 Others 492 1.0Turnout51,320Electorate
See also List of parliamentary constituencies in Berkshire
Notes
References
External links Reading West UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK Reading West UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK