Skipton and Ripon is a constituency in North Yorkshire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by Julian Smith, a Conservative.

Constituency profile

Skipton and Ripon is a constituency in North Yorkshire in England. It is named after its two largest settlements, the town of Skipton and the city of Ripon, which both have populations of around 16,000. Other settlements include the towns of Settle, Bentham, Grassington, Pateley Bridge and Masham and the villages of Cross Hills, Sutton-in-Craven and Ingleton.

This is a large, rural and sparsely-populated constituency mostly taken up by Yorkshire Dales National Park and Nidderdale National Landscape. These are upland areas forming part of the Pennines, featuring moorland hills interspersed with dales and many small market towns and villages. Skipton is a historic, affluent town popular with tourists due to its position close to the Yorkshire Dales. The town has repeatedly been listed as one of the best places to live in the UK. Ripon is a small, wealthy cathedral city; the nearby Studley Royal Park and Fountains Abbey attract many visitors. The rest of the constituency is also mostly wealthy and largely agricultural. House prices across the constituency are generally similar to the UK average and considerably higher than the rest of Yorkshire.

Skipton and Ripon has a large retired population and a low proportion of young and middle-aged adults. Residents have above-average levels of income and homeownership and the child poverty rate is low. They are generally well-educated and a high proportion work in the agriculture, business administration and tourism sectors. The percentage claiming unemployment benefits is less than half the UK-wide rate. White people made up 97% of the population at the 2021 census.

At the local council, Skipton is represented by Green Party and independent councillors, Ripon by Liberal Democrats and independents and the rest of the constituency mostly by Conservatives. An estimated 53% of voters in Skipton and Ripon supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, similar to the UK-wide figure of 52%.

History The constituency was created in 1983 from the parts of the former seats of Skipton and Ripon within the county of North Yorkshire.

Before the 2024 election, it was one of the safest seats in England, formed from an area with a long history of Conservative representation and with a large majority of its electorate having in the last election voted Conservative. It was also the constituency in 1992 that when declared, saw the Conservatives gain the 4th straight majority since 1979 and John Major re-elected as prime minister.

In 2024, the Conservative majority over Labour was cut from 40.4% to 3.1%.

Boundaries

Historic 1983–1997: The District of Craven, and the Borough of Harrogate wards of Almscliffe, Bishop Monkton, Boroughbridge, Fountains, Killinghall, Kirkby Malzeard, Lower Nidderdale, Mashamshire, Newby, Nidd Valley, Pateley Bridge, Ripon East, Ripon West, Wathvale, and Wharfedale Moors.

1997–2010: The District of Craven, and the Borough of Harrogate wards of Almscliffe, Bishop Monkton, Fountains, Killinghall, Kirkby Malzeard, Lower Nidderdale, Mashamshire, Nidd Valley, Pateley Bridge, Ripon East, Ripon West, and Wharfedale Moors.

2010–2024: The District of Craven, and the Borough of Harrogate wards of Bishop Monkton, Kirkby Malzeard, Lower Nidderdale, Mashamshire, Newby, Nidd Valley, Pateley Bridge, Ripon Minster, Ripon Moorside, Ripon Spa, Washburn, and Wathvale.

Current Under the 2023 periodic review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was defined as being composed of the following as they existed on 1 December 2020:

The District of Craven. The Borough of Harrogate wards of: Fountains & Ripley; Masham & Kirkby Malzeard; Nidd Valley; Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale Moors; Ripon Minster; Ripon Moorside; Ripon Spa; Ripon Ure Bank; Washburn; Wathvale.

Minor changes to take account of changes to ward boundaries in the Borough of Harrogate.

However, before the new boundaries came into effect, the District of Craven and the Borough of Harrogate were abolished and absorbed into the new unitary authority of North Yorkshire with effect from 1 April 2023. Consequently, the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

The District of North Yorkshire electoral districts of: Aire Valley; Bentham & Ingleton; Glusburn, Cross Hills & Sutton-in-Craven; Masham & Fountains; Mid Craven; Pateley Bridge & Nidderdale; Ripon Minster & Moorside; Ripon Ure Bank & Spa; Settle & Penyghent; Skipton East & South; Skipton North & Embsay-with-Eastby; Skipton West & West Craven; Washburn & Birstwith; Wathvale & Bishop Monkton (part); Wharfedale.

Members of Parliament ElectionMemberParty 1983 John Watson Conservative 1987 David Curry Conservative 2010 Julian Smith Conservative

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result Party Vote % Conservative 33,416 58.9 Labour 10,899 19.2 Liberal Democrats 8,634 15.2 Green 2,693 4.7 Others 1,131 2.0Turnout56,77374.0Electorate76,758

In 2017, the Liberal Democrats stood aside and endorsed the Green Party.

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

See also List of parliamentary constituencies in North Yorkshire List of parliamentary constituencies in the Yorkshire and the Humber (region)

Notes

References

External links Skipton and Ripon UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK Skipton and Ripon UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK Skipton and Ripon UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK