Romsey and Southampton North is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since its 2010 creation by Caroline Nokes for the Conservative Party. For the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer it is a county constituency.
Constituency profile
Romsey and Southampton North is a constituency in Hampshire in South East England, covering most of the Test Valley district. It includes the northern Southampton suburbs of Bassett and Swaythling, the towns of Romsey and Stockbridge and the villages of North Baddesley, Nursling, Wellow and Charlton.
This is a mostly rural constituency with many small villages and hamlets; most of its population lives in the south of the constituency close to Southampton. Romsey is a historic market town known for its 12th-century abbey. The constituency is mostly wealthy, especially in Romsey, Nursling and Bassett, although there is some deprivation in Swaythling. Most residents live in detached or semi-detached properties and the average house price across the constituency is higher than the UK average.
Romsey and Southampton North has a large retired population and also a high proportion of students; Highfield Campus, the main campus of the University of Southampton, and Southampton General Hospital, which is partially run by the university, are both located adjacent to this constituency and many students live in Bassett and Swaythling. Residents have high levels of income and homeownership and the child poverty rate is low. They are generally well-educated and a high proportion work in the science and transport sectors. The percentage of residents claiming unemployment benefits is around half the UK-wide rate. White people made up 89% of the population at the 2021 census.
At the local council level, Romsey and the Southampton suburbs are represented by Liberal Democrats whilst the rural areas elected Conservatives. An estimated 52% of voters in Romsey and Southampton North supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum; higher than the UK-wide figure of 48%.
History Parliament accepted the Boundary Commission's Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which created this constituency for the 2010 general election primarily as an extended Romsey constituency.
Boundaries
2010–2024: Romsey and Southampton North was formed from electoral wards:
Bassett, and Swaythling in the City of Southampton; and Abbey, Ampfield and Braishfield, Blackwater, Broughton and Stockbridge, Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams, Cupernham, Dun Valley, Harewood, Kings Somborne and Michelmersh, North Baddesley, Over Wallop, Romsey Extra, Tadburn, and Valley Park in the Borough of Test Valley2010 post-revision map non-metropolitan areas and unitary authorities of England
2024–present: Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which became effective for the 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020): The City of Southampton wards of: Bassett; Swaythling. The Borough of Test Valley wards of: Ampfield & Braishfield; Anna; Shipton Bellinger; Blackwater; Charlton & the Pentons; Chilworth, Nursling & Rownhams; Harewood; Mid Test; North Baddesley; Romsey Abbey; Romsey Cupernham; Romsey Tadburn.
The boundaries were extended northwards to included rural areas to the south and west of Andover, transferred from North West Hampshire. The Valley Park ward was to be transferred to Eastleigh.
The area includes Stockbridge, which was a rotten borough until its abolition under the Reform Act 1832.
Members of Parliament
Romsey prior to 2010
ElectionMemberParty 2010Caroline Nokes Conservative Sep 2019 Independent Oct 2019 Conservative
Elections
Elections in the 2020s
Elections in the 2010s
2019 notional result Party Vote % Conservative 31,647 57.9 Liberal Democrats 15,396 28.1 Labour 6,630 12.1 Others 640 1.2 Green 391 0.7Turnout54,70474.1Electorate73,831
This constituency was contested for the first time at the 2010 general election. Liberal Democrat MP Sandra Gidley had been the MP for the predecessor seat of Romsey since 2000.
See also List of parliamentary constituencies in Hampshire List of parliamentary constituencies in the South East England (region)
References
Sources Romsey and Southampton North on UKPollingReport
External links Romsey and Southampton North UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK Romsey and Southampton North UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK