NORTH WEST HAMPSHIRE

CONSTITUENCY PROFILE

Click here for a map of the new boundary changes for the next General Election.

https://boundarycommissionforengland.independent.gov.uk/review2023/9bc0b2ea-7915-4997-9d4a-3e313c0ceb51/south-east/South%20East_346_North%20West%20Hampshire_Landscape.pdf

The UK Parliamentary Constituency of North West Hampshire (NWHants) is spilt between Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (B&DBC) and Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC). Liberal Democrat Local Paries are organised along local authority lines and the responsibility is split with the Basingstoke and Deane Local Party having the lead.

The constituency boundaries have been changed for the next general election in line with the Boundary Commission for England’s 2023 Review, and the information in this profile will be based on the revised boundaries. Below is a map showing the revised boundaries.

The constituency stretches from the major urban centre of Andover to the north of Basinstoke taking in the villages and towns along the northern end of Hampshire. Amongst the 60 or so villages and hamlets that dot the area, there are five larger settlements: Oakley, Tadley, Overton, Whitchurch, and by far the largest, the market town of Andover, The revised constituency also takes in villages surrounding the northern orbit of Basingstoke.

The population of the revised NWHants Constituency will be over 76.000 voters with the electorate broken down as follows:

All the towns in the constituency are a mix of some well-to-do suburban areas and a number of more modern private and council estates. Whilst there is local industry, and Andover is a logistic hub with much wharehousing, many of the towns have high commuter populations. Some of the more deprived areas (with high unemployment levels) are constantly in need of social support and physical attention. Andover has some of the most deprived areas in England. The main shopping areas are generally in need of revitalisation.

Political-Local

In general, the Lib Dems are the main challengers to the Conservatives who hold the majority of council seats at the moment. Labour and the Greens have no seats, and the Independents are solid in some wards. Thre are no Lib Dem County Councillors with the Constituency.

On TVBC, which had all-up elections in May 2023, the Lib Dems form the major opposition to the Conservative-run council. There are now three Lib Dem coucillors in Andover (two in Harroway and one in Romans). The Conservatives do not contest Andover Town Council which has a Lib Dem majority. In the Andover Town Council elections Lib Dems gained 10,025 votes and the Independents 4,261. The Lib Dems won 10 seats with the Independents at 6.

Looking at the TVBC wards in Andover, the Local Conservatives gained 10,005 votes and the Lib Dems 7,879. See the chart below which summarises the votes across Andover. The Tories won 13 and the Lib Dems three seats, although the Lib Dems came close in gaining more, for example in Romans there was just a three vote difference. In the Bourne Valley, a paper ward, it was a straight contest with the Conservatives.

Moving on to the B&DBC part of NWHants, the Council is controlled by a Lib Dem-Independents coaltion. This council is elected by thirds. The Conservatives are the main opposition, with two Lib Dem councillors in each of Tadley & Pamber and Tadley North, Kingsclere & Baughurst: in each annual election we have gained a councillor over the last two years.

The current make up of B&DBC is

Historically, we have also had councillors in Whitchurch and Overton.

Political-Constituency

This constituency's results suggest a Conservative safe seat since its creation for the 1983 general election. There has been some competition for second place between the Lib Dems and Labour. The revised boundaries will probably have little real impact on the demographics as villages to the west and south of Andover are exchanged for villages around the north of Basingstoke. The sitting MP, Kit Malthouse, has been in place since 2015 and has benefitted from the collapse of the UKIP vote.

In the 2016 Brexit Referendum, the constituency voted along the same lines as the UK, however Andover was more Leave whilst the rural areas were more Remain.

The most recent general election results are:

Lib Dem Local Parties

Both LPs have active, supportive and experienced members across the constituency. Most of the constituency is covered by branches which form an important part of the campaigning network.