Mid Norfolk is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2010 by George Freeman, a Conservative.
Constituency profile Mid Norfolk is a constituency in Norfolk. Its largest settlement is the town of Dereham which has a population of around 21,000. Other settlements in the constituency include the towns of Watton, Attleborough and Hingham and the village of Mattishall.
This constituency covers a large rural area west of the city of Norwich and includes many small villages and historic market towns. Much of its industry is based around agriculture and rural business. The constituency has average levels of wealth and deprivation, and house prices are lower than the national and East of England averages.
Residents of the constituency are generally older than average due to the large retiree population, and most are homeowners. They have low levels of education and the rates of household income and child poverty are average. A high proportion of residents work in the manufacturing and construction sectors and a low percentage claim unemployment benefits. White people made up 97% of the population at the 2021 census.
At the local district council level, most of the constituency is represented by Conservative councillors with some Labour Party representatives elected in the west of Dereham. At the county council, which held elections more recently, most of the constituency is represented by Reform UK. Voters in Mid Norfolk strongly supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum; an estimated 62% voted in favour of Brexit compared to the nationwide figure of 52%.
History Under the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, the three two-member county divisions of Norfolk were replaced with six single-member divisions, including the newly created Mid Division of Norfolk. It was abolished at the next redistribution of seats under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1918, when it was absorbed by neighbouring constituencies.
The seat was re-established as a County Constituency for the 1983 general election, since which it has only elected and been served by a Conservative MP.
The Boundary Commission's Fifth periodic review of Westminster constituencies for the 2010 general election created a new constituency, Broadland, based on the local government district of the same name, which was formed from the majority of the Mid Norfolk seat, together with parts of North Norfolk. The Mid Norfolk seat was retained with substantially altered boundaries, gaining parts of South Norfolk and South West Norfolk in compensation (see below). The former MP for Mid Norfolk, Keith Simpson, was selected to contest the newly created Broadland constituency.
Boundaries and boundary changes
Historic
1885–1918 The Sessional Divisions of Forehoes, Guiltcross and Shropham, and Mitford and Launditch.
The constituency was created from parts of the Southern Division of Norfolk and parts of the abolished Eastern Division. The main settlements were East Dereham and Attleborough.
On abolition, southern areas, including Wymondham, were returned to the Southern Division and northern areas, including East Dereham, were transferred to the South-Western Division.
1983–1997 The District of Breckland wards of Beetley and Gressenhall, East Dereham Neatherd, East Dereham St Withburga, East Dereham Toftwood, East Dereham Town, Eynsford, Hermitage, Launditch, Mattishall, Shipworth, Springvale, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, and Upper Yare; and The District of Broadland wards of Acle, Aylsham, Blofield, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Cawston, Coltishall, Drayton, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Great Witchingham, Hainford, Hevingham, Horsford, Plumstead, Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, South Walsham, Spixworth, St Faiths, Taverham, and Wroxham.
Eastern areas were transferred from Yarmouth, central areas (including Aylsham) from North Norfolk and western areas (including East Dereham) from South West Norfolk.
1997–2010 The District of Breckland wards of Beetley and Gressenhall, East Dereham Neatherd, East Dereham St Withburga, East Dereham Toftwood, East Dereham Town, Eynsford, Hermitage, Launditch, Mattishall, Shipworth, Springvale, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, and Upper Yare; and The District of Broadland wards of Acle, Aylsham, Blofield, Brundall, Burlingham, Buxton, Cawston, Coltishall, Foulsham, Freethorpe, Great Witchingham, Hainford, Hevingham, Horsford, Plumstead, Rackheath, Reedham, Reepham, South Walsham, Spixworth, St Faiths, and Wroxham.
The District of Broadland wards of Drayton and Taverham were transferred to Norwich North.
2010–2024 The District of Breckland wards of All Saints, Buckenham, Burgh and Haverscroft, Dereham Central, Dereham Humbletoft, Dereham Neatherd, Dereham Toftwood, Eynsford, Haggard De Toni, Hermitage, Launditch, Necton, Queen's, Shipdham, Springvale and Scarning, Swanton Morley, Taverner, Templar, Two Rivers, Upper Wensum, Upper Yare, Watton, and Wissey; and The District of South Norfolk wards of Abbey, Cromwells, Hingham and Deopham, Northfields, Rustens, Town, and Wicklewood.
Significant changes. The District of Broadland areas, which had comprised the majority of the constituency, were now included in the new constituency of Broadland. The District of Breckland areas were retained from the 1997–2010 contents, with further parts, including Watton and Attleborough, transferred from South West Norfolk. The District of South Norfolk wards, which incorporated the town of Wymondham, were transferred from the constituency of South Norfolk.
Current Further to the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the Mid Norfolk constituency is as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):
The District of Breckland wards of: All Saints & Wayland; Attleborough Burgh & Haverscroft; Attleborough Queens & Besthorpe; Dereham Neatherd; Dereham Toftwood; Dereham Withburga; Hermitage; Launditch; Lincoln; Mattishall; Necton; Saham Toney; Shipdham-with-Scarning; The Buckenhams & Banham; Upper Wensum; Watton. The District of South Norfolk wards of: Hingham & Deopham; Wicklewood.
The town of Wymondham was transferred back to South Norfolk. Other minor changes due to the revision of local authority ward boundaries.
Members of Parliament
MPs 1885–1918
North Norfolk, South Norfolk and West Norfolk prior to 1885
ElectionMemberPartyNotes 1885 Robert Gurdon Liberal Gurdon was elected as a Liberal, but joined the Liberal Unionists when the party split 1886 Liberal Unionist 1892 Clement Higgins Liberal Higgins was elected as a Liberal, but later joined the Liberal Unionists. He resigned his seat in 1895 1895 Liberal Unionist Robert Gurdon later Baron Cranworth 1895 Frederick Wilson Liberal 1906 John Wodehouse, Lord Wodehouse Liberal later 3rd Earl of Kimberley 1910 (Jan) William Boyle Liberal Unionist 1918 by-election Neville Jodrell Conservative Later MP for King's Lynn 1918 Constituency abolished, but re-established 1983
MPs since 1983
Norfolk North, Norfolk South West and Yarmouth prior to 1983
ElectionMemberParty 1983 Richard Ryder Conservative 1997 Keith Simpson Conservative 2010 George Freeman Conservative
Elections
Elections in the 2020s
Elections in the 2010s
2019 notional result Party Vote % Conservative 31,639 64.4 Labour 11,251 22.9 Liberal Democrats 5,127 10.4 Others 939 1.9 Green 154 0.3Turnout49,11069.1Electorate71,060
Elections in the 2000s
Elections in the 1990s
Elections in the 1980s
Elections in the 1910s
General Election 1914–15:
Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected; Unionist: William Lewis Boyle Liberal: David Waterlow
Elections in the 1900s
Elections in the 1890s
Elections in the 1880s
See also parliamentary constituencies in Norfolk List of parliamentary constituencies in the East of England (region)
Notes
References
External links Mid Norfolk UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK Mid Norfolk UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK Mid Norfolk UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK