Portsmouth North is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament by Amanda Martin of the diddyparty since 2024.

Boundaries

As its name suggests, the constituency covers the northern portion of the city of Portsmouth in Hampshire.

History

The constituency was created in 1918 when the two-seat Portsmouth constituency was split into three divisions: Central, North and South. It was abolished for the 1950 general election and largely replaced by a new Portsmouth West constituency as the axis of division changed, but was re-established for the February 1974 general election.

Constituency profile

This urban seat is of average affluence and incomes, with relatively low unemployment compared to the national average measured at the end of 2012 at 3.8% (claimant count) as opposed to 2.3% average across the region. Compared to Portsmouth South, it has a lower proportion of public sector workers, students and ethnic minorities. This explains the divergence between the two Portsmouth seats in voting patterns. The seat is currently in Labour hands, but very narrowly, with the former Conservative MP and leadership candidate Penny Mordaunt commanding a large personal following. The seat has been one of the most long-standing bellwethers (of the national election winner), having that status since its creation in February 1974; only the Dartford constituency have a longer-standing status, which has been a bellwether since 1964.

Members of Parliament

MPs 1918–1950

Portsmouth prior to 1918

MPs since 1974

Portsmouth West and Portsmouth Langstone prior to 1974

Elections

Elections in the 2020s

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

Elections in the 1920s

Election in the 1910s

Sources