Saffron Walden was a constituency in Essex, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from 1922 to 2024 by members of the Conservative Party. Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the seat was abolished. Subject to relatively minor boundary changes, it was reformed as North West Essex for the 2024 general election.

Constituency profile

The constituency was by far the largest and most rural in Essex and covered the entire north-west corner of the county, an area of almost 400 sqmi. It bordered Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire and also extended deep into the middle of Essex near Chelmsford. Two medium-sized market towns, Saffron Walden and Great Dunmow, were in the constituency. Both of these have historic links and are busy and regionally visitor-drawing towns in the South East. The largest single source of employment in the constituency is Stansted Airport, while there are also a host of small businesses, many of them high-tech, along and at the ends of the London–Cambridge corridor.

In statistics

The constituency consisted of Census Output Areas from two local government districts with similar characteristics. Uttlesford district formed the bulk and has a working population whose income is close to the national average and a much lower than average reliance upon social housing. At the end of 2012, the unemployment rate in the constituency stood at 1.6% of the population claiming jobseekers allowance, compared to the regional average of 2.4%. The borough contributing to the bulk of the seat has a very low 10.1% of its population without a car, 17.7% of the population without qualifications, and a high 31.9% had level 4 qualifications or above. In terms of tenure, 71.6% of homes are owned outright or on a mortgage as of the 2011 census across the Uttlesford district.

History

Saffron Walden was one of eight single-member divisions of Essex (later classified as county constituencies) created by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, replacing the three two member divisions of East, South and West Essex. The boundaries were redrawn under the Representation of the People Act 1918, then remained virtually unchanged until changes brought in for the 2010 general election by the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies. The constituency mostly voted in Liberal Party MPs in its earlier history, but has been a Conservative safe seat based on election results since 1922, in which period the majorities have occasionally been marginal. However, the constituency returned a Conservative majority at the 2019 general election of over 27,000.

Boundaries and boundary changes

1885–1918

Formed from northern parts of the abolished West Division of Essex including the Municipal Borough of Saffron Walden, and northern parts of the abolished East Division.

1918–1950

''Gained northern parts of Epping, including Great Dunmow and Hatfield Broad Oak, and northern parts of Maldon, including Halstead. Other minor changes.''

1950–1974

Local authorities re-organised – only nominal changes to boundaries of constituency.

1974–1983

The two small parishes within the Rural District of Braintree were included in the new constituency of Braintree.

1983–1997

Local authorities re-organised – no changes to boundaries of constituency.

1997–2010

Two small wards (Earls Colne and Gosfield) transferred to Braintree.

2010–2024

''The 2010 redistribution resulted in a major change, with eastern areas in the District of Braintree, including Halstead, being transferred to Braintree. Extended southwards to incorporate northern and western rural areas of the Borough of Chelmsford, including Writtle, which were transferred from the abolished constituency of West Chelmsford.''

Members of Parliament

From the snap election in 2017 until its abolition in 2024, this safe Conservative seat was represented by Kemi Badenoch. It was held for many years by former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rab Butler and by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Alan Haselhurst.

Elections

Elections in the 2010s

Elections in the 2000s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1950s

Election in the 1940s

Elections in the 1930s

General Election 1939–40: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected;

Elections in the 1920s

Elections in the 1910s

Elections in the 1900s

Elections in the 1890s

Elections in the 1880s