Sunderland South (UK Parliament constituency) explained

54.89°N -1.378°W

Sunderland South
Parliament:	uk
Map1:	SunderlandSouth
Map2:	EnglandTyneWear
Map Entity:	Tyne and Wear
Map Year:	2005
Year:	1950
Abolished:	2010
Type:	Borough
Region:	England
Elects Howmany:	One

Sunderland South was, from 1950 until 2010, a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.

History

Sunderland South, as can be inferred from the name, formed the southern part of the County Borough (now City) of Sunderland. The constituency was created by the Representation of the People Act 1948 for the 1950 general election when the existing two-member Sunderland seat was split in two. Parts also transferred from Houghton-le-Spring.

It was abolished for the 2010 general election when most of its contents were divided between the two new constituencies of Sunderland Central (eastern areas) and Houghton and Sunderland South (western areas). St Anne's ward was transferred to the new constituency of Washington and Sunderland West.^[1]

Boundaries

1950–1955

• The County Borough of Sunderland wards of Bishopwearmouth, Hendon, Humbledon, Pallion, Park, St Michael's, Sunderland East, Thornhill, and West.^[2]

1955–1974

• The County Borough of Sunderland wards of Bishopwearmouth, Hendon, Humbledon, Pallion, Park, Pennywell, St Michael's, Thorney Close, and Thornhill.

Minor changes.

1974–1983

• The County Borough of Sunderland wards of Bishopwearmouth, Hendon, Humbledon, Pennywell, Ryhope, St Chad's, St Michael's, Silksworth, Thorney Close, and Thornhill.^[3]

Boundaries expanded southwards in line with those of the County Borough, including the gain of Ryhope and Silksworth from Houghton-le-Spring.  Existing boundary with Sunderland North realigned, including the loss of Pallion ward.

1983–1997

• The Metropolitan Borough of Sunderland wards of Grindon, Hendon, Ryhope, St Chad's, St Michael's, Silksworth, Thorney Close, and Thornholme.^[4] Minor changes to take account of new ward boundaries.

1997–2010

• The City of Sunderland wards of Grindon, Hendon, St Chad's, St Michael's, Silksworth, South Hylton, Thorney Close, and Thornholme.^[5] South Hylton ward transferred from Sunderland North. Ryhope ward transferred to the new constituency of Houghton and Washington East.

Political history

Having been a Labour–Conservative marginal in the 1950s and 1960s, Sunderland South was held by the Labour Party from 1964 until 2010. Its last MP was journalist-politician Chris Mullin, who served between the 1987 and 2010 general elections, inclusive. Sunderland South was abolished as a result of the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which took effect at the 2010 election. Mullin did not seek re-election in 2010.

The constituency was well known for trying to be the first seat to declare its results, doing so in the general elections of 1992, 1997, 2001 and 2005.^[6]

Members of Parliament

Election		Member	Party
		Richard Ewart	Labour
			Conservative
			Labour
			Labour
	2010	constituency abolished: see Houghton and Sunderland South & Sunderland Central

Elections

Elections in the 2000s

See also

• History of parliamentary constituencies and boundaries in Tyne and Wear
• History of parliamentary constituencies and boundaries in Durham

External links

• Sunderland South UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK

Notes and References

1. Web site: Boundary Commission for England Fifth Periodical Report Vol 3 . 144–147.
2. Book: Craig, Fred W. S. . Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885-1972; . 1972 . Political Reference Publications . 0-900178-09-4 . Chichester . 60 . 539011.
3. Book: Craig, Fred W. S. . Boundaries of parliamentary constituencies 1885-1972; . 1972 . Political Reference Publications . 0-900178-09-4 . Chichester . 130 . 539011.
4. Web site: The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983 . 75.
5. Web site: The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995 . In the County of Tyne and Wear.
6. [Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]