Wrexham (Welsh: Wrecsam) is a parliamentary constituency[n 1] centred on the city of Wrexham in the preserved county of Clwyd, Wales in the United Kingdom. It was created in 1918, and is represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Andrew Ranger of the Labour Party.[n 2]
The constituency retained its name and gained wards, as part of the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies and under the June 2023 final recommendations of the Boundary Commission for Wales for the 2024 general election.[2]
Labour won the seat in all general elections from 1935 until 2019, when Conservative Sarah Atherton became the first woman elected to represent Wrexham.[3] This result was reversed in 2024 when Andrew Ranger regained the seat for Labour.
Tom Ellis, first elected in 1970, defected in 1981 to the newly founded Social Democratic Party. In 1983, he unsuccessfully stood for Clwyd South West instead.[4]
Turnout has ranged between 57.5% in 2024 and 87.3% in 1950.
Until 1885, Wrexham was part of the Denbighshire parliamentary constituency, which elected one Member of Parliament until the Reform Act 1832 increased this to two members. In 1885 the Denbighshire constituency was split — the area covered today became part of East Denbighshire constituency.
In 1918 the Wrexham constituency was created, electing one Member of Parliament.
1918–1949: The Municipal Borough of Wrexham, and the Rural District of Wrexham, and part of Chirk.
1950–1983: The Municipal Borough of Wrexham, and part of the Rural Districts of Ceiriog, and Wrexham.[5]
1983–1997: The Borough of Wrexham Maelor wards Nos. 1 to 12, 23 to 25 and 28 to 36.[6]
For the 1983 general election, major boundary reorganisation saw large areas removed from the Wrexham constituency to form part of the new constituency of Clwyd South West.
1997–2010: The Borough of Wrexham Maelor wards of Acton, Borras Park, Caia Park, Garden Village, Gresford East and West, Grosvenor, Gwersyllt East and South, Gwersyllt North, Gwersyllt West, Holt, Little Acton, Llay, Maesydre, Marford and Hoseley, Offa East, Offa West, Queensway, Rhosnesni, Rossett, Stansty, and Whitegate.[7] Further parts included in the new constituency of Clywd South (which replaced Clwyd South West).
2010–2024: The following County Borough of Wrexham wards: Acton, Borras Park, Brynyffynnon, Cartrefle, Erddig, Garden Village, Gresford East and West, Grosvenor, Gwersyllt East and South, Gwersyllt North, Gwersyllt West, Hermitage, Holt, Little Acton, Llay, Maesydre, Marford and Hoseley, Offa, Queensway, Rhosnesni, Rossett, Smithfield, Stansty, Whitegate, Wynnstay.[8]
No changes to boundaries.
2024–present: Under the 2023 boundary review, drawn up in accordance with the ward structure in existence on 1 December 2020, the constituency was defined as comprising the wards above, plus Bronington, Brymbo, Bryn Cefn, Coedpoeth, Gwenfro, Marchwiel, Minera, New Broughton, and Overton, transferred from the now abolished Clywd South constituency.[9]
Following a local government boundary review which came into effect in May 2022,[10] the constituency now comprises the following wards of the County Borough of Wrexham from the 2024 general election:[11]
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;
Of the 55 rejected ballots:
Of the 68 rejected ballots:
Of the 70 rejected ballots:
53°04′34″N 2°56′59″W / 53.07611°N 2.94972°W / 53.07611; -2.94972