Ashfield was created in 1955, and is considered to is part of the Red Wall. The red wall is a term used in British politics to describe UK Parliament constituencies in Midlands and Northern England that traditionally vote Labour. However in 2019 many of these constituencies voted for the Conservative Party. Ashfield was one of these constituencies as it voted for Lee Anderson, a member of the Conservative Party. Anderson defected to Reform UK in March 2024, after having the whip removed. He is Reform UK's first and only MP. Before 2019 Ashfield only voted for the Conservatives once, in a by-election in 1977 when Tim Smith won the constituency. Smith represented the constituency for two years until he lost it in the 1979 general election . Apart from 1977 and 2019, Ashfield has voted for Labour. In the 2016 referendum on membership of the European Union, they voted 70% in favour of Brexit.[3]
1955–1974: The Urban Districts of Eastwood, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and Sutton-in-Ashfield. In the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Annesley, Bestwood Park, Brinsley, Felley, Linby, Newstead, Papplewick, and Selston.
1974–1983: The Urban Districts of Hucknall, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and Sutton-in-Ashfield. In the Rural District of Basford the parishes of Annesley, Felley, and Selston.
1983–2010: The District of Ashfield wards of Jacksdale, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Central, Kirkby-in-Ashfield East, Kirkby-in-Ashfield West, Selston, Sutton-in-Ashfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield East, Sutton-in-Ashfield North, Sutton-in-Ashfield West, Underwood, and Woodhouse, and the Borough of Broxtowe wards of Brinsley, Eastwood East, Eastwood North, and Eastwood South.
2010–present: The District of Ashfield wards of Jacksdale, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Central, Kirkby-in-Ashfield East, Kirkby-in-Ashfield West, Selston, Sutton-in-Ashfield Central, Sutton-in-Ashfield East, Sutton-in-Ashfield North, Sutton-in-Ashfield West, Underwood, and Woodhouse. Also the Borough of Broxtowe wards of Brinsley, Eastwood North and Greasley Beauvale, and Eastwood South.
For only two years since its creation in 1955 and up until 2019 has the constituency been represented by a party other than Labour. Tim Smith of the Conservative Party won the constituency in a by-election in 1977. Smith represented the constituency until he lost in the 1979 general election. In 2019 the constituency was won again by the conservatives. It was won by Lee Anderson. Anderson was a member of the labour party, however joined the Conservatives in 2018 after he was suspended from Labour. Anderson defected to Reform UK in March 2024, after having the whip suspended. He is Reform UK's first and only MP.
↑Noteː The Liberal Democrats had again selected Jason Zadrozny as their candidate for the 2015 general election. However he was suspended from the party and removed as a candidate, being replaced by Philip Smith.. Just weeks before the election Zadrozny was arrested and questioned for historic child sex abuse allegations. He was was later cleared of the charges.