Sunderland South (UK Parliament constituency)


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 by the first past the post system of election.
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.

History

Having been a Labour-Conservative marginal in the 1950s and 60s, Sunderland South was held by the Labour Party from 1964 until 2010, being represented by the politician and author Chris Mullin from 1987 until its abolition in 2010. Mullin did not contest the 2010 general election.
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.

Boundaries

1950–1955: The County Borough of Sunderland wards of Bishopwearmouth, Hendon, Humbledon, Pallion, Park, St Michael's, Sunderland East, Thornhill, and West.
1955–1974: The County Borough of Sunderland wards of Bishopwearmouth, Hendon, Humbledon, Pallion, Park, Pennywell, St Michael's, Thorney Close, and Thornhill.
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.
1983–1997: The Metropolitan Borough of Sunderland wards of Grindon, Hendon, Ryhope, St Chad's, St Michael's, Silksworth, Thorney Close, and Thornholme.
1997–2010: The City of Sunderland wards of Grindon, Hendon, St Chad's, St Michael's, Silksworth, South Hylton, Thorney Close, and Thornholme.
The constituency, as can be inferred from the name, formed the southern part of the City of Sunderland.

Boundary review

Following their review of parliamentary representation in Tyne and Wear, the Boundary Commission for England divided Sunderland South between two new constituencies, Houghton and Sunderland South and Sunderland Central. These new constituencies were first contested in 2010.

Members of Parliament

Elections

Elections in the 1950s

Elections in the 1960s

Elections in the 1970s

Elections in the 1980s

Elections in the 1990s

Elections in the 2000s