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Ribble Valley
County constituency
for the House of Commons
Map
Interactive map of boundaries since 2024
Map of constituency
Boundary of Ribble Valley in North West England
CountyLancashire
Electorate75,993 (2023)[1]
Major settlementsBamber Bridge, Fulwood, Gisburn, Longridge
Current constituency
Created1983
Member of ParliamentMaya Ellis (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created fromClitheroe, Preston North, Darwen, Skipton and Fylde South[2]

Ribble Valley is a constituency[n 1] in Lancashire represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Maya Ellis of the Labour Party.[n 2]

Constituency profile

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The view from Longridge Fell over Chipping Vale. The hills of Parlick and Fair Snape are visible in the distance

Ribble Valley is a constituency in Lancashire in North West England, covering parts of the Ribble Valley, South Ribble and City of Preston districts. It is named after the River Ribble, which flows through the constituency. Ribble Valley's primary population centre is the area just south of Preston based around the large village of Bamber Bridge, including the connected villages of Lostock Hall and Walton-le-Dale. The constituency also includes some northern Preston suburbs (Fulwood and Cottam) and the rural towns and villages of Longridge, Broughton, Grimsargh and Wilpshire.

Like many Lancashire settlements, the Bamber Bridge area south of Preston has a history of textile manufacturing, especially cotton spinning. The Fulwood residential area north of Preston was mostly developed during the 20th century to accommodate the city's expansion. Today, both areas are largely affluent and suburban in character with mostly detached and semi-detached housing.[3][4] House prices across the constituency are generally higher than the rest of North West England but lower than the UK average.[5]

The constituency then stretches north-east of Preston to cover a large, sparsely-populated rural area. Most of this region is taken up by the Forest of Bowland, a National Landscape and outlying part of the Pennines consisting of gritstone fells and peat moorland. This area contains many small villages, hamlets and farms. The main rural settlement is the small market town of Longridge, which was traditionally an important centre for quarrying. Like the suburban parts of this constituency, the rural area is also mostly wealthy.[3]

Ribble Valley has a low proportion of young adults and an above-average retired population.[6] Residents have high levels of income and homeownership and the child poverty rate is low.[5][7] They are generally well-educated and more likely to be religious than the rest of the country;[5][8] like the rest of Lancashire, there is a large Roman Catholic population here due to historic Irish migration. A high proportion of residents work in the health, manufacturing and agriculture sectors,[9] and the percentage claiming unemployment benefits is around half the UK-wide rate.[7] White people made up 91% of the population at the 2021 census. Asians, mostly of Indian origin, made up 6% of residents but were around a quarter of the population in the Fulwood area.[10]

At the district council level, Longridge and the Bamber Bridge area are mostly represented by Labour Party councillors, Fulwood by Liberal Democrats and the rural areas by Conservatives. At the county council, which held elections in 2025, all seats in the constituency except Fulwood were won by Reform UK. An estimated 55% of voters in Ribble Valley supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, marginally higher than the UK-wide figure of 52%.[5]

History

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The Ribble Valley constituency was created in 1983 almost wholly from the former seat of Clitheroe. Much of the eastern part of the constituency lies within the historic county boundaries of the West Riding of Yorkshire.

Until 2024, with the exception of one year when, following a by-election, it was represented by a Liberal Democrat, the MP had been a Conservative; the lowest majority was 11.6% in 1997. The seat was held by David Waddington from 1983 to 1990. He was previously MP for Clitheroe from 1979 to 1983 and Nelson and Colne from 1968 to 1974. He was Home Secretary from 1989 to 1990. From 1992 to 2024, the MP was Nigel Evans, who twice held the post of Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.

In 2024, the seat fell to Labour for the first time. Maya Ellis defeated Evans with a majority of 1.6% as a result of a 16.9% swing.

Boundaries

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Historic

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1983–1997: The Borough of Ribble Valley, and the Borough of Preston wards of Cadley, Greyfriars, Preston Rural East, and Sharoe Green.

1997–2010: The Borough of Ribble Valley, the City of Preston wards of Cadley, Greyfriars, Preston Rural East, Sharoe Green, and Sherwood, and the Borough of South Ribble wards of All Saints, and Samlesbury and Cuerdale.

2010–2015: The Borough of Ribble Valley, and the ten Borough of South Ribble wards of Bamber Bridge East, Bamber Bridge North, Bamber Bridge West, Coupe Green and Gregson Lane, Farington East, Farington West, Lostock Hall, Samlesbury and Walton, Tardy Gate, and Walton-le-Dale.

In the run up to the 2010 general election, the Boundary Commission's Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies led Parliament to approve the creation of a new seat of Wyre and Preston North, to which the City of Preston wards, including Fulwood, were transferred. To compensate, the constituency was extended further into the Borough of South Ribble to include the more urban communities of Bamber Bridge and Walton-le-Dale from Preston, and Farington from South Ribble.

2015–2024: The Borough of Ribble Valley, and the nine Borough of South Ribble wards of Bamber Bridge East, Bamber Bridge West, Coupe Green and Gregson Lane, Farington East, Farington West, Lostock Hall, Samlesbury and Walton, Walton-le-Dale East and Walton-le-Dale West.

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England modified the Borough of South Ribble ward boundaries and names in 2015, which altered the contents, but not the boundaries of the constituency.

Current

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Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 United Kingdom general election, the constituency is composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

  • The City of Preston wards of: Greyfriars; Preston Rural East; Preston Rural North; Sharoe Green.
  • The Borough of Ribble Valley wards of: Alston & Hothersall; Billington & Langho; Bowland; Brockhall & Dinckley; Chipping; Clayton-le-Dale & Salesbury; Derby & Thornley; Dilworth; Gisburn & Rimington; Hurst Green & Whitewell; Mellor; Ribchester; Waddington, Bashall Eaves & Mitton; West Bradford & Grindleton; Whalley Nethertown; Wilpshire & Ramsgreave.
  • The Borough of South Ribble wards of: Bamber Bridge East; Bamber Bridge West; Coupe Green & Gregson Lane; Lostock Hall; Samlesbury & Walton; Walton-le-Dale East; Walton-le-Dale West.[11]

The seat lost the town of Clitheroe and its environs to the new constituency of Pendle and Clitheroe and regained parts of rural and northern Preston, including the centre of Fulwood, transferred from the abolished constituency of Wyre and Preston North. In the Borough of South Ribble, Farington was returned to the South Ribble seat.[12][13]

Members of Parliament

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ElectionMember[14] PartyNotes
1983David Waddington ConservativeGovernment Chief Whip 1987–1989; Home Secretary 1989–1990; Resigned 1990, on being raised to the peerage
1991 by-electionMichael Carr Liberal DemocratsDefeated at the 1992 general election
1992Nigel Evans ConservativeFirst Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (2010–2013)
Executive Secretary of the 1922 Committee (2017–2020)
Second Deputy Chairman of Ways and Means (2020–2024)
2013 Independent
2014 Conservative
2024Maya Ellis Labour

Elections

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Election results 1983-2024

Elections in the 2020s

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General election 2024: Ribble Valley[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Maya Ellis 18,177 34.9 +7.3
Conservative Nigel Evans 17,321 33.3 −26.5
Reform John Carroll 8,524 16.4 N/A
Liberal Democrats John Potter 5,001 9.6 +1.6
Green Caroline Montague 1,727 3.3 +0.5
Independent Qasim Ajmi 1,273 2.4 N/A
Majority 856 1.6 N/A
Turnout 52,023 64.6 −4.1
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +16.9

Elections in the 2010s

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General election 2019: Ribble Valley[16]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 33,346 60.3 +2.5
Labour Giles Bridge 14,907 27.0 −6.9
Liberal Democrats Chantelle Seddon 4,776 8.6 +2.7
Green Paul Yates 1,704 3.1 +0.7
Independent Tony Johnson 551 1.0 New
Majority 18,439 33.3 +9.4
Turnout 55,284 69.8 −1.0
Conservative hold Swing +4.7
General election 2017: Ribble Valley[17]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 31,919 57.8 +9.2
Labour David Hinder 18,720 33.9 +11.3
Liberal Democrats Allan Knox 3,247 5.9 +0.6
Green Graham Sowter 1,314 2.4 −1.8
Majority 13,199 23.9 −2.1
Turnout 55,363 70.8 +3.7
Conservative hold Swing −1.0
General election 2015: Ribble Valley[18][19]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 25,404 48.6 −1.7
Labour David Hinder 11,798 22.6 +0.6
UKIP Shirley Parkinson 8,250 15.8 +9.1
Liberal Democrats Jackie Pearcey 2,756 5.3 −15.2
Green Graham Sowter 2,193 4.2 New
Independent David Brass 1,498 2.9 New
Independent Grace Astley 288 0.6 New
Independent Tony Johnson 56 0.1 −0.3
Majority 13,606 26.0 −2.3
Turnout 52,243 67.1 +0.1
Conservative hold Swing −1.1
General election 2010: Ribble Valley[20][21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 26,298 50.3 +5.4
Labour Paul Foster 11,529 22.0 +0.1
Liberal Democrats Allan Knox 10,732 20.5 −2.1
UKIP Stephen Rush 3,496 6.7 +4.0
Independent Tony Johnson 232 0.4 New
Majority 14,769 28.3 +13.2
Turnout 52,287 67.0 +5.5
Conservative hold Swing +2.6

Elections in the 2000s

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General election 2005: Ribble Valley[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 25,834 51.9 +0.4
Liberal Democrats Julie Young 11,663 22.6 −6.0
Labour Jack Davenport 10,924 21.9 +2.0
UKIP Kevin Henry 1,345 2.7 New
Majority 14,171 29.3 +5.4
Turnout 49,776 65.7 −0.5
Conservative hold Swing +3.2
General election 2001: Ribble Valley[23]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 25,308 51.5 +4.8
Liberal Democrats Michael Carr 14,070 28.6 −6.5
Labour Marcus B. Johnstone 9,793 19.9 +4.2
Majority 11,238 22.9 +11.3
Turnout 49,171 66.2 −12.3
Conservative hold Swing +5.7

Elections in the 1990s

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General election 1997: Ribble Valley[24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 26,702 46.7 −5.9
Liberal Democrats Michael Carr 20,062 35.1 −3.2
Labour Marcus B. Johnstone 9,013 15.7 +7.0
Referendum Julian Parkinson 1,297 2.3 New
Natural Law Nicola Holmes 147 0.2 +0.0
Majority 6,640 11.6 −0.1
Turnout 57,221 78.5 −6.5
Conservative hold Swing −1.3
General election 1992: Ribble Valley[25][26]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative Nigel Evans 29,178 52.4 −8.5
Liberal Democrats Michael Carr 22,636 40.6 +19.2
Labour Ronald Pickup 3,649 6.5 −11.2
Raving Loony Green Giant David Beesley 152 0.3 N/A
Natural Law Nicola Holmes 112 0.2 New
Majority 6,542 11.8 −27.7
Turnout 55,727 85.0 +5.9
Conservative gain from Liberal Democrats Swing −13.9
By election 1991: Ribble Valley
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Liberal Democrats Michael Carr 22,377 48.5 +27.1
Conservative Nigel Evans 17,776 38.5 −22.4
Labour Josephine Farrington 4,356 9.5 −8.2
Ind. Conservative David Brass 611 1.3 New
Green Halldora Ingham 466 1.0 New
Monster Raving Loony Screaming Lord Sutch 278 0.6 New
Liberal Simon Taylor 133 0.3 New
Independent – Corrective Party Lindi St Claire 72 0.2 New
Raving Loony Green Giant Clitheroe Kid Stuart Hughes 60 0.1 New
Majority 4,601 10.0 N/A
Turnout 46,129 71.1 −8.0
Liberal Democrats gain from Conservative Swing +24.7

Elections in the 1980s

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General election 1987: Ribble Valley[27]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Waddington 30,136 60.9 −2.5
SDP Michael Carr 10,608 21.4 −1.7
Labour Greg Pope 8,781 17.7 +4.2
Majority 19,528 39.5 −0.8
Turnout 49,525 79.1 +2.3
Conservative hold Swing −0.4
General election 1983: Ribble Valley[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Conservative David Waddington 29,223 63.4
SDP Michael Carr 10,632 23.1
Labour Edward Saville 6,214 13.5
Majority 18,591 40.3
Turnout 46,060 76.8
Conservative win (new seat)

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. ↑ As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.

References

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  1. ↑ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 18 July 2024.
  2. ↑ "'Ribble Valley', June 1983 up to May 1997". ElectionWeb Project. Cognitive Computing Limited. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Constituency data: Deprivation in England". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Accommodation type - Census Maps, ONS". ons.gov.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Seat Details - Ribble Valley". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Constituency data: Population, by age". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  7. 1 2 "Constituency dashboard". House of Commons Library. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "2021 census results: Religion in your constituency". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "Constituency data: businesses and industries". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "2021 census results: Ethnic groups in your constituency". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
  12. ↑ Preston households to become Ribble Valley at next election Blog Preston
  13. ↑ New election boundaries carve up Ribble Valley and Pendle Lancaster Telegraph
  14. ↑ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "R" (part 1)
  15. ↑ Ribble Valley
  16. ↑ "Statement of persons nominated 2019" (PDF).
  17. ↑ "Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency". BBC News.
  18. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  19. ↑ "Ribble Valley". BBC News. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  20. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  21. ↑ "BBC News – Election 2010 – Constituency – Ribble Valley". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  22. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  25. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  26. ↑ "UK General Election results April 1992". Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  27. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  28. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
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53°52′23″N 2°23′28″W / 53.873°N 2.391°W / 53.873; -2.391

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