# West Dunbartonshire (UK Parliament constituency)

West Dunbartonshire is a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election.
The current constituency was first used in the 2005 general election. There was also an earlier West Dunbartonshire constituency, from 1950 to 1983.
The current MP is Douglas McAllister of the Labour Party, who was elected at the 2024 United Kingdom general election.

## Boundaries
### Historic

The historic constituency was created under the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949 and first used in the 1950 general election.
As created in 1950, the constituency was one of two covering the county of Dunbarton. The other was East Dunbartonshire. The two new constituencies replaced the earlier constituencies of Dunbartonshire and Dumbarton Burghs.
West Dunbartonshire covered the Helensburgh, Old Kilpatrick, and Vale of Leven districts of the county and the burghs of Cove and Kilcreggan, Dumbarton and Helensburgh.
For the 1951 general election the constituency boundaries were adjusted to take account of a change to the boundaries of the Old Kilpatrick district.
The results of the First Periodical Review of the Boundary Commission were implemented for the 1955 general election, but there was no change to the boundaries of West Dunbartonshire, and the boundaries of 1951 and 1955 were used also in the general elections of 1959, 1964, 1966 and 1970.
The results of the Second Periodical Review were implemented for the February 1974 general election. The review took account of population growth in the county of Dunbarton, caused by overspill from the city of Glasgow into the new town of Cumbernauld and elsewhere, and West Dunbartonshire became one of three constituencies covering the county. The other two were East Dunbartonshire and Central Dunbartonshire. West Dunbartonshire now covered the Helensburgh and Vale of Leven districts and the burghs of Cove and Kilcreggan, Dumbarton and Helensburgh.
February 1974 boundaries were used also for the general elections of October 1974 and 1979.
In 1975, under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, Scottish counties were abolished in favour of regions and districts and islands council areas, and the county of Dunbarton was divided between several districts of the new region of Strathclyde. The Third Periodical Review took account of new local government boundaries and the results were implemented for the 1983 general election.

### Current

2005–2024: The existing constituency was created for the 2005 general election as a result of the Fifth Periodical Review of the Boundary Commission for Scotland. It covered and was entirely within the West Dunbartonshire council area. The area of the constituency was previously divided between the Dumbarton and Clydebank and Milngavie constituencies. It includes the population centres of Clydebank, Dumbarton and Alexandria.
2024–present: Under the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency was expanded slightly to the east to include a small part of the Glasgow City Council ward of Garscadden/Scotstounhill.

## Members of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1950 | Adam McKinlay | Labour |
| 1950 by-election | Tom Steele | Labour |
| 1970 | Ian Campbell | Labour |
| 1983 | constituency abolished | constituency abolished |
| | constituency recreated | constituency recreated |
| 2005 | John McFall | Labour |
| 2010 | Gemma Doyle | Labour |
| 2015 | Martin Docherty-Hughes | SNP |
| 2024 | Douglas McAllister | Labour |

## Election results
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Douglas McAllister | 19,312 | 48.8 | +20.2 |
| | SNP | Martin Docherty-Hughes | 13,302 | 33.6 | −16.1 |
| | Reform UK | David Smith | 2,770 | 7.0 | N/A |
| | Scottish Green | Paula Baker | 1,496 | 3.8 | +1.9 |
| | Conservative | Maurice Corry | 1,474 | 3.7 | −10.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Donald Kennedy | 839 | 2.1 | −2.1 |
| | Scottish Family | Andrew Muir | 318 | 0.8 | N/A |
| | Sovereignty | Kelly Wilson | 73 | 0.2 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,010 | 15.2 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,584 | 57.3 | −9.0 |
| Registered electors | Registered electors | Registered electors | 69,074 | | |
| | Labour gain from SNP | Labour gain from SNP | Swing | +18.2 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | SNP | Martin Docherty-Hughes | 22,396 | 49.6 | +6.7 |
| | Labour | Jean Mitchell | 12,843 | 28.5 | −9.2 |
| | Conservative | Alix Mathieson | 6,436 | 14.3 | −2.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Jennifer Lang | 1,890 | 4.2 | +1.9 |
| | Scottish Green | Peter Connolly | 867 | 1.9 | New |
| | Independent | Andrew Muir | 708 | 1.6 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 9,553 | 21.1 | +15.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,140 | 68.0 | +2.9 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | Swing | +8.0 | |
General election 2017: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | SNP | Martin Docherty-Hughes | 18,890 | 42.9 | −16.1 |
| | Labour | Jean Mitchell | 16,602 | 37.7 | +6.4 |
| | Conservative | Penny Hutton | 7,582 | 17.2 | +10.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Rebecca Plenderleith | 1,009 | 2.3 | +0.7 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,288 | 5.2 | −22.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,083 | 65.1 | −8.8 |
| | SNP hold | SNP hold | Swing | -11.3 | |
General election 2015: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | SNP | Martin Docherty | 30,198 | 59.0 | +38.9 |
| | Labour Co-op | Gemma Doyle | 16,027 | 31.3 | −30.0 |
| | Conservative | Maurice Corry | 3,597 | 7.0 | −0.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Aileen Morton | 816 | 1.6 | −6.5 |
| | Independent | Claire Muir | 503 | 1.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,171 | 27.7 | N/A $^1$ |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,141 | 73.9 | +9.9 |
| | SNP gain from Labour Co-op | SNP gain from Labour Co-op | Swing | +34.5 | |
$^1$ Change to majority not meaningful as seat changed hands.
General election 2010: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Gemma Doyle | 25,905 | 61.3 | +9.4 |
| | SNP | Graeme McCormick | 8,497 | 20.1 | −1.7 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Helen Watt | 3,434 | 8.1 | −6.3 |
| | Conservative | Martyn McIntyre | 3,242 | 7.7 | +1.3 |
| | UKIP | Mitch Sorbie | 683 | 1.6 | +0.9 |
| | Socialist Labour | Katharine McGavigan | 505 | 1.2 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,408 | 41.2 | +11.1 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,266 | 64.0 | +2.7 |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | +5.5 | |

### Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | John McFall | 21,600 | 51.9 | −11.6 |
| | SNP | Tom Chalmers | 9,047 | 21.8 | −2.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Niall Walker | 5,999 | 14.4 | +12.0 |
| | Conservative | Campbell Murdoch | 2,679 | 6.4 | +1.4 |
| | Scottish Socialist | Les Robertson | 1,708 | 4.1 | −0.9 |
| | UKIP | Bryan Maher | 354 | 0.9 | New |
| | Christian Vote | Marlon Dawson | 202 | 0.5 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,553 | 30.1 | −9.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,589 | 61.3 | |
| | Labour Co-op win (new seat) | Labour Co-op win (new seat) | Labour Co-op win (new seat) | Labour Co-op win (new seat) | Labour Co-op win (new seat) |

### Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Campbell | 21,166 | 48.42 | +10.37 |
| | Conservative | J Cameron Munro | 14,709 | 33.65 | +10.48 |
| | SNP | Stan Stratton | 7,835 | 17.92 | −15.77 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,457 | 14.77 | +10.31 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,710 | 80.19 | +1.92 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -0.05 | |
General election October 1974: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Campbell | 15,511 | 38.15 | −1.45 |
| | SNP | A. Murray | 13,697 | 33.69 | +6.63 |
| | Conservative | R.R. MacDonald | 9,421 | 23.17 | −10.07 |
| | Liberal | J.D. Murricane | 2,029 | 4.99 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,814 | 4.46 | −1.90 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,640 | 78.27 | −1.30 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +4.04 | |
General election February 1974: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Campbell | 16,247 | 39.60 | −11.30 |
| | Conservative | Moira Carse | 13,638 | 33.24 | −3.91 |
| | SNP | A Murray | 11,144 | 27.16 | +15.18 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,609 | 6.36 | −7.41 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,129 | 79.57 | +1.64 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -13.24 | |
General election 1970: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ian Campbell | 23,009 | 50.90 | −1.36 |
| | Conservative | William Adams | 16,783 | 37.13 | +3.98 |
| | SNP | Robert O Campbell | 5,414 | 11.98 | −2.61 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,226 | 13.77 | −5.34 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,206 | 77.93 | −4.02 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +2.67 | |

### Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Thomas Steele | 21,636 | 52.26 | +1.51 |
| | Conservative | William Adams | 13,724 | 33.15 | −4.05 |
| | SNP | Robert O Campbell | 6,042 | 14.59 | +2.54 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 7,912 | 19.11 | +5.56 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,402 | 81.95 | −0.11 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +2.78 | |
General election 1964: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Thomas Steele | 21,079 | 50.75 | −1.79 |
| | Conservative | Patrick Tobias Telfer Smollett | 15,448 | 37.20 | −10.26 |
| | SNP | Alexander Gray | 5,004 | 12.05 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,631 | 13.55 | +8.47 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,531 | 82.06 | −1.61 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -6.92 | |

### Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tom Steele | 22,105 | 52.54 | +0.20 |
| | Unionist | Norman Macleod Glen | 19,964 | 47.46 | −0.20 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,141 | 5.08 | +0.40 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,069 | 83.67 | −1.17 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.20 | |
General election 1955: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tom Steele | 21,854 | 52.34 | +1.06 |
| | Unionist | Molly Huggins | 19,902 | 47.66 | +2.27 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 1,952 | 4.68 | −1.21 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,756 | 84.84 | −1.72 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.61 | |
General election 1951: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tom Steele | 21,799 | 51.28 | +0.92 |
| | Unionist | Patrick Fraser | 19,292 | 45.39 | −4.25 |
| | Liberal | Lawrence Lauderdale Maitland | 1,415 | 3.33 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,507 | 5.89 | +5.17 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,504 | 86.56 | +1.10 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +2.08 | |
1950 Dunbartonshire West by-election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Tom Steele | 20,367 | 50.36 | +1.07 |
| | Unionist | Robert Allan | 20,074 | 49.64 | +1.83 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 293 | 0.72 | −0.76 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,441 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.38 | |
General election 1950: West Dunbartonshire :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Adam McKinlay | 20,398 | 49.29 | N/A |
| | Unionist | Robert Allan | 19,785 | 47.81 | N/A |
| | Communist | Finlay Hart | 1,198 | 2.90 | N/A |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 613 | 1.48 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,381 | 85.46 | N/A |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |