# Stoke-on-Trent North (UK Parliament constituency)

Stoke-on-Trent North is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament by David Williams, a member of the Labour Party.

## Boundaries
### Historic

1950–1955: The County Borough of Stoke-on-Trent wards numbers 1 to 9 and 27.
1955–1983: The County Borough of Stoke-on-Trent wards numbers 1 to 8.
1983–1997: The City of Stoke-on-Trent wards of Burslem Central, Burslem Green, Chell, East Valley, Norton and Bradeley, and Tunstall North, and the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme wards of Butt Lane, Kidsgrove, Newchapel, and Talke.
1997–2010: The City of Stoke-on-Trent wards of Burslem Central, Burslem Grange, Chell, East Valley, Norton and Bradeley, and Tunstall North, and the District of Staffordshire Moorlands wards of Brown Edge and Endon, and Stanley.
2010–2024: The City of Stoke-on-Trent wards of Burslem North, Burslem South, Chell and Packmoor, East Valley, Norton and Bradeley, and Tunstall, and the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme wards of Butt Lane, Kidsgrove, Ravenscliffe, and Talke.

### Current

Under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency was defined as composing the following as they existed on 1 December 2020:
* The Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme wards of: Kidsgrove & Ravenscliffe; Newchapel & Mow Cop; Talke & Butt Lane.
* The City of Stoke-on-Trent wards of: Baddeley, Milton and Norton; Bradeley and Chell Heath; Burslem Central; Burslem Park; Ford Green and Smallthorne; Goldenhill and Sandyford; Great Chell and Packmoor; Little Chell and Stanfield; Moorcroft; Tunstall.
In order to bring the electorate within the permitted range, the Kidsgrove district of Newchapel was transferred from Staffordshire Moorlands. The boundary with Stoke-on-Trent Central was re-aligned to take account of revised ward boundaries.
Following a further local government boundary review in the City of Stoke-on-Trent which came into effect in May 2023, the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:
* The Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme wards of: Kidsgrove & Ravenscliffe; Newchapel & Mow Cop; Talke & Butt Lane.
* The City of Stoke-on-Trent wards of: Baddeley, Milton & Norton; Bradeley and Chell Heath; Burslem; Burslem Park; Ford Green & Smallthorne; Goldenhill & Sandyford; Great Chell & Packmoor; Little Chell & Stanfield; Moorcroft & Sneyd Green (majority); Tunstall; and a very small part of Etruria & Hanley.

## Constituency profile

Each of the three constituencies of Stoke-on-Trent contain two of the historic "six towns" of the Potteries. Burslem and Tunstall are Stoke-on-Trent North's long-established ceramics and porcelain settlements; see Staffordshire Potteries.
The area has relatively fast connections compared to other seats in the county, equally to Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. However, the area's traditional pottery industry has shed many jobs. Workless claimants, registered jobseekers, were in November 2012 higher than the national average of 3.8%, at 5.2% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian, the middle figure of the three rates for the city's seats.

## History

The constituency was created for the 1950 general election as the successor to the Burslem Division of Stoke-on-Trent. It also included parts of the Leek constituency which had been absorbed into the County Borough of Stoke-on-Trent.

### Political history

This seat and its predecessor had elected Labour MPs at every election since 1935, until Jonathan Gullis won the seat for the Conservatives from incumbent Ruth Smeeth in 2019. Labour's David Williams recaptured the seat from Gullis at the 2024 general election.

### Prominent members

As a frontbench member in government, John Forrester became in 1970 a Health Minister, before the election of that year.

## Members of Parliament

| Election | Member | Party |
| 1950 | Albert Davies | Labour |
| 1953 by-election | Harriet Slater | Labour Co-op |
| 1966 | John Forrester | Labour |
| 1987 | Joan Walley | Labour |
| 2015 | Ruth Smeeth | Labour |
| 2019 | Jonathan Gullis | Conservative |
| 2024 | David Williams | Labour |

## Elections
### Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | David Williams | 14,579 | 40.3 | +5.5 |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Gullis | 9,497 | 26.3 | −27.8 |
| | Reform UK | Karl Beresford | 8,824 | 24.4 | +18.8 |
| | Green | Josh Harris | 1,236 | 3.4 | +2.0 |
| | Independent | Jag Boyapti | 1,103 | 3.1 | N/A |
| | Liberal Democrats | Lucy Hurds | 911 | 2.5 | −0.8 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 5,082 | 14.1 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 36,150 | 51.8 | −8.1 |
| | Labour gain from Conservative | Labour gain from Conservative | Swing | +16.6 | |

### Elections in the 2010s

General election 2019: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Conservative | Jonathan Gullis | 20,974 | 52.3 | 7.0 |
| | Labour | Ruth Smeeth | 14,688 | 36.6 | 14.3 |
| | Brexit Party | Richard Watkin | 2,374 | 5.9 | New |
| | Liberal Democrats | Peter Andras | 1,268 | 3.2 | 1.0 |
| | Green | Alan Borgars | 508 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| | Independent | Matthew Dilworth | 322 | 0.8 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 6,286 | 15.7 | N/A |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,134 | 57.5 | 1.1 |
| | Conservative gain from Labour | Conservative gain from Labour | Swing | 10.7 | |
General election 2017: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ruth Smeeth | 21,272 | 50.9 | 11.0 |
| | Conservative | Benedict Adams | 18,913 | 45.3 | 17.9 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Richard Whelan | 916 | 2.2 | 0.7 |
| | Green | Doug Rouxel | 685 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 2,359 | 5.6 | 6.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,786 | 58.6 | 5.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 3.4 | |
General election 2015: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Ruth Smeeth | 15,429 | 39.9 | 4.4 |
| | Conservative | Benedict Adams | 10,593 | 27.4 | 3.6 |
| | UKIP | Geoff Locke | 9,542 | 24.7 | 18.5 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Paul Roberts | 1,137 | 2.9 | 14.8 |
| | Green | Sean Adam | 1,091 | 2.8 | New |
| | Independent | John Millward | 508 | 1.3 | New |
| | Independent | Craig Pond | 354 | 0.9 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 4,836 | 12.5 | 8.0 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,654 | 53.2 | 2.6 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 4.0 | |
General election 2010: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joan Walley | 17,815 | 44.3 | 11.5 |
| | Conservative | Andy Large | 9,580 | 23.8 | 6.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Fisher | 7,120 | 17.7 | 4.2 |
| | BNP | Melanie Baddeley | 3,196 | 8.0 | 2.0 |
| | UKIP | Geoff Locke | 2,485 | 6.2 | 2.1 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,235 | 20.5 | 11.9 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 40,196 | 55.8 | 4.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | 8.8 | |

### Elections of the 2000s

General election 2005: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joan Walley | 16,191 | 52.6 | −5.4 |
| | Conservative | Benjamin Browning | 6,155 | 20.0 | +1.2 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Henry Jebb | 4,561 | 14.8 | +2.9 |
| | BNP | Spencer Cartlidge | 2,132 | 6.9 | New |
| | UKIP | Eileen Braithwaite | 696 | 2.3 | New |
| | Veritas | Ian Taylor | 689 | 2.2 | New |
| | Independent | Harry Chesters | 336 | 1.1 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,036 | 32.6 | −6.6 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,760 | 52.7 | +0.8 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -3.3 | |
General election 2001: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joan Walley | 17,460 | 58.0 | −7.2 |
| | Conservative | Benjamin Browning | 5,676 | 18.8 | −1.4 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Henry Jebb | 3,580 | 11.9 | +1.2 |
| | Independent | Charles Wanger | 3,399 | 11.3 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 11,784 | 39.2 | −5.8 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,115 | 51.9 | −13.4 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | -2.9 | |

### Elections of the 1990s

General election 1997: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joan Walley | 25,190 | 65.2 | +8.5 |
| | Conservative | Christopher Day | 7,798 | 20.2 | −9.0 |
| | Liberal Democrats | Henry Jebb | 4,141 | 10.7 | −2.6 |
| | Referendum | Jennefer Tobin | 1,537 | 4.0 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,392 | 45.0 | +17.5 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 38,664 | 65.3 | −8.1 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +11.9 | |
General election 1992: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joan Walley | 30,464 | 56.7 | +9.6 |
| | Conservative | Laurence Harris | 15,687 | 29.2 | −2.1 |
| | Liberal Democrats | John Redfern | 7,167 | 13.3 | −8.3 |
| | Natural Law | Alan Morrison | 387 | 0.7 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,777 | 27.5 | +11.7 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,705 | 73.4 | +0.5 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +5.9 | |

### Elections of the 1980s

General election 1987: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Joan Walley | 25,459 | 47.1 | +0.8 |
| | Conservative | Reginald Davies | 16,946 | 31.3 | +0.4 |
| | SDP | Stephen Simmonds | 11,665 | 21.6 | −1.2 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,513 | 15.8 | +0.4 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 54, 070 | 72.9 | +1.9 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | +0.2 | |
General election 1983: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Forrester | 24,721 | 46.3 | −13.1 |
| | Conservative | Roger Ibbs | 16,518 | 30.9 | +0.3 |
| | SDP | Trevor Beswick | 12,186 | 22.8 | +13.6 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 8,203 | 15.4 | −13.3 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 53,425 | 71.0 | −1.7 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |

### Elections of the 1970s

General election 1979: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Forrester | 25,652 | 59.36 | |
| | Conservative | Roger Ibbs | 13,228 | 30.61 | |
| | Liberal | Clive Smedley | 3,994 | 9.24 | |
| | National Front | C Baugh | 341 | 0.79 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,424 | 28.75 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,215 | 72.75 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election October 1974: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Forrester | 25,264 | 60.59 | |
| | Conservative | JWD Davies | 10,192 | 24.44 | |
| | Liberal | M Smith | 6,239 | 14.96 | New |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,072 | 36.15 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 41,695 | 69.61 | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election February 1974: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | John Forrester | 28,177 | 64.19 |
| | Conservative | J Davies | 15,718 | 35.81 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,459 | 28.38 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 43,895 | 73.95 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1970: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | John Forrester | 20,642 | 66.19 | |
| | Conservative | JS Heath | 10,542 | 33.81 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 10,100 | 32.38 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 31,184 | 52.95 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |

### Elections of the 1960s

General election 1966: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | John Forrester | 28,491 | 71.54 |
| | Conservative | LCN Bury | 11,335 | 28.46 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 17,156 | 43.08 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39,826 | 72.44 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1964: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour Co-op | Harriet Slater | 27,584 | 64.74 |
| | Conservative | B David Barton | 15,025 | 35.26 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,559 | 29.48 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 42,609 | 76.24 |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | |

### Elections of the 1950s

General election 1959: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour Co-op | Harriet Slater | 29,336 | 63.97 |
| | Conservative | Samuel Middup | 16,522 | 36.03 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 12,814 | 27.94 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 45,858 | 78.61 |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | |
General election 1955: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour Co-op | Harriet Slater | 29,473 | 66.87 |
| | Conservative | Samuel Middup | 14,599 | 33.13 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 14,874 | 33.74 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 44,072 | 75.31 |
| | Labour Co-op hold | Labour Co-op hold | Swing | |
By Election 1953: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour Co-op | Harriet Slater | 23,103 | 75.49 | +4.05 |
| | Conservative | Samuel Middup | 7,502 | 24.51 | −4.05 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 15,601 | 50.98 | +8.10 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 30,605 | | |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | | |
General election 1951: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Labour | Albert Davies | 36,692 | 71.44 |
| | National Liberal | James Coventry | 14,668 | 28.56 |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22,024 | 42.88 |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,360 | 83.81 |
| | Labour hold | Labour hold | Swing | |
General election 1950: Stoke-on-Trent North :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Labour | Albert Davies | 36,896 | 71.58 | |
| | Conservative | PW Hodgens | 14,647 | 28.42 | |
| Majority | Majority | Majority | 22,249 | 43.16 | |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 51,543 | 85.01 | |
| | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) | Labour win (new seat) |