Bristol Central (UK Parliament constituency)

During the 2007 review, a proposal to rename Bristol West to "Bristol Central" was rejected.^[5]

Further to the completion of the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, Bristol Central will largely replace Bristol West, and will be first contested at the 2024 general election.^[6] However the Bishopston and Ashley Down ward will move to Bristol North West, and the Lawrence Hill and Easton wards to Bristol East.^[7]

Based on data from the 2021 census, the Electoral Calculus categorises the proposed seat as being part of the “Strong Left” demographic, those who have very economically left wing and socially liberal views, are composed of a largely student population and have an internationalist outlook including strong opposition to Brexit. For reference, the site gives a notional result of only 12% for those who voted Brexit back in 2016, indicating that Bristol Central is a heavily pro-Remain area. In addition to this, around 43% of the constituency is deprived, in terms of employment, income and education, which can be seen as considerably low in contrast to the national average of 52% deprivation, according to the site. For general statistics, the average age is 37.6, at least 65% of the local population owns a car, whilst 41% own a home, and the gross household income is £48,529.^[8]

Bristol Central has also been reported to be the most pro-immigration constituency in the United Kingdom; 55 per cent of voters wanted fewer controls and higher numbers in Bristol, a survey published by the Telegraph found.^[9]

Bristol Central was recreated as a constituency for the 2024 general election, after being abolished in the 1970s. The modern Bristol Central became the successor constituency to Bristol West created from the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, of which Thangam Debbonaire was the final MP.^[10]

In January 2022, Debbonaire was reselected by the Labour Party to re-stand as a candidate in the next general election; on 4 September 2023 she was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by Keir Starmer.^[10][11] London Mayor Sadiq Khan visited Clifton to show support for Debbonaire, claiming that Bristol would "have a strong champion as culture secretary in the next Labour government”.^[12]

Bristol Central is a target seat for the Green Party where all 14 Bristol City Council members are Greens; the Green party selected Carla Denyer as their candidate.^[13][14][15] Following the May local elections, the Green Party became the biggest party in Bristol City Council.^[16] Denyer aimed to capitalise upon voters “feeling utterly uninspired by the potential of a Keir Starmer-led Labour party”.^[17] Former MP for Liverpool Riverside, Dame Louise Ellman accused the Green Party of stirring up divisions over the Gaza War as part of their electoral campaign, by including the Palestinian flag and images of destruction in Gaza on their distribution letters in Bristol.^[18]

Other running candidates included, Reform UK's Robert Clarke,^[19] the Liberal Democrats's Nicholas Coombes,^[20] and the Conservatives's Samuel Williams.^[21]

At the beginning of the election campaign, The Economist and the Financial Times predicted that Labour would win in Bristol Central Constituency, based upon poll tracking.^[22][23]

Constituent Carol Vorderman predicted the Green Party would win the election with 52% of the vote share.^[24]

1918–1950: The County Borough of Bristol wards of Central East, Central West, Redcliffe, St Augustine, St James, St Paul, and St Philip and Jacob South.

1950–1955: The County Borough of Bristol wards of Easton, Knowle, Redcliffe, St Paul, St Philip and Jacob North, and St Philip and Jacob South.

1955–1974: The County Borough of Bristol wards of Easton, Knowle, St Paul, St Philip and Jacob, and Windmill Hill.

2024-present:

Map of boundaries from 2024

Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, enacted by the Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023, from the 2024 general election, the constituency will be composed of the following (as they existed on 1 December 2020):

• The City of Bristol wards of Ashley, Central, Clifton, Clifton Down, Cotham, Hotwells and Harbourside, and Redland.^[25]

The re-established seat will comprise approximately 70% of the, to be abolished, constituency of Bristol West.^[26]

• 1943 Bristol Central by-election
• Politics of Bristol

• Craig, Fred W. S. (1983) [1969]. British parliamentary election results 1918-1949 (3rd ed.). Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services. ISBN 0-900178-06-X.

• Bristol Central UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK