Dulwich and West Norwood () is a constituency in South London created in 1997. It has been represented by Helen Hayes of Labour since her election in 2015.
In the 2016 EU referendum, Dulwich and West Norwood voted to remain in the European Union by an estimated 78%. This was the third highest proportion in the UK, behind Gibraltar and the neighbouring constituency of Vauxhall.
Constituency profile Dulwich and West Norwood is an urban and suburban constituency located in South London. It covers the neighbourhoods of Dulwich, West Norwood, Herne Hill and parts of Brixton. Like much of suburban London, the area grew rapidly in population during the late 19th century due to the arrival of rail transport. The constituency has average levels of deprivation, with more deprived areas around Brixton and wealthier areas in Dulwich. House prices are higher than the rest of London and more than double the national average.
In general, residents of the constituency are young, well-educated and less likely to own cars or homes. They have high levels of income and are more likely to work in professional occupations. The constituency is ethnically diverse; 2021 census data showed that White people made up 55% of the population, Black people were 25% and mixed race people were 9%. Brixton is particularly known for its Afro-Caribbean community; Black people make up nearly half the population in the area around Loughborough Junction. At the local council level, all wards covered by the constituency are represented by Labour Party councillors. In the 2016 Brexit referendum, voters in the constituency overwhelmingly supported remaining in the European Union; an estimated 79% voted to remain, the seventh-highest rate out of 650 constituencies nationwide according to Electoral Calculus.
Political history The Labour Party has safe majorities of more than a 15% share of the vote since the seat was created in 1997. The runner-up party in four of the seven general elections to date has been the Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats twice, and the Green Party twice.
When the constituency was created for the 1997 election, it was estimated that had the seat existed in 1992, Labour would have won it with a majority of less than 2,000 votes over the second placed Conservatives, making it a marginal seat. The 1997 result therefore suggested that the Conservative vote had halved since the previous election. This performance was poorer than the average fall of the Conservative vote in London and led the Almanac of British Politics to note that there was "now no question of this constituency being marginal."
Boundaries
Historic 1997–2010: The London Borough of Southwark wards of Alleyn, Bellenden, College, Lyndhurst, Ruskin, and Rye, and the London Borough of Lambeth wards of Gipsy Hill, Herne Hill, Knight's Hill, and Thurlow Park.
2010–2024: The London Borough of Southwark wards of College, East Dulwich, and Village, and the London Borough of Lambeth wards of Coldharbour; Gipsy Hill; Herne Hill; Knight’s Hill; Thurlow Park.
Current Further to the completion of the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the seat was subject to boundary changes which reflected revised ward names and boundaries in the borough of Southwark, with Dulwich Hill and Goose Green being included in the new constituency of Lewisham West and East Dulwich. In part compensation, the Champion Hill ward was transferred in from Camberwell and Peckham. No changes were made to the boundaries within the Borough of Lambeth.
Following these changes, as well as reflecting the 2022 local government review in Lambeth, the constituency now comprises the following:
The London Borough of Southwark wards of Champion Hill, Dulwich Village, and Dulwich Wood; and The London Borough of Lambeth wards of Brixton North (part), Brixton Rush Common (small part), Brixton Windrush, Gipsy Hill, Herne Hill & Loughborough Junction, Knight's Hill, St Martin's (part), and West Dulwich (nearly all).
Members of Parliament The constituency was created in 1997 from parts of the former seats of Dulwich and Norwood. It was represented from its creation until 2015 by the former Secretary of State for Culture (2001–2007), Tessa Jowell.
ElectionMemberParty 1997 Tessa Jowell 2015 Helen Hayes
Election results
Elections in the 2020s
Elections in the 2010s
2019 notional result Party Vote % Labour 33,649 64.5 Conservative 8,686 16.6 Green 8,475 16.2 Brexit Party 566 1.1 Liberal Democrats 503 1.0 Others 315 0.6Turnout52,19470.2Electorate74,314
With a 14% increase in their vote share, this was the largest increase for any Green candidate at the 2019 General Election.
Elections of the 2000s 2005 notional result Party Vote % Labour 17,879 45.3 Conservative 9,588 24.3 Liberal Democrats 9,005 22.8 Green 1,901 4.8 Others 1,088 2.8Turnout39,46156.3Electorate70,047
Elections of the 1990s
1992 notional result Party Vote % Labour 23,582 46.3 Conservative 21,779 42.8 Liberal Democrats 4,998 9.8 Others 531 1.0Turnout50,89067.7Electorate75,179
See also List of parliamentary constituencies in London Lambeth local elections Southwark local elections
References
External links Politics Resources (Election results from 1922 onwards) Electoral Calculus (Election results from 1955 onwards) Dulwich and West Norwood UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 1997 – April 2010) at MapIt UK Dulwich and West Norwood UK Parliament constituency (boundaries April 2010 – May 2024) at MapIt UK Dulwich and West Norwood UK Parliament constituency (boundaries from June 2024) at MapIt UK