North West · England · 74,760Boundary · 2023

Lancaster & Wyre

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, from parts of Lancaster and Fleetwood and Wyre and Preston North.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Lancaster, Garstang and Bailrigg. Population 91,018.

One of the most significant acts Cat Smith has taken recently was voting against her own government on welfare reform -- joining the rebellion on 1 July 2025 to block the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at Second Reading. She voted no on the bill's progression and yes on the opposition's procedural amendment to kill it, placing her among a minority of Labour MPs who defied the whip on one of the most contested votes of this parliament. She also broke with her party twice on the assisted dying bill in June 2025, backing amendments that the Labour majority opposed -- consistent with her voting profile showing strong support for assisted dying access, running 52 percentage points above her party's average.

At 70% voting participation, Smith is below the Commons average, though her 98.8% party alignment when she does vote marks her as broadly loyal outside these specific rebellions. Her speeches -- 80 contributions across 41 debates -- focus heavily on social care, the economy, health, and local government. She has notably low scores on pro-business votes (11%) and has consistently backed workers' rights (90%) and progressive taxation (96%). She chairs the Procedure Committee and sits on the Liaison Committee, reflecting a role in overseeing how Parliament operates.

341
Commons votes
This parliament
£28k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
74.8k
Electorate
2024 GE

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.

Current Member of Parliament

Cat Smith

Cat Smith

Labour Party

Cat Smith is the Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, and has been an MP continually since 7 May 2015.

Notable Votes

MPs voted on whether to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill a Second Reading, allowing it to progress through Parliament. This bill proposes significant changes to the welfare system, including reforms to how disability benefits (PIP) are assessed and restrictions on who qualifies for the health-related component of Universal Credit.

MP voted NoAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

MPs voted on a 'reasoned amendment' at the Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill — a procedural move by the opposition to block the bill from progressing, signalling rejection of the government's proposed welfare reforms. The bill seeks to make changes to Universal Credit and PIP (Personal Independence Payment) eligibility and assessments.

MP voted YesAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

Vote on New Clause 2 to the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, debated alongside related amendments including provisions on guidance, devolution, and regulatory consultation. The excerpts focus on New Clause 20, which would require the Secretary of State to issue guidance (consulting chief medical officers and palliative/hospice care providers) and enable Welsh Ministers to issue guidance on devolved health matters.

MP voted YesAgainst party majority

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Voting at a Glance

Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Lancaster, Garstang and Bailrigg. Population 91,018.

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Smith’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.345 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Smith has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
64
Economy
54
Crime & Policing
43
Employment
40
Education
26
Welfare and Benefits
23
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Second Reading01 Jul 2025
No
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Reasoned Amendment at Second Reading01 Jul 2025
Aye
Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill: New Clause 213 Jun 2025 · free vote
Aye
§ 08The local picture.18 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
BowerhamHamish Mills736Green Pa
BowerhamSarah Punshon696Green Pa
Brock With CatterallDaniel James Bolton696Conserva
Brock With CatterallDavid Swift595Conserva
BulkCaroline Jackson1,140Green Pa
BulkJack Lenox1,061Green Pa
BulkSam Riches964Green Pa
CalderJohn Anthony Ibison386Conserva
CastleIsabella Metcalf-Riener524Green Pa
EllelPaul Francis Tynan733Green Pa
EllelSally Ann Shelley Maddocks951Green Pa
GarstangAlice Collinson1,050Conserva
Population (2021 Census)
91,018
Electorate 74,760 · 2024 register
Median income
£27,900
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
20.7%
England average 20.0%
Schools
57
39 primary · 7 secondary
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More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.