Yorkshire and The Humber · England · 75,953Boundary · 2023

Leeds South

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Leeds Central.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Centred on Leeds. Population 124,649, notably young (median age 32 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 152% above the national average. Median income £25K (below average).

One of Labour's most senior cabinet ministers, Hilary Benn is currently serving as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland -- a role that has defined his recent parliamentary activity. He has been at the centre of efforts to resolve the deeply contentious legacy of the Troubles, with commentary praising his "crafted approach" to cutting through what one columnist called "the Gordian knot of legacy." In the Commons, he has voted consistently with the government through recent ping-pong on the Victims and Courts Bill, backing the rejection of six Lords amendments in a single day, and opposing opposition motions on defence and oil and gas policy.

A 100% party-line voter across 62 recorded votes, Benn shows no rebel instincts in this parliament. His participation rate of 71% -- somewhat below the Commons average -- likely reflects the demands of a full cabinet brief rather than disengagement. Voting data places him notably above his party's average on immigration control (+18 percentage points) and workers' rights (+10pp), and slightly below on business flexibility. His speech activity in the chamber has been limited -- 15 contributions across just two debates, last recorded in November 2025 -- consistent with a minister whose primary arena is government rather than backbench scrutiny.

329
Commons votes
This parliament
£25k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
76.0k
Electorate
2024 GE

One of the youngest constituencies — median age 32.

Current Member of Parliament

Hilary Benn

Hilary Benn

Labour Party

The Rt Hon Hilary Benn is the Labour MP for Leeds South, and has been an MP continually since 10 June 1999. He currently holds the Government post of Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

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Voting at a Glance

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review. Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Centred on Leeds. Population 124,649, notably young (median age 32 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 152% above the national average. Median income £25K (below average).

2024 General Election

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

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

§ 07The record, at a glance.367 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Benn 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
72
Economy
65
Crime & Policing
39
Education
38
Employment
31
Pensions
22
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip

No rebellions or free votes recorded yet.

§ 08The local picture.4 wards

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

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Beeston HolbeckShaf Ali2,533Labour P
Burmantofts Richmond HillAshgar Khan2,752Labour P
Hunslet RiversideMohammed Iqbal2,274Labour P
Middleton ParkRob Chesterfield1,882Social D
Population (2021 Census)
124,649
Electorate 75,953 · 2024 register
Median income
£24,900
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
29.9%
England average 20.0%
Schools
54
34 primary · 10 secondary
Next · dig deeperEvery division, question, speech and committee record

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record → Data view

Filter divisions, search written questions, read every speech since the election. Sortable, searchable, downloadable.

More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.