Wales · 74,039Boundary · 2023

Montgomeryshire & Glyndŵr

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, replacing Montgomeryshire.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

Won by Lab in its first election in 2024 by 8.8%. Covers Newtown (Powys), Rhosllannerchrugog and Acrefair and Cefn-mawr. Population 104,259, notably older (median age 47 vs 41 nationally). Median income £25K (below average).

One of Labour's rare rebels on welfare reform, Witherden broke with his party on 1 July 2025 by voting against the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at Second Reading -- and went further by backing a Conservative reasoned amendment designed to kill the bill outright before detailed scrutiny. Those two votes are his only departures from the Labour line in nearly 470 divisions, making them a sharp and deliberate signal on disability benefits policy rather than a pattern of general dissent.

Otherwise, Witherden is a 99% party-line voter with an 83% participation rate, broadly in line with the Commons average. His voting profile shows consistent support for progressive taxation and the government's legislative agenda, with zero alignment on anti-tax or parliamentary scrutiny stances. He is notably more supportive of assisted dying access than his parliamentary colleagues -- 88% versus a party average of 59%, a gap of 29 percentage points. His speech activity clusters around social care, economy and jobs, cost of living, and education across 20 contributions in 14 debates.

388
Commons votes
This parliament
£25k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
74.0k
Electorate
2024 GE

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.

Current Member of Parliament

Steve Witherden

Steve Witherden

Labour Party

Steve Witherden is the Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

Notable Votes

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

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

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Voting at a Glance

Won by Lab in its first election in 2024 by 8.8%. Covers Newtown (Powys), Rhosllannerchrugog and Acrefair and Cefn-mawr. Population 104,259, notably older (median age 47 vs 41 nationally). Median income £25K (below average).

2024 General Election

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

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

§ 07The record, at a glance.420 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Witherden 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
78
Economy
72
Employment
49
Crime & Policing
39
Education
36
Constitution and Democracy
26
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Reasoned Amendment at Second Reading01 Jul 2025
Aye
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Second Reading01 Jul 2025
No
§ 08The local picture.40 wards

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

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Acrefair NorthPaul Blackwell217Labour P
Banwy Llanfihangel LlanwddynBryn Davies437Plaid Cy
Berriew Castle CaereinionAdrian Jones278Conserva
CaerswsLes George473Conserva
Cefn EastDerek Wright235Labour P
Cefn WestStella Matthews269Labour P
Chirk NorthFrank Hemmings434Labour P
Chirk SouthTerry Evans518Independ
ChurchstokeDanny Bebb348Liberal
DolforwynGareth Michael Pugh486Conserva
EsclushamMark Pritchard796Independ
Forden MontgomeryJeremy Brignell-Thorp333Green Pa
Population (2021 Census)
104,259
Electorate 74,039 · 2024 register
Median income
£25,000
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
16.4%
England average 20.0%
Schools
70
0 primary · 0 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.