East of England · England · 74,724Boundary · 2023

South West Norfolk

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Dispatch
Apr 2026

A marginal seat — won by just 630 votes (1.4%) in 2024. Covers Thetford, Downham Market and Swaffham. Population 100,544, notably older (median age 46 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 39% below the national average.

Terry Jermy is one of the more notable Labour rebels of this parliamentary term on welfare. In July 2025 he voted against the government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at Second Reading -- one of a relatively small number of Labour MPs to do so -- and supported a procedural amendment that would have blocked the bill outright. He also backed a further amendment to protect disabled people with fluctuating conditions while the government's own review was still pending. Beyond welfare, he voted for a requirement that women receive an in-person medical consultation before receiving abortion medication, against his party's majority, and supported a new clause on the assisted dying bill -- placing him clearly outside Labour's mainstream on several conscience and welfare issues.

At 72% voting participation, Jermy is below the Commons average, though his 98% party-line alignment overall makes his welfare rebellions stand out more sharply. His speech activity is substantial -- 118 contributions across 92 debates -- with economy, local government, social care, environment, and agriculture dominating his interventions. His stance profile flags significant divergence from party norms on welfare reform (-39 percentage points), criminal justice reform (-35pp), and assisted dying, where he is notably more supportive of access than his average Labour colleague.

351
Commons votes
This parliament
£26k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
74.7k
Electorate
2024 GE

Lab took this seat from Con after 4 consecutive elections.

Current Member of Parliament

Terry Jermy

Terry Jermy

Labour Party

Terry Jermy is the Labour MP for South West Norfolk, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

Notable Votes

Vote on Amendment 38 to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which would have provided greater certainty and protections for disabled people with fluctuating conditions while the government's review of PIP assessments (the Timms review) is ongoing. Critics argued the Bill was putting cuts before the review, leaving vulnerable people uncertain about their entitlements.

MP voted YesAgainst 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

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

A marginal seat — won by just 630 votes (1.4%) in 2024. Covers Thetford, Downham Market and Swaffham. Population 100,544, notably older (median age 46 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 39% below the national average.

2024 General Election

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

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

§ 07The record, at a glance.351 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Jermy 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
89
Economy
75
Crime & Policing
34
Employment
34
Education
32
Welfare and Benefits
26
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill Committee: Amendment 3809 Jul 2025
Aye
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.24 wards

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

WardCouncillorVotesParty
AirfieldJim Moriarty784Independ
AirfieldPallavi Devulapalli455Green Pa
AshillFabian Eagle549Conserva
BedingfeldIan Sherwood377Conserva
DenverPeter John Hodson311Conserva
Downham Old TownJoshua Osborne301Labour P
East DownhamJosie Ratcliffe310Liberal
Emneth OutwellChris Crofts517Conserva
Emneth OutwellHarry Arthur Sidney Humphrey437Conserva
FeltwellAdrian John Lawrence447Conserva
FeltwellMartin Stuart Storey550Conserva
ForestRobert Kybird455Conserva
Population (2021 Census)
100,544
Electorate 74,724 · 2024 register
Median income
£26,400
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
18.8%
England average 20.0%
Schools
56
44 primary · 4 secondary
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