Editing Kirklees (section)

==Governance==

===Council===
{{main article|Kirklees Council|History of local government in Yorkshire}}
[[Kirklees Council]] is the local authority of the district. The council is composed of 69 councillors, three for each of the borough's 23 [[Wards and electoral divisions of the United Kingdom|wards]]. Elections are held three years out of four, on the first Thursday of May. One third of the councillors are elected, for a four-year term, in each election. The council is currently led by a [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] executive.

===Borough status and mayoralty===
The shadow Kirklees District Council petitioned the [[Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council|privy council]] for a [[royal charter]] under section 245 of the Local Government Act 1972 granting the [[Borough status in the United Kingdom|status of a borough]] from 1 April 1974.<ref>{{cite book |title=Local government in England and Wales: A Guide to the New System |year=1974 |publisher=[[HMSO]] |location=London |isbn=0-11-750847-0 |page=25}}</ref> The grant of borough status entitled the chairman of the council to the title of "[[mayor]]", effectively continuing the mayoralties of the former boroughs of Dewsbury (1862), Huddersfield (1898), Batley (1869) and Spenborough (1955).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/mayor/former/formermenu.shtml |title=Former Mayors |access-date=15 February 2009 |publisher=Kirklees Council |date=August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227223339/http://www2.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/mayor/former/formermenu.shtml |archive-date=27 February 2009 }}</ref> The mayor is elected from among the councillors for a one-year term (the "civic year") at the council's annual meeting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/mayor/mayorsrole.shtml |title=The Mayor's Role |access-date=15 February 2009 |publisher=Kirklees Council |date=May 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205014633/http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/mayor/mayorsrole.shtml |archive-date= 5 December 2008 }}</ref>

Kirklees is the most populated borough or district in England not to have [[List of cities in the United Kingdom|city status]]. In 2001 it was announced that a grant of city status was to be made to an English town to mark the [[Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II]], and Kirklees council indicated that it was considering applying on behalf of Huddersfield. An unofficial telephone poll by the [[Huddersfield Examiner]] found a slim majority against the proposal, and the council did not proceed with the application.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/news/2001/08aug/010809poll.shtml |title=Huddersfield people undecided on city status bid |access-date=14 February 2009 |publisher=Huddersfield Examiner |date=9 August 2001 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511195704/http://www.holdthefrontpage.co.uk/news/2001/08aug/010809poll.shtml |archive-date=11 May 2008 }}</ref>

====Freedom of the borough====
[[File:Kirklees Freedom Scroll P2026364.JPG|thumb|180px|Yorkshire Volunteers Freedom Scroll]]
<!--RE: Source of Names. The list of names below was e-mailed to me direct on request from the Kirklees Mayors office by Sally Greenwood on 25 November 2006. User:Richard Harvey -->

Borough status also allows the council to confer the freedom of the borough on "persons of distinction". Since its formation Kirklees Council has granted this right to two individuals and two groups:
* 3rd Battalion [[Yorkshire Volunteers]] - (25 March 1979)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dwr.org.uk/dwr.php?id=132 |title=The Dukes and The West Riding |access-date=14 February 2009 |work=Regimental History |publisher=The Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)Regimental Association |year=2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206165500/http://www.dwr.org.uk/dwr.php?id=132 |archive-date=6 February 2009 }}</ref> On 25 March 1979, Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council gave the Freedom of Kirklees to the 3rd Battalion of the Yorkshire Volunteers.  The 3rd Battalion was at that time the [[The Duke of Wellington's Regiment|Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding)]] [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] unit. However the freedom given by Kirklees to the 3rd battalion of the Yorkshire Volunteers did not permit any transfer to heirs or successors and effectively that freedom ceased when the battalion was amalgamated into the [[East and West Riding Regiment]] on 1 July 1999. The East and West Riding Regiment ceased to exist on 6 June 2006, having been merged into the [[Yorkshire Regiment]] as its 4th Battalion. The Yorkshire Regiment requested the freedom to march to be transferred to them. On 25 October 2008 Kirklees Council transferred the Freedom of Huddersfield to the Yorkshire Regiment at a freedom parade held by the 3rd Battalion, formerly the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding).
* Sir [[J. P. W. Mallalieu|William Mallalieu]] MP (27 January 1980)<ref name=besancon>{{cite news|title=Freedom of Kirklees ...for a French town! |work=Huddersfield Examiner |date=1 April 2005 |access-date=14 February 2009 |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/tm_objectid=15357953&method=full&siteid=50060&headline=freedom-of-kirklees----for-a-french-town--name_page.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222034557/http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/tm_objectid%3D15357953%26method%3Dfull%26siteid%3D50060%26headline%3Dfreedom-of-kirklees----for-a-french-town--name_page.html |archive-date=22 February 2012 }}</ref>
* The Rt Hon [[Betty Boothroyd]] MP (20 November 1992)<ref name=besancon/>
* Citizens of [[Besançon]], [[France]] (7 October 2005)<ref name=besancon/>
* The Yorkshire Regiment (25 October 2008)<ref>{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Hirst |title=Special Huddersfield parade to honour Yorkshire Regiment |work=Huddersfield Examiner |date=16 October 2008 |access-date=14 February 2009 |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2008/10/16/special-huddersfield-parade-to-honour-yorkshire-regiment-86081-22044322/ }}</ref>
* [[Simon Armitage]] (20 March 2024)
* [[Patrick Stewart|Sir Patrick Stewart]] (20 March 2024)
<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kirkleestogether.co.uk/2024/03/20/freedom-of-the-borough-for-inspirational-people/ |title=Freedom of the Borough for inspirational people  |last=Kirklees |first=Susie |date=20 March 2024 |website=Kirklees Together |access-date=13 April 2024 }}</ref>

===Twin towns===
Kirklees is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:

* {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Besançon]], France<ref name="Archant twinning">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |title=British towns twinned with French towns |access-date=11 July 2013 |work=Archant Community Media Ltd |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-date= 5 July 2013 }}</ref>
* {{flagicon|KAZ}} [[Kostanay]], [[Kazakhstan]] 1989
* {{flagicon|POL}} [[Bielsko-Biała]], [[Poland]] 1997
* {{flagicon|GER}} [[Unna (district)|Kreis Unna]], [[Germany]] 1967<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.kreis-unna.de/hauptnavigation/kreis-region/politik-verwaltung/kreisverwaltung/landrat-kreistag-gleichstellung/partner-und-patenschaften/ |title=Partner- und Patenschaften |date= |website=kreis-unna.de |publisher=Kreis Unna |access-date=10 November 2024 |lang=de}}</ref>
{{Clear}}

===Coat of arms===
Kirklees Borough Council was granted [[coat of arms|armorial bearings]] by the [[College of Arms]] by [[letters patent]] dated 24 June 1974. the [[blazon]] of the arms is as follows:
<blockquote>Vert on a bend Argent a bendlet wavy azure on a chief Or a pale between two cog-wheels azure on the pale a Paschal Lamb supporting a staff of the fourth flying therefrom a forked pennon argent charged with a cross gules; ''and for a Crest'', On a wreath of the colours a ram's head affronty couped argent armed Or gorged with a mural crown sable masoned argent.
''Supporters'': On either side a lion guardant purpure resting the inner hind leg on a cross crosslet Or embellished in each of the four angles with a fleur de lis azure. ''Badge or device'': A roundel purpure charged with a Lacy Knot Or all within a circle of eleven roses argent barbed and seeded proper.<ref name=civic>{{cite web |url=http://www.civicheraldry.co.uk/w_yorks.html#kirklees%20mbc |title=Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council |access-date=14 February 2009 |work=Civic Heraldry of England and Wales }}</ref>
</blockquote>

The green colouring of the shield represents the fields, woods and moorland of the borough. The white stripe or ''bend'' represents the [[M62 motorway]], while the blue wave upon it is for the many waterways of the area. On the ''chief'' or upper third of the shield is a [[Korban Pesach|paschal lamb]], symbol of [[St John the Baptist]]. John was the patron saint of woolworkers, and the inclusion of the emblem represents the historic woollen industry. The cogwheels are for the modern engineering industries. The crest is a ram's head, found in the arms of the County Borough of Huddersfield and the Mirfield Urban District Council. The black mural crown stands for the district's status as a borough, recalling a city wall. The [[supporters]] are purple lions from the arms of the [[De Lacy|de Laci]] family, medieval lords of Huddersfield. For heraldic "difference" from other lion supporters a distinctive cross has been placed below their inner feet. This device, combining the symbols of Christ and the Virgin Mary, represents the priory from which the borough took its name.<ref name=civic/><ref>''Kirklees Borough Guide'', c. 1974.</ref>

===Parish and town councils===
In five areas of the borough there is a second tier of local government: the [[civil parishes in England|civil parish]]. Parish or town councils have limited powers of a purely local character, such as owning or maintaining allotments, burial grounds, footpaths and war memorials. Four of the parishes were formed as [[successor parish]]es to urban districts abolished in 1974.<ref name=parish>{{cite web|url=http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/parishcouncil/parishmenu.shtml |title=Parish and Town Councils |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Kirklees Council |date=January 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303105918/http://kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/parishcouncil/parishmenu.shtml |archive-date= 3 March 2009 }}</ref> The fifth was formed in 1988.<ref name=Mirfield>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk/council/15 |title=About the Council |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Mirfield Town Council |date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221231428/http://mirfieldtowncouncil.gov.uk/council/15 |archive-date=21 February 2009 }}</ref> The five town or parish councils are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Council
! Area covered
! Number of councillors
! Parish wards
! Formed
|-
|Denby Dale Parish Council
|[[Denby Dale]], [[Upper Cumberworth|Upper]] and [[Lower Cumberworth]], [[Upper Denby|Upper]] and Lower Denby, [[Birdsedge]] and High Flatts, [[Scissett]], [[Skelmanthorpe]] and the hamlet of Kitchenroyd, [[Emley, West Yorkshire|Emley]] and [[Emley Moor]] and [[Clayton West]]<ref name=parish/>
|  style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"| 17<ref name=ddale>{{cite web|url=http://www.denbydale.com/content/councillors |title=The Councillors |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Denby Dale Parish Council |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225110012/http://www.denbydale.com/content/councillors |archive-date=25 February 2009 }}</ref>
|Clayton West, Denby & Cumberworth, Emley, Skelmanthorpe<ref name=ddale/>
|Successor to Denby Dale UDC 1973<ref name=succp>The Local Government (Successor Parishes) (No. 2) Order 1973
(S.I. 1973/1939).</ref>
|-
|[[Holme Valley]] Parish Council
|Holmfirth and Honley, [[Brockholes]], Cinderhills, [[Hade Edge]], [[Hepworth, West Yorkshire|Hepworth]], Hinchliffe Mill, [[Holmbridge]], [[Holme, West Yorkshire|Holme]], [[Jackson Bridge]], [[Netherthong]], [[New Mill, West Yorkshire|New Mill]], Scholes, Thongsbridge, Upperthong, Wooldale<ref name=parish/>
|  style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"| 23<ref name=hvalley>{{cite web|url=http://www.holmevalleyparishcouncil.gov.uk/members/memberspage.htm |title=Members of the Council |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Holme Valley Parish Council |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706194758/http://www.holmevalleyparishcouncil.gov.uk/members/memberspage.htm |archive-date= 6 July 2009 }}</ref>
|Brockholes, Fulstone, Hepworth, Holmfirth Central, Honley Central and East, Honley South, Honley West, Netherthong, Scholes, Upper Holme Valley, Upperthong, Wooldale<ref name=hvalley/>
|Successor to Holmfirth UDC 1973,<ref name=succp/> renamed Holme Valley 1975.
|-
|Kirkburton Parish Council
|[[Farnley Tyas]], [[Flockton]], [[Grange Moor]], [[Highburton]], [[Kirkburton]], [[Kirkheaton]], [[Lepton, West Yorkshire|Lepton]], [[Shelley, West Yorkshire|Shelley]], [[Shepley]] and Thurston<ref name=parish/>
|  style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"| 25<ref name=kburton>{{cite web|url=http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/parishcouncil/kirkburton.shtml |title=Kirkburton Parish Council |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Kirklees Council |date=July 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513142558/http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/you-kmc/parishcouncil/kirkburton.shtml |archive-date=13 May 2008 }}</ref><ref name=kburton2>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapfm.co.uk/kbpc/contacts.html |title=Parish Councillors' Contact Details |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Kirkburton Parish Council |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905145703/http://www.mapfm.co.uk/kbpc/contacts.html |archive-date= 5 September 2008 }}</ref>
| Flockton, Kirkburton, Kirkheaton, Lepton, Lepton & Whitley Upper, Shelley, Shepley, Thurstonland/Farnley Tyas<ref name=kburton/><ref name=kburton2/>
|Successor to Kirkburton UDC 1973<ref name=succp/>
|-
|Meltham Town Council
|Crosland Edge, [[Meltham]], [[Helme, West Yorkshire|Helme]], Wilshaw<ref name=parish/>
|  style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"| 12<ref name=meltham>{{cite web |url=http://www.melthamtowncouncil.gov.uk/homedir/members.htm |title=Your members of the council |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=Meltham Town Council |year=2008 }}</ref>
| None<ref name=meltham/>
|Successor to Meltham UDC 1973<ref name=succp/>
|-
|Mirfield Town Council
|[[Battyeford]], Mirfield, Northorpe, Lower Hopton and Upper Hopton<ref name=parish/>
|  style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;"| 16<ref name=Mirfield/>
|Battyeford, Crossley, Eastthorpe, Hopton, Northorpe<ref name=Mirfield/>
|Formed 1988<ref name=Mirfield/>
|}

The remainder of the borough is [[unparished area|unparished]], with the borough council exercising parish powers.

===Parliamentary representation===

====1997 to date====
Since 1997 Kirklees has been divided into five constituencies: four being entirely within the borough, while one ward (Wakefield) is included in the Wakefield Council borough.

The boundaries of two of the Colne Valley and Huddersfield constituencies were virtually unchanged from those defined in 1983. Denby Dale and Kirkburton wards were transferred from Dewsbury to Wakefield, with the former constituency receiving Heckmondwike ward from Batley and Spen.

The constituencies were first used at the [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997 general election]], when the Labour Party came to power in a [[List of landslide victories|landslide]], gaining all the seats in the borough. The party held the seats at the subsequent elections of [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]] and [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]].<ref name=1995order>{{cite web|url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951626_en_2.htm |title=The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1995 (S.I. 1995/1626) |access-date=16 February 2009 |publisher=[[Office of Public Sector Information]] |year=1995 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704033840/http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1995/Uksi_19951626_en_2.htm |archive-date= 4 July 2010 }}</ref> The incumbent MP for [[Batley and Spen (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Spen]], [[Jo Cox]], was murdered on 16 June 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/16/labour-mp-jo-cox-shot-in-leeds-witnesses-report/|title=Labour MP Jo Cox dies after being shot and stabbed in her constituency near Leeds|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=16 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> A [[2016 Batley and Spen by-election|constituency by-election]] took place on 20 October 2016 and [[Tracy Brabin]] was elected.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-37725007|title=Batley and Spen by-election: Tracy Brabin victory for 'hope and unity'|date=21 October 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=20 November 2016}}</ref> A further [[2021 Batley and Spen by-election|by-election]] will be held in the constituency on 1 July 2021, after Brabin's resignation, following her election as [[Mayor of West Yorkshire]].<ref>{{cite news|date=8 May 2021|title=Is Batley and Spen Labour's next by-election headache?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/politics-explained/is-batley-and-spen-labour-s-next-byelection-headache-b1844215.html|accessdate=9 May 2021|work=The Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leeds.gov.uk/your-council/elections/west-yorkshire-combined-authority-mayoral-election-results|title=West Yorkshire Mayoral election results|accessdate=9 May 2021|website=www.leeds.gov.uk}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Constituency
! Wards
! Member of parliament
! colspan=2 | Party
! Majority
|-
|rowspan=6| [[Batley and Spen (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Spen Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=6| 1997–2005:<br>Batley East, Batley West,<br>Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton, Spen.<ref name=1995order/><br>
2010–present:<br>
Batley East, Batley West,<br>Birstall and Birkenshaw, Cleckheaton,<br>Heckmondwike, Liversedge and Gomersal.
||[[Tracy Brabin]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Co-operative}}" rowspan=1|
||[[Labour Co-operative|Labour Co-op]]
| [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]: 8,961 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-batley-spen">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000548 |title=Batley & Spen parliamentary constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
||[[Jo Cox]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=5|
| rowspan=5|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]]: 6,057 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-batley-spen" />
|-
| rowspan=4| [[Mike Wood (Labour politician)|Mike Wood]]
| [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]: 4,406 (over Conservatives)
|-
| [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]: 5,788 (over Conservatives)
|-
| [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]: 5,064 (over Conservatives)<ref name=batleyspen>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/080.htm |title=Batley & Spen |access-date=15 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: 6,141 (over Conservatives)<ref name=batleyspen/>
|-
| rowspan=6| [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley County Constituency]]
| rowspan=6| Colne Valley West, Crosland Moor,<br> Golcar, Holme Valley North,<br> Holme Valley South, Lindley.<ref name=1995order/>
|| [[Thelma Walker]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=1|
||[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]: 915 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-colne-valley">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000645 |title=Colne Valley parliamentary constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Jason McCartney (politician)|Jason McCartney]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" rowspan=2|
| rowspan=2| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]]: 5,378 (over Labour)<ref name="bbc-colne-valley" />
|-
| [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]: 4,837 (over Liberal Democrats)
|-
| rowspan=3| [[Kali Mountford]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]: 1,501 (over Conservatives)
|-
| [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]: 4,639 (over Conservatives)<ref name=colnev>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/521.htm |title=Colne Valley |access-date=15 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: 4,840 (over Conservatives)<ref name=colnev/>
|-
|rowspan=6| [[Dewsbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Dewsbury County Constituency]]
|rowspan=6|1997–2005:<br>Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West,<br>Heckmondwike, Mirfield, Thornhill.<ref name=1995order/><br>
2010–present:<br>Denby Dale, Dewsbury East,<br>Dewsbury South, Dewsbury West,<br>Kirkburton, Mirfield.
| rowspan=2| [[Paula Sherriff]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=2|
| rowspan=2|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]: 3,321 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-dewsbury">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000666 |title=Dewsbury parliamentary constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]]: 1,451 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-dewsbury" />
|-
| [[Simon Reevell]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]: 1,526 (over Labour)
|-
| [[Shahid Malik]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]: 4,615 (over Conservatives)
|-
| rowspan=2| [[Ann Taylor, Baroness Taylor of Bolton|Ann Taylor]]
| [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]: 8,323 (over Conservatives)<ref name=dewsbury>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/522.htm |title=Dewsbury |access-date=15 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: 4,840 (over Conservatives)<ref name=dewsbury/>
|-
|rowspan=6| [[Huddersfield (UK Parliament constituency)|Huddersfield Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=6| Almondbury, Birkby,<br>Dalton, Deighton,<br>Greenhead, Newsome, Paddock.<ref name=1995order/>
| rowspan=6| [[Barry Sheerman]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Co-operative}}" rowspan=6|
| rowspan=6|[[Labour Co-operative|Labour Co-op]]
| [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]: 12,005 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-huddersfield">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000756 |title=Huddersfield parliamentary constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]]: 7,345 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-huddersfield" />
|-
| [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]: 4,472 (over Conservatives)
|-
| [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]: 8,351 (over Conservatives)
|-
| [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]: 10,046 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudders>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/154.htm |title=Huddersfield |access-date=15 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: 15,848 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudders/>
|-
|rowspan=6| [[Wakefield (UK Parliament constituency)|Wakefield County Constituency]]
|rowspan=6| 1997–2005:<br>Denby Dale, Kirkburton,<br>Wakefield Central, Wakefield East,<br>Wakefield North, Wakefield Rural.<ref name=1995order/><br>
2010–present:<br>Horbury and South Ossett, Ossett,<br>Wakefield East, Wakefield North,<br>Wakefield Rural, Wakefield West.
| rowspan=4| [[Mary Creagh]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=6|
| rowspan=6|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2017 United Kingdom general election|2017]]: 2,176 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-wakefield">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14001009 |title=Wakefield parliamentary constituency |work=BBC News |access-date=31 March 2018}}</ref>
|-
| [[2015 United Kingdom general election|2015]]: 2,613 (over Conservatives)<ref name="bbc-wakefield" />
|-
| [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]: 1,613 (over Conservatives)
|-
| [[2005 United Kingdom general election|2005]]: 5,154 (over Conservatives)
|-
| rowspan=2| [[David Hinchliffe]]
| [[2001 United Kingdom general election|2001]]: 7,954 (over Conservatives)<ref name=wakef>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/constit/529.htm |title=Wakefield |access-date=15 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1997 United Kingdom general election|1997]]: 14,604 (over Conservatives)<ref name=wakef/>
|}

====1983 to 1997====
The [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983 general election]] was the first at which constituencies based on the administrative areas created in 1974 were used. Kirklees was divided into four constituencies.<ref name=1983order>The Parliamentary Constituencies (England) Order 1983 (S.I. 1983/417).</ref> The Conservative Party polled well in the 1983 election, and took two of the borough's constituencies. Labour held Huddersfield, while the Liberals, running in an [[SDP-Liberal Alliance|alliance]] with the [[Social Democratic Party (UK)|Social Democrats]], held Colne Valley. In the following [[1987 United Kingdom general election|election in 1987]] the Labour vote increased slightly, and they gained Dewsbury from the Conservatives. At the same time the Alliance vote fell, and the Conservatives took Colne Valley. The four MPs elected in 1992 were all returned in 1997.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Constituency
! Wards
! Member of parliament
! colspan=2 | Party
! Majority
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Batley and Spen (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Spen Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Batley East, Batley West,<br> Birstall and Birkenshaw,<br> Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike and Spen<ref name="1983order"/>
| rowspan=3| [[Elizabeth Peacock]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]]: 1,408 (over Labour)<ref name=batley92>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge92/i02.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1992 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]: 1,362 (over Labour)<ref name=batley87>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge87/i02.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1987 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]]: 870 (over Labour)<ref name=batley83>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i02.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1983 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley County Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Colne Valley West, Crosland Moor,<br> Golcar, Holme Valley North,<br> Holme Valley South and Lindley.<ref name=1983order/>
| rowspan=2| [[Graham Riddick]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" rowspan=2|
| rowspan=2|[[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]]: 7,225 (over Labour)<ref name=cvalley92>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge92/i06.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1992 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]: 1,677 (over Liberal / Alliance)<ref name=cvalley87>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge87/i06.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1987 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[Richard Wainwright (politician)|Richard Wainwright]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Liberal Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal / Alliance]]
| [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]]: 3,146 (over Conservatives)<ref name=cvalley83>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i06.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1983 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Dewsbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Dewsbury County Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Denby Dale, Dewsbury East, Dewsbury West, <br>
Kirkburton, Mirfield and Thornhill.<ref name=1983order/>
| rowspan=2|[[Ann Taylor, Baroness Taylor of Bolton|Ann Taylor]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=2|
| rowspan=2|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]]: 634 (over Conservatives))<ref name=dewsbury92>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge92/i07.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1992 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]: 445 (over Conservatives)<ref name=dewsbury87>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge87/i07.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1987 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[John Whitfield (politician)|John Whitfield]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]]: 2,068 (over Labour)<ref name=dewsbury83>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i07.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1983 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele |archive-date=22 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080522195317/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i07.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Huddersfield (UK Parliament constituency)|Huddersfield Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Almondbury, Birkby,<br> Dalton, Deighton,<br> Newsome and Paddock.<ref name=1983order/>
| rowspan=3| [[Barry Sheerman]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]]: 7,258 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd83>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge83/i11.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1983 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1987 United Kingdom general election|1987]]: 7,278 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd87>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge87/i11.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1987 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1983 United Kingdom general election|1983]]: 3,955 (over Conservatives)<ref name="hudd83"/>
|}

====1974 to 1983====
Parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales continued to be defined in terms of the boroughs and districts abolished in 1974 until a general redistribution of seats in 1983. Accordingly, Kirklees was divided between seven constituencies, which had first been used in the [[1950 United Kingdom general election|1950 general election]].<ref>[[Representation of the People Act 1948]], (c.65), Schedule I.</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Constituency
! Former administrative areas
! Member of parliament
! colspan=2 | Party
! Majority
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Batley and Morley (UK Parliament constituency)|Batley and Morley Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Municipal Borough of Batley<br> ''Also included the former Municipal Borough of Morley <br>in the [[City of Leeds]].''
| [[Kenneth Woolmer]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 5,352 (over Conservatives)<ref name=batley79>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i02.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1979 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Alfred Broughton]]
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 8,248 (over Conservatives)<ref name=batley74b>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i02.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results October 1974|access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 7,091 (over Conservatives)<ref name=batley74a>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i02.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results February 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Brighouse and Spenborough (UK Parliament constituency)|Brighouse and Spenborough Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| [[Spenborough|Municipal Borough of Spenborough]]<br> ''Also included the former Municipal Borough of [[Brighouse]] <br>in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale]].''
| [[Gary Peter Anthony Waller|Gary Waller]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}"|
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 1,734 (over Labour)<ref name=brigs79>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i04.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1979 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Colin Jackson (UK politician)|Colin Jackson]]
| rowspan=2 style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}"|
| rowspan=2 | [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 2,177 (over Conservatives)<ref name=brigs74b>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i04.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results October 1974|access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 1,546 (over Conservatives)<ref name=brigs74a>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i04.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results February 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Colne Valley (UK Parliament constituency)|Colne Valley County Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Colne Valley Urban District, Holmfirth Urban District,<br>Kirkburton Urban District, Meltham Urban District<br> ''Also included the former [[Saddleworth]] Urban District <br>in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Oldham]].''
| rowspan=3|[[Richard Wainwright (politician)|Richard Wainwright]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Liberal Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Liberal Party (UK)|Liberal Party]]
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 2,352 (over Labour)<ref name=colnev79>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i06.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1979 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 1,666 (over Labour)<ref name=colnev74b>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i06.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results October 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele |archive-date=10 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510224154/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i06.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 719 (over Labour)<ref name=colnev74a>{{cite web |url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i06.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results February 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele |archive-date=10 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510224148/http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i06.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Dewsbury (UK Parliament constituency)|Dewsbury Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Municipal Borough of Dewsbury, Heckmondwike Urban District, Mirfield Urban District <br>''Also included the former Municipal Borough of Ossett<br>in the [[City of Wakefield]].''
| rowspan=3|[[David Ginsburg (politician)|David Ginsburg]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]<br>
<small>''(Defected to the <br>[[Social Democratic Party (UK)|Social Democratic Party]] in <br>1981 when he seemed unlikely<br> to be reselected<br> as Labour candidate for the next election.)''</small><ref>{{cite book |title=SDP: The Birth, Life and Death of the Social Democratic Party |first1=Ivor |last1=Crewe |first2=Anthony |last2=King |year=1995 |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |isbn=0-19-828050-5 |page=109 }}</ref>
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 4,381 (over Conservatives)<ref name=dew79>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i07.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1979 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 6,901 (over Conservatives)<ref name=dew74b>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i07.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results October 1974|access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 5,412 (over Conservatives)<ref name=dew74a>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i07.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results February 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Huddersfield East (UK Parliament constituency)|Huddersfield East Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Seven wards of the County Borough of Huddersfield: <br>[[Almondbury]], Dalton, Deighton,<br> Fartown, Newsome, North Central,<br> South Central
| [[Barry Sheerman]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=3|
| rowspan=3|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 3,095 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd79>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i11.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1979 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|[[J. P. W. Mallalieu]]
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 8,414 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd74b>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i11.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results October 1974|access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 7,304 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd74a>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i11.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results February 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3| [[Huddersfield West (UK Parliament constituency)|Huddersfield West Borough Constituency]]
|rowspan=3| Eight wards of the County Borough of Huddersfield: <br>Birkby, Crosland Moor, Lindley,<br> Lockwood, Longwood, Marsh,<br> Milnsbridge, Paddock
| [[Geoffrey Dickens]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]]
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 1,508 (over Labour)<ref name=hudd79/>
|-
| rowspan=2|[[Kenneth Lomas]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=2|
| rowspan=2|[[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 1,364 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd74b/>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 630 (over Conservatives)<ref name=hudd74a/>
|-
|rowspan=4| [[Penistone (UK Parliament constituency)|Penistone County Constituency]]
|rowspan=4| Denby Dale Urban District<br> ''Remainder of constituency consisted<br> of former urban and rural districts<br> in the [[Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley]] and<br> the [[City of Sheffield]]''
| rowspan=2|[[Allen McKay]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" rowspan=4|
| rowspan=4| [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[1979 United Kingdom general election|1979]]: 9,701 (over Conservatives)<ref name=pen79>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge79/i16.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results 1979 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[1978 Penistone by-election|1978 by-election]]: 5,371 (over Conservatives)
|-
| rowspan=2|[[John Mendelson]]
| [[October 1974 United Kingdom general election|October 1974]]: 1,364 (over Conservatives)<ref name=pen74b>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74b/i16.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results October 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|-
| [[February 1974 United Kingdom general election|February 1974]]: 630 (over Conservatives)<ref name=pen74a>{{cite web|url=http://www.psr.keele.ac.uk/area/uk/ge74a/i16.htm |title=United Kingdom General Election Results February 1974 |access-date=16 February 2009 |work=Political Science Resources |publisher=University of Keele }}</ref>
|}