The current Monmouthshire constituency of the House of Commons in the UK Parliament, was first contested at the 2024 general election, following the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies.
It previously existed as a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England from 1536 until 1707, of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801, and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1885. It elected two Members of Parliament (MPs).
In 1885 the Monmouthshire constituency was divided to create North Monmouthshire, South Monmouthshire and West Monmouthshire.
Boundaries
The historic Monmouthshire constituency covered the county of Monmouth, except that from 1832 there was a borough constituency, Monmouth Boroughs, within the county.
The constituency was re-established as part of the 2023 review for the 2024 general election under the June 2023 final proposals of the Boundary Commission for Wales.[2] The boundaries were defined as being coterminous with the unitary authority of the County of Monmouthshire.
It was created from the abolished constituency of Monmouth (excluding the small part in Torfaen County Borough) expanded to include those parts of Monmouthshire County previously in the Newport East constituency, including Caldicot and Magor.
Prior to the 2024 General Election and the re-organisation of Conservative Associations
The Monmouth constituency (as it then was) was one of eight constituencies covering the preserved county of Gwent. It is considered as a rural constituency with many small towns and villages lying within its boundaries. The major towns of the constituency are Abergavenny, Chepstow, Croesyceiliog, Monmouth and Usk; and covers most of current local authority of Monmouthshire, and a small part of the local authority of Torfaen.
The Westminster seat existed under this form from 1918 and was represented by both Conservative and Labour MPs. Since the creation of the Assembly, Monmouth was only represented by Conservative Assembly Members, the only seat in Wales which can make this claim.
The constituency consisted of:
The County of Monmouthshire electoral divisions: Caerwent, Cantref, Castle, Croesonen, Crucorney, Devauden, Dixton with Osbaston, Drybridge, Goytre Fawr, Grofield, Lansdown, Larkfield, Llanbadoc, Llanelly Hill, Llanfoist Fawr, Llangybi Fawr, Llanover, Llantilio Crossenny, Llanwenarth Ultra, Mardy, Mitchel Troy, Overmonnow, Priory, Raglan, St Arvans, St Christopher’s, St Kingsmark, St Mary’s, Shirenewton, Thornwell, Trellech United, Usk and Wyesham.
The County Borough of Torfaen electoral divisions: Croesyceiliog North, Croesyceiliog South, Llanyrafon East and Ponthir and Llanyrafon West.