Gateshead (UK Parliament constituency)

Gateshead
Borough constituency for the House of Commons
Boundary of Gateshead in Tyne and Wear for the 2010 general election.
Location of Tyne and Wear within England.
County	Tyne and Wear
Electorate	66,066 (December 2010)
Major settlements	Gateshead
Current constituency
Created	2010
Member of parliament	Ian Mearns (Labour)
Number of members	One
Created from	Gateshead East & Washington West, and Tyne Bridge
1832–1950
Number of members	One
Type of constituency	Borough constituency
Created from	County Durham
Overlaps
European Parliament constituency	North East England

Gateshead is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since its 2010 recreation by Ian Mearns of the Labour Party.

The previous incarnation of the seat existed from 1832 to 1950. Among famous representatives are James Melville KC who was Solicitor General for England and Wales before he died, while holding the seat, and international statesman Konni Zilliacus who assisted in creating peaceful bilateral relations during the Cold War, including though work at the United Nations.

2010–present: The Metropolitan Borough of Gateshead wards of Bridges, Chowdene, Deckham, Dunston and Teams, Felling, High Fell, Lobley Hill and Bensham, Low Fell, Saltwell, and Windy Nook and Whitehills.

The Boundary Commission's 2007-8 review led to a revived constituency of Gateshead, using parts of the abolished Gateshead East and Washington West and Tyne Bridge seats.

The re-established Gateshead constituency was fought for the first time at the 2010 general election. Tyne Bridge MP David Clelland was chosen as the Labour Party candidate for the seat in 2008, but later stood down. The seat was instead contested and won by Gateshead Councillor Ian Mearns.

Conservative candidate Charles White withdrew 15 October 1931. Barr and Fennell also withdrew, but their names remained on the ballot paper.