what will happen in sheffield hallam

This is our first big local coverage ahead of the general election. Over the coming weeks we’ll be looking at some of the other key constituencies in and around Sheffield – if you haven’t yet, subscribe now to get everything.

If you live in the Sheffield Hallam constituency, there’s a good chance you’ve been approached by a newspaper ad for a pop voice recently. The Financial Times, The Guardian, The Times — all have come to visit in the last month or two, eager to hear what voters have to say. If you’re looking for an unusual constituency to spice up your coverage, Hallam will always catch your eye. It’s just quite… strange.

I’ve spent the last two weeks trying to figure out what’s going to happen here, spending time with the two main contenders for the seat.

Hallam – which stretches from Stannington to Dore and includes Crookes, Fulwood and Ecclesall – has always done things differently. While Margaret Thatcher was reviled in the rest of South Yorkshire, the constituency gave her strong support. Then, as the country at large moved towards New Labor in 1997, Hallam’s Labor vote actually declined. Previous Tory and Labor voters have both thrown themselves behind a new allegiance – the Lib Dems.

The Lib Dems retained a tight grip on the area, with more than 50% of the vote, for several elections – first with Richard Allan, then Nick Clegg. But in the late coalition years, Labor support grew, with (now Mayor) Oliver Coppard contesting the seat in 2015. He didn’t do too well, but two years later Nick Clegg was kicked out anyway. In the most recent election, Labour’s majority was slim: just 712 votes, or 1.2% of the vote. It is now the only Labour/Lib Dem marginal in the country.

Voting shares for the three biggest parties in Sheffield Hallam, 1979 – 2019

Here’s another statistic that tells you how unusual Sheffield Hallam is: Labour’s Olivia Blake won in 2019 with just 34.6% of the vote. This was the lowest vote share for a winner anywhere in Britain, as the Conservatives still took a large share of the vote. But from one point of view, Hallam should still be a Tory seat.