The Conservative Party in Elmet and Rothwell
The Conservative Party has an active branch in Elmet & Rothwell, with a variety of social events, campaigning activity and political events. Anybody who lives in Elmet & Rothwell can sign up to be a Party Member and take part in events, policy discussions and leadership elections.
We campaign on a number of local and national issues, with the aim of improving the lives of those in the area, as well as protecting our valuable environment for future generations.
Why not join us, to help our campaigns, take part in our events and participate in your local community?
What makes Elmet & Rothwell?
The Elmet & Rothwell parliamentary constituency was newly formed at the 2010 General Election, having previously been known just as "Elmet", and before that, "Barkston Ash". The constituency is currently made up of the following Leeds Council Wards:
Garforth & Swillington Ward
Garforth owed its growth in the 17th and 18th Century to the booming coal mining industry in the area. However, the collieries of much of East Leeds and surrounding areas closed in the 1960s. Nowadays manufacturing and motor-vehicle repair account for more than a third of the workforce in the area. More recent expansion can also be traced to a combination of overall economic success in Leeds, and the fact that Garforth is well served by transport links with rail connections and access to the M1, A1(M) and M62, which have made it a desirable area for commuters to live. There is a light industrial estate to the North of the town which provides some employment, such as Ginetta Cars, while the neighbouring Thorpe Business Park in Colton also provides employment.
The Garforth & Swillington ward is one of five wards to form the Elmet & Rothwell constituency and is represented in Parliament by Alec.
Rothwell Ward
Rothwell has been in existence since prior to the Domesday Book in 1086. The town was granted the rights of a market town in 15th Century. Rothwell has a long history of coal mining, with over 600 years in the industry. However, the local mine shut in 1983. Rothwell has a vibrant town centre, including largest Working Men’s Club in the country! Since late 2007, the town centre has been undergoing significant redevelopment.
The Rothwell ward is one of five wards to form the Elmet & Rothwell constituency and is represented in Parliament by Alec.
Kippax & Methley Ward
Kippax is a large village situated near Garforth. Until the late 18th Century Kippax was mostly agricultural, when the local industry shifted to coal mining. The village grew greatly through the 19th Century as mining increased throughout the area. However, the local mines shut in the 1990’s. With its proximity to the M1, A1, and M62 Kippax has become an ideal commuter village for Leeds. Housing developments in recent years near to Kippax have expanded the villages margins, leaving its village status questionable.
The Kippax & Methley ward is one of five wards to form the Elmet & Rothwell constituency and is represented in Parliament by Alec.
Wetherby Ward
Wetherby has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road (now the A1). In the heyday of the coaching era, Wetherby had up to forty inns and alehouses. Up to Victorian times, Wetherby served as the major cattle market town for the surrounding areas. During the Industrial revolution, Wetherby developed a brewery, a mill, and a factory. Today. it has developed into a busy market town, but still retains its Thursday Market, granted by Royal Charter in 1240. Large employers in the town include the British Library and Goldenfry Foods.
The Wetherby ward is one of five wards to form the Elmet & Rothwell constituency and is represented in Parliament by Alec. The ward is represented on Leeds City Council by three Conservative Councillors: Cllr Alan Lamb, Cllr Norma Harrington and Cllr Linda Richards.
Harewood Ward
The Harewood ward is the largest geographical council ward in Leeds. Named after Harewood village, which was originally founded in 1116 and located adjacent to All Saints Church, the well-known Harewood House was built in 1759-1771.
The area is a mix of rural villages spanning the north-east segment of Leeds, including Aberford, Bardsey, Barwick-in-Elmet, Collingham, East Keswick, East Rigton, Linton, Parlington, Potterton, Scarcroft, Scholes, Shadwell, Thorner, Weardley and Wike.
The Harewood ward is one of five wards to form the Elmet & Rothwell constituency and is represented in Parliament by Alec. The ward is represented on Leeds City Council by three Conservative Councillors: Cllr Ryan Stephenson, Cllr Matthew Robinson and Cllr Sam Firth