Electoral geography in the UK is complex due to the different electoral systems and different areas used to elect members to different levels of administration:
UK parliament
devolved governments
local authorities and electoral wards and electoral divisions
The hierarchy of electoral geographies for the UK
Westminster Parliamentary Constituencies - England
- Electoral wards and electoral divisions – England
Westminster Parliamentary Constituencies - Wales
- Electoral wards and electoral divisions – Wales
Westminster Parliamentary Constituencies - Scotland
- Electoral wards and electoral divisions – Scotland
Westminster Parliamentary Constituencies - Northern Ireland
- Electoral wards and electoral divisions – Northern Ireland
UK Parliament
The hierarchy of electoral wards and electoral divisions and Westminster parliamentary constituencies is the only electoral structure that covers the whole of the UK.
Devolved governments
The devolution process of the late 1990s led to new administrations in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and London.
In 2004, legislation was passed to allow devolution referendums for elected assembly regional government in England.
On 4 November 2004, a referendum was held in the North East which produced a large majority "no" vote.
Local authorities and electoral wards and electoral divisions
Councillors in UK districts and unitary administrations are elected to represent the same electoral wards and electoral divisions that are used to constitute Westminster parliamentary constituencies.
County councillors however represent larger 'county electoral divisions', which are not necessarily based on the electoral wards used at district level.
Parish, town or community councils may also use their own small-scale electoral areas; however, we do not maintain information on these.