Lab regained this seat from Con — last held it in 2015.
MP News Approval i
+56
Louise Sandher-Jones
Labour PartyLouise Sandher-Jones is the Labour MP for North East Derbyshire, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024. She currently holds the Government post of Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence).
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Sign up freeCoverage of North East Derbyshire has been mixed for Louise across 40 recent articles.
Positive coverage
“Network of veteran centres to receive millions in funding” — South Wales Argus
“New boost to defence victim support and prevention to raise standards across the Armed Forces | Ministry of Defence” — WiredGov
Critical coverage
“Strike on: 'Substandard offers' force RFA sailors to walk in out in Royal Navy blow” — The News
A marginal seat — won by just 1,753 votes (3.8%) in 2024. Covers Dronfield, Killamarsh and Wingerworth. Population 96,423, notably older (median age 47 vs 41 nationally). Recorded crime is 39% below the national average.
Dronfield gym fights for survival after setbacks
The Star · 9 Apr 2026
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Sign up freeMedian Income▼
£26,100
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Mean Income▼
£33,500
per year (HMRC 2022-23)
Businesses▼
3,000
VAT/PAYE registered (ONS 2024)
Schools▼
45
38 primary, 5 secondary, 2 other
Total Income Tax▼
£224m
from 48,000 taxpayers
Median Tax▼
£2,420
per taxpayer / year
Mean Tax
£4,690
per taxpayer / year
Source: HMRC Survey of Personal Incomes, tax year 2022-23. Allocated by taxpayer residence. Covers income tax only — excludes NI, VAT, and capital gains. Sample-based estimate (~8% confidence interval).
Attainment 8▼
43.3
average score (DfE)
GCSE Pass Rate▼
60.6%
5+ GCSEs 9-4 (DfE)
1 large town, 8 towns, 6 villages, rural areas — 92,627 total population
Source: ONS Built-Up Areas (Census 2021) + data.police.uk — crime rates are per 1,000 population (last 3 months)
Source: data.police.uk — street-level crime data aggregated from LSOA to constituency
49 councillors across 23 wards · Last elections: Jul 2024
| Ward | Party | Councillor | Elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashover | Independent Berwick Hills Resident | Helen Wetherall | May 2023 |
| Barlow Holmesfield | Conservative and Unionist Party | Pam Jones | May 2023 |
| Brampton Walton | Conservative and Unionist Party | Martin Thacker | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Peter Elliott | May 2023 | |
| Clay Cross North | Labour Party | Gerry Morley | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Kathy Rouse | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Nicki Morley | May 2023 | |
| Clay Cross South | Labour Party | Derrick Skinner | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Fran Petersen | May 2023 | |
| Coal Aston | Conservative and Unionist Party | Mark Foster | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Richard Charles Spooner | May 2023 | |
| Dronfield North | Labour Party | Christine Anne Smith | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Graham Baxter | May 2023 | |
| Dronfield South | Labour Party | Caroline Emma Smith | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | David Mark Cheetham | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | William Francis Jones | May 2023 | |
| Dronfield Woodhouse | Conservative and Unionist Party | Kevin Tait | May 2023 |
| Eckington North | Labour Party | Christine Ann Gare | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Richard Alan Beech | May 2023 | |
| Eckington South Renishaw | Labour Party | Kathy Clegg | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Steve Pickering | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Stuart Fawcett | May 2023 | |
| Gosforth Valley | Conservative and Unionist Party | Lilian Deighton | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Michelle Emmens | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Richard Welton | May 2023 | |
| Grassmoor | Labour Party | Lee Hartshorne | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Michael Ashley Durrant | May 2023 | |
| Killamarsh East | Conservative and Unionist Party | Stephen Andrew Reed | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Tony Norman Lacey | May 2023 | |
| Killamarsh West | Labour Party | Carol Jayne Lacey | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Clive Martin Fletcher | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Steve Clough | May 2023 | |
| North Wingfield Central | Labour Party | Jayne Leslie Barry | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Mick Smith | May 2023 | |
| Labour Party | Nigel Barker | May 2023 | |
| Ridgeway Marsh Lane | Conservative and Unionist Party | Carolyn Renwick | May 2023 |
| Staveley Central | Labour Party | Barry Dyke | May 2023 |
| Labour Party | Jacquie Ridgway | May 2023 | |
| Staveley North | Labour Party | Steve Lismore | Jul 2024 |
| Tupton | Liberal Democrats | David Hancock | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Pam Windley | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Ross Shipman | May 2023 | |
| Unstone | Conservative and Unionist Party | Alex Dale | May 2023 |
| Whittington | Liberal Democrats | Barry Bingham | May 2023 |
| Liberal Democrats | Kelly Thornton | May 2023 | |
| Liberal Democrats | Paul Holmes | May 2023 | |
| Wingerworth | Green Party of England and Wales | Frank Adlington-Stringer | May 2023 |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Neil Sebastian Baker | May 2023 | |
| Conservative and Unionist Party | Pat Antcliff | May 2023 |
Source: DCLEAPIL v1.0 by Jason Leman, LEAP (Andrew Teale) & Democracy Club. CC BY-SA 4.0. Data last refreshed: 1 Apr 2026.
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lab | 17,591 | 38.4% | |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | Con | 15,838 | 34.5% |
| Ref | 7,899 | 17.2% | |
| Green | 2,271 | 5.0% | |
| LD | 2,159 | 4.7% | |
| Ind | 108 | 0.2% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2017 GE | Con | 28,897 | 58.7% |
| Lab | 16,021 | 32.5% | |
| LD | 3,021 | 6.1% | |
| Green | 1,278 | 2.6% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2019 GE | Con | 24,783 | 49.2% |
Won 2015 GEWon 2010 GE | Lab | 21,923 | 43.5% |
| Ind | 1,565 | 3.1% | |
| LD | 1,390 | 2.8% | |
| Green | 719 | 1.4% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2010 GE | Lab | 19,488 | 40.6% |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GE | Con | 17,605 | 36.7% |
| Ind | 7,631 | 15.9% | |
| LD | 2,004 | 4.2% | |
| Green | 1,059 | 2.2% | |
| Ind | 161 | 0.3% |
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
✓ Won 2015 GE | Lab | 17,948 | 38.2% |
Won 2019 GEWon 2017 GEWon 2015 GE | Con | 15,503 | 33.0% |
| LD | 10,947 | 23.3% | |
| Ind | 2,636 | 5.6% |
Louise Sandher-Jones appeared in 3 national articles across 4 topics (15 Apr 2026 – 15 Apr 2026)
Positive (+0.30)Ranked #51 of 286 MPs mentioned in national coverage
Publicly committed to transparency and supporting veterans' claims, but no concrete action yet taken and the issue has been unresolved under her tenure.
Expressed commitment to veterans' transparency and acknowledgment of their difficult campaign, but is responding to established scandal rather than proactively addressing systemic failure.
She expresses commitment to transparency and recognition of veterans' difficulties, but no concrete action or policy change is attributed to her in the article.
13 articles hidden as not sufficiently relevant to this constituency
Dronfield gym S18 has faced financial difficulties and near-closure but is launching a community fundraising campaign to secure its future. The gym, which has historically produced successful boxers, plans a GoFundMe and community event to raise funds for advance rent and stabilise operations.
Millie Bright, a renowned England international defender, reflects on how grassroots football at Killamarsh Dynamos in Sheffield shaped her career, highlighting a pitch now named after her. The article celebrates Football Foundation funding of £100,000 to improve facilities at the club, though it notes ongoing concerns from local coaches about grassroots investment levels.
A Dronfield-based bakery owner discovered that a £16 bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs contained predominantly white eggs rather than the advertised color mix, impacting her business's ability to decorate cakes. The issue appears widespread, with other consumers reporting similar problems and Cadbury acknowledging that color proportions vary across packs.
Grassroots football clubs across South Yorkshire, including those in the North East Derbyshire region, report feeling neglected due to inadequate funding, poor pitch conditions, expensive 3G facilities, and weather-related challenges. Club coaches and leaders call for improved investment in local sports infrastructure and argue that more Premier League revenue should be directed toward grassroots development.
A serious incident on the A61 in Chesterfield has caused significant road closures and severe traffic delays in the area. The southbound route between Horns Bridge roundabout and Lockoford Lane is closed, with congestion extending to nearby roundabouts.
A serious crash on the A61 in Chesterfield town centre caused the southbound carriageway to close for much of the day on Wednesday morning. Emergency services attended the incident and advised drivers to avoid the area due to significant traffic disruption.
Two Derbyshire further education colleges—Derby College and Chesterfield College—will receive a share of £36 million allocated to the East Midlands for repairing and maintaining college buildings. The funding aims to modernise facilities and improve learning environments for students training in skilled trades.
MP Louise Haigh has closed her constituency office on Chesterfield Road after ten years due to safety concerns following incidents of criminal damage and malicious communications. South Yorkshire Police confirmed three incidents over seven months but stated the area remains safe; the MP will continue serving constituents through alternative means.
HBC Construction, a Dronfield-based construction company that completed a management buyout in January 2025, has reported a return to profitability with £1.24m pre-tax profit and 43% turnover growth. The company is forecasting £120m turnover for 2026 with a strong project pipeline across the region.
Three Chesterfield drivers were fined after police responded to reports of illegal off-road racing near Ladybower Reservoir in the Peak District on March 28. The drivers ignored vehicle prohibition signs at Win Hill, causing safety and nuisance concerns, and faced penalties including fines and licence points.
Chesterfield's Stephenson Memorial Hall is undergoing a multimillion-pound transformation and will relaunch as '1435' later this year, featuring a 625-seat theatre, expanded museum, and community spaces. The project, funded through Levelling Up Fund grants and other sources, is part of the wider town centre regeneration initiative and aims to boost the local visitor economy and cultural offering.
A sponsored opinion piece argues that game shooting, particularly exemplified by Monk Wood shoot near Chesterfield, provides significant conservation and wildlife habitat benefits funded by private investment. The article criticizes government proposals to review or ban pheasant and partridge shooting, warning that such bans would undermine rural communities and Labour's stated objectives on nature recovery and economic growth.
A Derby father whose newborn son died from Group B Strep at Royal Derby Hospital in 2022 has spoken about his family's ongoing struggles following a coroner's findings of 'missed opportunities' by hospital staff. The story coincides with publication of a Derby City Council action plan to reduce infant mortality, which the father welcomes but says still contains significant gaps in care consistency and parent communication.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) seafarers are striking on April 7 and 16 over pay and conditions, with unions citing years of below-inflation pay and poor working conditions. Minister for veterans Louise Sandher-Jones has previously acknowledged the RFA's importance and mentioned a workforce recovery programme, but the strikes indicate these measures have failed to resolve the crisis.
The Ministry of Defence is investing over £500,000 to expand victim support services and deploy specialist sexual violence prevention teams to military bases, including Catterick Garrison in Yorkshire. Louise Sandher-Jones MP, as Minister for Veterans and People, announced the initiative to improve safety and support for Armed Forces personnel affected by serious crime and sexual violence.
The Labour Government has formally cancelled a £27 million secondary school planned for Infinity Garden Village near Chellaston in Derbyshire, despite over a decade of planning and £19.8 million in developer funding earmarked for it. The decision is expected to create educational planning difficulties for the area and risks losing Section 106 developer contributions to housing firms.
A fictional football team created by Sheffield comedian Chris McClure will play its first real match on Easter Sunday at Dronfield (within North East Derbyshire), with 2,000 tickets sold and BBC coverage. The event celebrates grassroots football and has generated significant online interest.
The Ministry of Defence is investing £500,000 to expand the Victim Witness Care Unit following a damning survey revealing that nearly a third of women in the armed forces experienced unwanted physical touching and 8% suffered sexual assault. Veterans Minister Louise Sandher-Jones has announced the expansion alongside new Violence Against Women and Girls Taskforce teams at military bases to prevent sexual violence and improve victim support.
The UK government is launching the VALOUR programme, a new network of 14 veteran centres across the country receiving over £13 million in funding, with a further £50 million for central infrastructure. Louise Sandher-Jones MP, as Minister for Veterans and People, announced this expansion of support services covering health, housing, and employment for former armed forces members.
HBC Construction Limited, headquartered in Dronfield (North East Derbyshire), is expanding with a new Leeds office and appointing senior leadership following its management buyout. The company maintains its Dronfield base while strengthening regional coverage across Yorkshire and the North East with a £100 million order book.
The government has launched VALOUR, a £50m programme to establish the UK's first network of government-backed veteran support centres. Louise Sandher-Jones MP, as Minister for Veterans, announced that 14 existing centres will receive over £13m in funding, with one centre in the East Midlands (Derbyshire Addictions Advice Service) selected to join the network.
St John's Church in Dronfield has completed a major £179,541 restoration project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with medieval stained glass and stonework now fully conserved. The church held a celebratory two-day community event in March featuring exhibitions, school artwork, and engagement activities that brought together local schools, heritage organisations, and community groups.
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