THE final general election forecast of 2023 has predicted that Barnsley will return to a Labour stronghold.
There are currently four constituencies in the town - Dan Jarvis’ Barnsley Central, Stephanie Peacock’s Barnsley East, John Healey’s Wentworth and Dearne and Miriam Cates’ Penistone and Stocksbridge.
The latter is the only area in Barnsley under the wing of a Tory MP - but the final election forecast of the year predicts the seat will turn red again.
Next year, Parliament will dissolve ahead of the general election - and by then the town’s four constituencies will become three.
The election has been widely tipped for spring but could be as late as December.
It’s anticipated that Ms Peacock under the new Barnsley South constituency will receive a majority of 10,530, and Mr Jarvis’ new constituency of Barnsley North will have a majority of more than 15,000.
Ms Cates is expected to lose her seat, with Labour - whose current Parliamentary candidate is Dr Marie Tidball - having a majority of 10,002.
