Eastern (Melton), Mid [or] (Loughborough), Western (Bosworth) and Southern (Harborough), each returning one member, the last part was a borough constituency for Leicester which returned two MPs. In 1983 the Leicestershire coalfield, an area loyal to Labour, was removed from the constituency and replaced by much of the Soar Valley, a rural area that tended to vote Conservative. Opencast coal mining is still relevant to the west of the seat only at Measham, one of the few high-profile excavations planned by Coalfield Resources PLC (formerly UK Coal). In 1995 the Soar Valley was moved to the newly created Charnwood constituency approximately reinstating the old version of the seat. The last time that Loughborough was not represented by an MP from a governing political party was prior to the February 1974 general election, making the constituency a bellwether. Members of Parliament Elections Elections in the 2010s Elections in the 2000s The 2005 general election saw Andy Reed returned with a decreased majority after his share of the vote dropped by 8.3%. Loughborough was the 126th target seat of the Conservative Party and their share of the vote increased slightly but the Liberal Democrats had the largest increase. The swing of 5.0% from Labour to Conservative was higher than the national swing of 3.0% and turnout was above average. Elections in the 1990s Elections in the 1980s Elections in the 1970s Elections in the 1960s Elections in the 1950s Elections in the 1940s Elections in the 1930s Elections in the 1920s Elections in the 1910s Elections in the 1900s Elections in the 1890s Elections in the 1880s See also List of parliamentary constituencies in Leicestershire and Rutland Notes References Sources UK Genealogy Archives - History BBC News: Loughborough constituency - History and Boundaries Andy Reed MP | Loughborough Constituency - Boundaries British Parliamentary Election results 1983-97 - Elections (1983–1992) UK General Elections since 1832 - Elections (1951–1979) McCalmont, Frederick Haynes, Stenton Michael, Vincent, John Russell. McCalmont's parliamentary poll book: British election results. () F. W. S. Craig. British Parliamentary Election Results 1950-1973. () F. W. S. Craig. British Parliamentary Election Results 1918-1949. () External links BBC News: Voters 'concerned' at crime rise Labour in Loughborough Loughborough Conservatives Loughborough Liberal Democrats Map showing original Loughborough constituency (1895) Parliamentary constituencies in Leicestershire Constituencies of the Parliament of the United Kingdom established in 1885