During splitting (disbandment) The two seats alternated frequently between the three largest parties in the 1920s before the 1931 and 1935 elections which saw a major Conservative and Unionist Party victory (standing as Unionist in this area) in Birkenhead West, the latter election heralding a 10-year Parliament.
The MP since 1979, Frank Field was immediately appointed as the Blair ministry's Welfare Reform Minister for one year and since 2015 has chaired the related Work and Pensions Committee.