Former Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, has represented the seat for the Labour Party since the 1992 general election, when he succeeded the three-term Labour member Frank Haynes. In normal circumstances a safe Labour area, the Conservatives pulled off a by-election upset in the seat in 1977, but at the general election two years later it was won back by Labour. However, there were strong Tory challenges at general elections in the 1980s.
Ashfield County Constituency was formed in 1970. At that date it covered the areas of the Urban Districts of Hucknall, Kirkby in Ashfield and Sutton in Ashfield, together with three Civil Parishes (Annesley, Felley and Selston) in Basford Rural District.
In 1974 a Local Government District called Ashfield was formed that had the same boundaries as the constituency.
In 1983 the boundary of the constituency was altered. The town of Hucknall was transferred to the new Sherwood constituency, while the town of Eastwood and the ward of Brinsley were added, having previously been in the Beeston constituency, which was abolished at this time.
From the district of Ashfield - Jacksdale, Kirkby in Ashfield Central, Kirkby in Ashfield East, Kirkby in Ashfield West, Selston, Sutton in Ashfield Central, Sutton in Ashfield East, Sutton in Ashfield North, Sutton in Ashfield West, Underwood and Woodhouse
From the Borough of Broxtowe - Brinsley, Eastwood North and Greasley (Beauvale) and Eastwood South.
