Berwickshire Roxburgh and Selkirk
2005 Results:
Liberal Democrat: 18993 (41.8%)
Conservative: 13092 (28.8%)
Labour: 7206 (15.9%)
SNP: 3885 (8.6%)
Other: 2212 (4.9%)
Majority: 5901 (13%)
Boundary changes prior to 2005 election: Name of seat changed from Roxburgh and Berwickshire.
2001 Result
Conservative: 6533 (22.7%)
Labour: 4498 (15.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 14044 (48.8%)
SNP: 2806 (9.7%)
Other: 916 (3.2%)
Majority: 7511 (26.1%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 8337 (23.9%)
Labour: 5226 (15%)
Liberal Democrat: 16243 (46.5%)
SNP: 3959 (11.3%)
Referendum: 922 (2.6%)
Other: 244 (0.7%)
Majority: 7906 (22.6%)
No Boundary Changes
Current MP: Michael Moore (Lib Dem) born 1965, Dundonald. Educated at Jedburgh Grammar School and Edinburgh University. Chartered accountant. MP for Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale since 1997. Transport spokesman 1997-2001, deputy foreign affairs spokesman 2001-2005, Lib Dem shadow defence secretary 2005-2006, foreign secretary 2006-2007, for international development since 2007 (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
Chris Walker (Conservative) Educated at Blackpool College. Hotelier. 
Paul Wheelhouse (SNP) born 1970, Dundonald. Educated at Stewart’s Melville College, Aberdeen University and University of Edinburh Management School. Economic consultant.
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 89370
Male: 48.2%
Female: 51.8%
Under 18: 21.9%
Over 60: 24.9%
Born outside UK: 2.7%
White: 99.4%
Asian: 0.2%
Other: 0.2%
Christian: 67.2%
Graduates 16-74: 18.8%
No Qualifications 16-74: 35.4%
Owner-Occupied: 59.2%
Social Housing: 25.3% (Council: 14.5%, Housing Ass.: 10.8%)
Privately Rented: 10.5%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 7.2%
93 Responses
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The contrast between predictions for Tory prospects between England and Scotland is quite interesting. In England, the Tories are polling 40-45% but their supporters here are cautious about overtaking Lib Dem majorities of 6,000. Yet for Scotland, where the Conservatives are polling 15-20%, the predictions are that Lib Dem majorities of 6,000 will be easy to beat.
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:38 pmBradford South
Probably because the Tories won the equivalent seat (or a big chunk of it) in 2007 at Holyrood
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:30 pm“Yet for Scotland, where the Conservatives are polling 15-20%, the predictions are that Lib Dem majorities of 6,000 will be easy to beat.”
The difference between:
Dumfriesshire Clydesdale & Tweeddale
Dumfries & Galloway
Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk
…and other Scottish seats further North is that these three are on the English border and are thus influnced as much by adjacent English seats as Scottish ones. The lower poll share for the Tories is less applicable here than in Scotland as a whole.
The border seats have been “the clouds of silver lining” for the Scottish Tories in the 2001 General Election (Galloway & Upper Nithdale), 2003 Holyrood Election (Galloway & Upper Nithdale), 2005 General Election (DC & T) and 2007 Holyrood Election (R & B and more than defending the SNP’s top target seat G & UN on a night which saw a huge surge to the SNP).
Dumfries & Galloway (2005) and Dumfries (2007) were of course disappointing also - but I still think Russell Brown will lose in 2010 (if only just), partly through Peter Duncan’s vote rising but also through many soft SNP votes particuarly in more urban settlements in Galloway not being so worried about keeping the Tories out.
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:26 pmPages: « 1 … 3 4 5 6 [7] Show All