Comments on: Bournemouth West

By: Tim Jones

Tim Jones — Tue, 17 May 2011 18:49:37 +0000

‘Yes, Poole is a more downmarket relation to Bournemouth.’

I always thought it was the other way round with Poole the more up-market town – similar to how Hove used to compare to Brighton (ie favourably)

But Bournemouth is nothing like the coastal towns further east – from Southampton to Margate – so the Conservative composition of the council isn’t surprising

I still think the Lib Dems should have done better here in 2010

By: Barnaby Marder

Barnaby Marder — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:24:13 +0000

although perhaps oddly Labour retain councillors in Bournemouth, in the Kinson council estate. There used to be Labour councillors in Wallisdown too, but now that’s combined with part of owner-occupied middle-class Winton that’s not easy to achieve any more. There are certain other wards which could be Labour in certain circumstances too but on the whole the town remains resolutely upmarket.

By: akmd

akmd — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:20:18 +0000

Yes, Poole is a more downmarket relation to Bournemouth but it’s not without its nicer parts. The Quay and old town are pleasant places to visit as is the Sandbanks area.

The difference between the two towns can be seen in their council compositions. While Bournemouth council is strongly Conservative, Poole council is more mixed with 21 Conservatives, 18 Lib Dems and 3 Poole People.

By: Tim Jones

Tim Jones — Tue, 17 May 2011 14:31:01 +0000

‘So what did you make of it Tim? I last visited Bournemouth about five years ago and it looks posh to me.’

Just noticed your post John

I concur – I was pleasantly surprised by Bournemouth – nice big sandy beech, lots of green areas, fairly vibrant town centre, and nothing remotely comparable to places like Hastings, Margate and Littlehampton

Poole didn’t seem particularly nice but I only drove through it so didn’t see much of it

By: Votedave

Votedave — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 16:23:11 +0000

“i have a stag do in Bournemouth on the bank holiday weekend so it will b e intrwssting to see whether it has declined as much as other seaside towns”

So what did you make of it Tim? I last visited Bournemouth about five years ago and it looks posh to me.

By: Tim Jones

Tim Jones — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:51:35 +0000

‘There was a piece on the news during the election that indicated the sudden increase in LD support after the 1st debate was actually too much for them to carry through on the ground with their targets, and they weren’t really expecting this one.’

I remember seeing that

The Lib Dem candidate seemed oblivious to fact fhat this seat was winnible – strange given the slenderness of the Tory majority following the boundary changes

A poor Lib Dem result – but consistent with other similar Tory-held LD/Con marginals in the South West

Had John Butterfill stood, I think they could have won in light of his dispicible behaviour (along with Hewiitt, Hoon and the biggest disgrace of all, Byers) in the ‘cash for questions’ documentary on Channel 4

I hope Mr Cameron sticks with his decision not to give Butterfill a seat in the House of Lords

i have a stag do in Bournemouth on the bank holiday weekend so it will b e intrwssting to see whether it has declined as much as other seaside towns

By: sbjme19

sbjme19 — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 06:13:49 +0000

I was reading on the Torbay thread how it is declining and causing the Tories to struggle there.
Bournemouth seems to have bucked the trend of the Tories having difficulties in declining seaside resorts. Of course it has a more mixed economy although the majorities are much lower than they used to be.

By: Pete Whitehead

Pete Whitehead — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 22:28:59 +0000

I believe it was although Kinson was historically in Dorset (ie when most of Bournemouth was in Hampshire) and would not have been included in a Bournemouth seat until I think 1950.
The Central ward was in Bournemouth East from 1983-1997 and has been in this seat since then

By: Harry Porter

Harry Porter — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:08:23 +0000

Was all of Bournemouth in the Christchurch seat from 1832 to 1918, and has Central ward been in this seat since 1983?

By: Joe James B

Joe James B — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 22:51:51 +0000

There was a piece on the news during the election that indicated the sudden increase in LD support after the 1st debate was actually too much for them to carry through on the ground with their targets, and they weren’t really expecting this one.