Devon Central
Notional 2005 Results:
Conservative: 19843 (42.4%)
Liberal Democrat: 18099 (38.7%)
Labour: 5020 (10.7%)
Other: 3858 (8.2%)
Majority: 1744 (3.7%)
New seat: The extra Devon seat takes areas from Teignbridge, Tiverton and Honiton, Devon West and Torridge, Totnes and Devon North. The provisional proposals had included the Western suburbs of Exeter, but these were removed in the revised recommendations.
Profile: A large rural seat in the centre of Devon, includes small towns such as Bovey Tracey, Crediton, Okehampton, Chudleigh, Ashburton and Buckfastleigh. To the West the constituency includes part of Dartmoor.
Candidates:
Mel Stride (Conservative) Educated at Portsmouth Grammar School and Oxford University. Entrepreneur.
Moira Macdonald (Labour) Born South Africa. Coordinator and speaker for Fawcett Devon.Phil Hutty (Liberal Democrat)Bob Edwards (UKIP) Born 1946, Surrey. Educated at Wellington College. Former Royal Marines Officer. Contested Devon 1989 European elections for the continuing SDP. Contested South West England 1999 European elections, West Devon 2001, Tiverton and Honiton 2005 for UKIP.
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 81858
Male: 48.5%
Female: 51.5%
Under 18: 21.4%
Over 60: 25.7%
Born outside UK: 3.9%
White: 77.3%
Mixed: 0.3%
Other: 0.2%
Christian: 74.6%
Full time students: 1.8%
Graduates 16-74: 21.1%
No Qualifications 16-74: 26.3%
Owner-Occupied: 75%
Social Housing: 10.1% (Council: 7.2%, Housing Ass.: 2.9%)
Privately Rented: 10.9%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 15.2%
I don’t think that the Yeo result can be seen in isolation. Whilst a big swing it doesn’t feel like a blip – in the County elections the last Lib Dem PPC was knocked out and there were several 10%+ swings to the Tories. On paper it would now appear that Central Devon is one of Devon’s safer Tory seats.
I’m still baffled as to why the Lib Dems have selected a candidate from outside Devon – several local LDs have commented to me to the effect that ‘Why not local?, Why’d it take 6 months to reselect a PPC?’
Latest odds,Ladbrokes, are Tories at 1/500, LDs at 20/1 and Labour at 100/1.
As to the apparent delay in the LDs choosing a new PPC its just the arcane way their selection process works.
But, James – you may still be “baffled” – but I already told you that “from outside Devon” is an interpretation you give. His connections and “previous”, are decidedly “Devon”. And, in your answer you sort of acknowledge that. I can’t help feeling you are trying to stir up trouble that is not really there.