Durham North
2010 Results:
Conservative: 8622 (21.05%)
Labour: 20698 (50.52%)
Liberal Democrat: 8617 (21.03%)
BNP: 1686 (4.12%)
UKIP: 1344 (3.28%)
Majority: 12076 (29.47%)
Notional 2005 Results:
Labour: 23932 (64.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 7151 (19.2%)
Conservative: 6258 (16.8%)
Other: 0 (0%)
Majority: 16781 (44.9%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 6258 (16.8%)
Labour: 23932 (64.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 7151 (19.2%)
Majority: 16781 (44.9%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 7237 (18.8%)
Labour: 25920 (67.2%)
Liberal Democrat: 5411 (14%)
Majority: 18683 (48.4%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 6843 (14.5%)
Labour: 33142 (70.3%)
Liberal Democrat: 5225 (11.1%)
Referendum: 1958 (4.2%)
Majority: 26299 (55.8%)
Boundary changes:
Profile:
Current MP: Kevan Jones(Labour) born 1964, Nottinghamshire. Educated at Portland School and Newcastle Polytechnic. Prior to his election was a trade union official. Newcastle councillor 1990-2001. MP for North Durham since 2001. Minister for Veterans since 2008 (more information at They work for you)
David Skelton (Conservative) born 1978, Consett. Educated at Consett Moorside Comprehensive amd Hull university. Management consultant.Kevan Jones(Labour) born 1964, Nottinghamshire. Educated at Portland School and Newcastle Polytechnic. Prior to his election was a trade union official. Newcastle councillor 1990-2001. MP for North Durham since 2001. Minister for Veterans since 2008 (more information at They work for you)
Ian Lindley (Liberal Democrat) Business liasion officer. Northumberland councillor.
Bruce Reid (UKIP)Peter Molloy (BNP) 2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 84692
Male: 48.6%
Female: 51.4%
Under 18: 21.7%
Over 60: 21.4%
Born outside UK: 1.5%
White: 99.1%
Asian: 0.3%
Mixed: 0.3%
Other: 0.3%
Christian: 83.5%
Full time students: 2.1%
Graduates 16-74: 13.2%
No Qualifications 16-74: 35.5%
Owner-Occupied: 68.6%
Social Housing: 25.4% (Council: 23.7%, Housing Ass.: 1.8%)
Privately Rented: 4.2%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 2.6%
This constituency is the home of the most Northerly Test cricket ground in the world. Chester-le-Street is a little unfortunate not to get a mention in this seat’s name – it was so called until 1983 – but is also the source of virtually all of such Tory votes as exist here. This seat has been Labour for over a century, even surviving the 1931 election.
For a long time, home to Giles Radice who was the intellectual core of the Labour right and wrote a set of underrated political diaries. His selection in 1973 as a pro-marketeer in a Labour Party which was growing increasingly left-wing was a cause of some dissent (he was foisted on the constituency by the GMWU) and the Liberal candidate did well at the byelection despite being a bookseller from the south of England. However Radice came to dominate the local scene. He was briefly Shadow Education Secretary under Neil Kinnock but wasn’t really cut out for front bench roles.
“This constituency is the home of the most Northerly Test cricket ground in the world”
This was one of the Million pound questions on Who wants to be a millionaire. Question I think was “Chester-le Street is the headquarters of which County Cricket Club?” I knew the answer not because I know anything about cricket (which I dont) but because I knew Chester-le-street was in Durham thanks to my having studied elections.
Unfortunately I wasnt the one being asked the question..
‘This was one of the Million pound questions on Who wants to be a millionaire. Question I think was “Chester-le Street is the headquarters of which County Cricket Club?” I knew the answer not because I know anything about cricket (which I dont) but because I knew Chester-le-street was in Durham thanks to my having studied elections.’
I remember it well – the old boy answering didn’t know and bottled it, although initially I thought it was a trick question as it was much easier than earlier questions which he did know – I think the alternative answers included Warwickshire and Hampshire
Going back to the seat, former MP Giles Radice was one of the brightest minds within the Labour Party during their wilderness years. The fact he got no further than Neil Kinnock’s shadow cabinet says more about the ineptitide of the Labour Party than his likely abilities as a government minister
What an easy question for £1million! I happen to live just up the road but even still. Perhaps had Durham North retained its original name the question would have been more suited to the £16,000 or £32,000 level.
I thought it was a bit easy – most people in the north of England would know the answer I suppose, or anyone who travels up that way. I dont suppose having a constituency named after it would have enlightened all that many people who didnt already know
Sadly Pete you’re probably right.
David Skelton has been selected by the Conservatives here.
From what I’ve seen of County Durham’s Conservative candidates, Skelton is running by far the best campaign. Expect to see the Conservatives moving back into a strong second place here!
The Lib Dems have selected Ian Lindley here (obviously a different one to the Worley & Eccles South one!!) – he is a Northumberland councillor.
The BNP have selected Peter Molloy
The only time this seat has elected a non-Labour MP was on its creation in 1885, when Liberal Sir James Joicey won. Giles Radice represented the seat from 1973 to 2001
Just got a mauling on Sky News with his response to Gurkhas and Lumley
Joanna Lumley could beat this ignorant twerp if she stood. However, why would anyone so intelligent want to be an MP?
‘why would anyone so intelligent want to be an MP?’
To bring common sense to parliament, and therefore to satisfy the vast majority of voters who are disgusted with the way parliament has become.
BTW I assume Adrian was referring to Kevan Jones.
Lab Hold= 12,000 maj
Lab Hold
Maj 14 200
Lab maj 14,000
I live here and I’m hoping for a decent swing to the Lib Dems. We can’t win this seat, but every vote is a vote for reform of our 19th century political system.
LAB HOLD
An appalling result for labour at the GE. Supposedly it was caused by a range of things like the MPs gurkha remarks?
County Durham was bad for Labour overall (leaving Durham City aside)
Bishop Aucklands -11.1 percentage points
Durham NW -11.6
Easington -12.4
Darlington -12.9
Durham N -13.6
Sedgefield -13.9
Using Anthony’s notionals we get a similar picture
Bishop Aucklands -11.05
Durham NW -11.59
Easington -12.26
Darlington -13.12
Durham N -13.58
Sedgefield -13.7
How much of its 2005 share Labour held ((Labour 2005 %*100)/Labour 100%)
Easington 82.6%
Durham N 78.7%
Durham NW 78.4%
Bishop Aucklands 78%
Sedgefield 76.4%
Darlington 75.3%
Similar drops were recorded also in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar (well, even worse there), Sunderland (except for Central)
Just Kevan Jones speaking in the Local Government debate.
He’s quite impressive,
good voice, strong man, interesting and sharp.
Rather surprised how bad the Labour result was here given what I’ve described, although he was a new MP and this was part of the regional swing.
No Kevan wasn’t a new MP, he first entered the House in 2001 when Giles Radice retired.
Durham N most likely 2015
Lab 58
Con 21
LD 12
others 9
Turnout 60%