Folkestone and Hythe
2010 Results:
Conservative: 26109 (49.45%)
Labour: 5719 (10.83%)
Liberal Democrat: 15987 (30.28%)
BNP: 1662 (3.15%)
UKIP: 2439 (4.62%)
Green: 637 (1.21%)
Independent: 247 (0.47%)
Majority: 10122 (19.17%)
Notional 2005 Results:
Conservative: 28096 (54.8%)
Liberal Democrat: 14935 (29.1%)
Labour: 6360 (12.4%)
Other: 1893 (3.7%)
Majority: 13161 (25.7%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 26161 (53.9%)
Labour: 6053 (12.5%)
Liberal Democrat: 14481 (29.9%)
Green: 688 (1.4%)
UKIP: 619 (1.3%)
Other: 501 (1%)
Majority: 11680 (24.1%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 20645 (45%)
Labour: 9260 (20.2%)
Liberal Democrat: 14738 (32.1%)
UKIP: 1212 (2.6%)
Majority: 5907 (12.9%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 20313 (39%)
Labour: 12939 (24.9%)
Liberal Democrat: 13981 (26.9%)
Referendum: 4188 (8%)
Other: 629 (1.2%)
Majority: 6332 (12.2%)
Boundary changes: gains the ward of Saxon Shore from Ashford in order to reduce the size of the rapidly growing Ashford constituency. This ends the conterminosity of Shepway and the Folkestone and Hythe constituency.
Profile: This is the southernmost section of the Kent coastline, including the cinque ports of Hythe and Romsey. The local economy has been heavily influenced by the opening of the Channel Tunnel. As well as the towns of Folkestone and Hythe, the constituency includes the rural villages around them such as Elham, Lyminge and Lympne and Romney Marsh. The constituency is also the site of Dungeoness Power Station, Saltwood castle (the former home of Lord Deedes, and Alan Clark) and Port Lympne Wild Animal Park (founded by the late John Aspinall, who was the Referendum party candidate for the seat in 1997, managing one of the party`s best performances).
While Folkestone and Hythe appears to be obvious Conservative territory, there has always been a strong Liberal presence in the seat. During the 2005 general election the seat was targeted by the Liberal Democrats and recieved several visits from Charles Kennedy in an attempt to unseat the then Conservative leader, Michael Howard. Shepway council, which until the most recent review was conterminous with the constituency, was Liberal Democrat controlled until 2004, but following the capping of their council tax the group leader resigned and the Liberal Democrat group on the council split into rival groupings. As of 2006 the council is run by a coalition between the Conservatives and the People First party, the name adopted by the rival Liberal Democrat grouping on the council.
Current MP: Damian Collins (Conservative) born 1974. Educated at St Mary`s High School and Oxford University. Managing director of an advertising company. Contested Northampton North 2005.
Damian Collins (Conservative) born 1974. Educated at St Mary`s High School and Oxford University. Managing director of an advertising company. Contested Northampton North 2005. 
Donald Worsley (Labour) 
Lynne Beaumont (Liberal Democrat) Shepway councillor.Penny Kemp (Green) 
Frank McKenna (UKIP).Harry Williams (BNP)
David Plumstead (Independent) Ran an enginneering company.2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 101150
Male: 47.9%
Female: 52.1%
Under 18: 21.9%
Over 60: 25.5%
Born outside UK: 6.4%
White: 97.4%
Black: 0.2%
Asian: 1.4%
Mixed: 0.7%
Other: 0.3%
Christian: 75.5%
Hindu: 1%
Full time students: 2.2%
Graduates 16-74: 14.9%
No Qualifications 16-74: 30.2%
Owner-Occupied: 73.2%
Social Housing: 12% (Council: 8.7%, Housing Ass.: 3.3%)
Privately Rented: 11.4%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 7.6%
