Kettering

Boundary changes:

Profile: A semi-rural seat in Northamptonshire. Includes the towns of Kettering, Desborough, Rothwell and Burton Latimer. A middle-cass seat with a thriving economy and low unemployment. Kettering was formerly a centre of the shoe and boot industry, but its central placement and transport links mean it has branched into service and distribution industries. Significant local employers include Weetabix, Pegasus software and Morrisons.

Large scale residential expansion is planned over the next fifteen years – 13,100 new homes are planned, mostly by expanding Kettering itself eastwards. Major refurbishement of the town centre is also planned in Kettering.

Was Labour most marginal seat after the 1997 election and remained an ultra-marginal in 2001. The Conservatives won the seat with a substantial majority in 2005, but the new boundaries favour Labour and once again leave the seat as a ultra-marginal.

Current MP: Philip Hollobone(Conservative) born 1964. Educated at Dulwich College and Oxford University. Former investment banker. Bromley councillor 1990-1994. Kettering Borough Councillor 2003-. Contested Lewisham East in 1997 and Kettering in 2001. First elected as MP for Kettering in 2005. An opponent of British membership of the European Union, Hollobone is one of only nine Conservative MPs to sign up to the Better Off Out campaign. Notably has declined to employee any staff or researchers, claiming he prefers to handle casework himself (more information at They work for you)

2010 election candidates:
Philip Hollobone(Conservative) born 1964. Educated at Dulwich College and Oxford University. Former investment banker. Bromley councillor 1990-1994. Kettering Borough Councillor 2003-. Contested Lewisham East in 1997 and Kettering in 2001. First elected as MP for Kettering in 2005. An opponent of British membership of the European Union, Hollobone is one of only nine Conservative MPs to sign up to the Better Off Out campaign. Notably has declined to employee any staff or researchers, claiming he prefers to handle casework himself (more information at They work for you)
Phil Sawford (Labour) born 1950, Loddington. Educated at Kettering Grammar School and the University of Leicester. A Labour left-winger and member of the Campaign Group. Member of Kettering Borough Council 1979-1983, 1986-1997, Leader of Kettering Council 1991-1997. MP for Kettering 1997-2005. Contested Kettering in 2005.
Chris Nelson (Liberal Democrat) Born Kettering. Educated at Ise Community College and Oxford Brookes University. Parliamentary aide.
Clive Skinner (BNP)
Derek Hilling (English Democrat) Contested East Midlands 2009 European election
Dave Bishop (Bus-Pass Elvis)