Oldham West and Royton
Notional 2005 Results:
Labour: 18948 (49.5%)
Conservative: 8061 (21.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 7618 (19.9%)
Other: 3658 (9.6%)
Majority: 10887 (28.4%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 7998 (21.3%)
Labour: 18452 (49.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 7519 (20%)
BNP: 2606 (6.9%)
UKIP: 987 (2.6%)
Majority: 10454 (27.8%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 7076 (17.7%)
Labour: 20441 (51.2%)
Liberal Democrat: 4975 (12.4%)
Green: 918 (2.3%)
BNP: 6552 (16.4%)
Majority: 13365 (33.4%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 10693 (23.4%)
Labour: 26894 (58.8%)
Liberal Democrat: 5434 (11.9%)
Referendum: 1157 (2.5%)
Other: 1560 (3.4%)
Majority: 16201 (35.4%)
Boundary changes:
Profile:
Outgoing MP: Michael Meacher(Labour) Born 1939, Hemel Hempstead. Educated at Berkhamsted School and Oxford University. Prior to his election was a university lecturer. Contested Colchester 1966, Oldham West by-election 1968. First elected as MP for Oldham West in 1970. Under-secretary for Industry 1974-5, for Health and Social Security 1975-1979. Contested Labour`s Deputy leadership 1983. He was a member of the shadow cabinet thoughout most of Labour`s opposition during the 1980s and 90s, but was not appointed to the cabinet on their return to power, instead being appointed a Minister of State at the Department of the Environment 1997-2003. He attempted to run as a left-wing candidate for the Labour leadership in 2007, but unable to secure enough nominations stood down in favour of John McDonnell (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
Kamran Ghafoor (Conservative) Educated at Salford University. Petrol station entrepreneur. Former Oldham councillor.Michael Meacher(Labour) Born 1939, Hemel Hempstead. Educated at Berkhamsted School and Oxford University. Prior to his election was a university lecturer. Contested Colchester 1966, Oldham West by-election 1968. First elected as MP for Oldham West in 1970. Under-secretary for Industry 1974-5, for Health and Social Security 1975-1979. Contested Labour`s Deputy leadership 1983. He was a member of the shadow cabinet thoughout most of Labour`s opposition during the 1980s and 90s, but was not appointed to the cabinet on their return to power, instead being appointed a Minister of State at the Department of the Environment 1997-2003. He attempted to run as a left-wing candidate for the Labour leadership in 2007, but unable to secure enough nominations stood down in favour of John McDonnell (more information at They work for you)
Mark Alcock (Liberal Democrat) Oldham councillor.
John Whittaker (UKIP)
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 99059
Male: 48.5%
Female: 51.5%
Under 18: 27%
Over 60: 19.1%
Born outside UK: 10.9%
White: 81%
Black: 0.5%
Asian: 16.9%
Mixed: 1.2%
Other: 0.3%
Christian: 68.3%
Hindu: 1%
Muslim: 15.6%
Full time students: 3.1%
Graduates 16-74: 11.1%
No Qualifications 16-74: 40.8%
Owner-Occupied: 65%
Social Housing: 26.7% (Council: 20.1%, Housing Ass.: 6.6%)
Privately Rented: 5%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 7.4%
Mark Alcock has been selected for the Lib Dems here.
I’ve been a member of the “Mark Alcock 4 OWaR” Facebook group for months now Matt =P
How many members does it have out of interest?
I can’t access it here at work but if I remember to do so tonight I’ll let you know (unless, you know, it’s of such importance you feel like joining yourself….=) =P)
There are 223 members of the Mark Alcock facebook group =P
Have Chadderton and Failsworth ever been in the same constituency?
They were both in Oldham West from 1983 to 1997. Chadderton had been in Oldham West before 1983 and remained after 1997, but Failsworth was previously in Manchester Openshaw and was moved to Ashton under Lyne in 1997.
Thanks Pete
The two Oldham constituencies had very similar results between 1983 and 1992.
Was that expected or did the Conservatives underachieve in one of them (as they did in many Lancashire textile towns)?
I think they did underachieve somewhat in Oldham West where there was only a very small swing compared with the notional result from 1979. In Oldham C & Royton there was a larger swing, though of course the Tory vote was down in both seats and in Central & Royton there happened to be a stronger performance by the SDP.
The old Oldham East had bucked the trend by I think being the only seat in England Labour gained from the Tories in 1959, which I think I may have mentioned elsewhere.
Kamran Ghafoor has been selected as the Conservative candidate here.
He is a former Oldham Councillor.
I am surprised Michael Meacher is still planning to stand again, after 40 years as an MP and 71 years old, surely he has had enough by now?