Penrith and the Border
Notional 2005 Results:
Conservative: 20285 (50.5%)
Liberal Democrat: 10979 (27.3%)
Labour: 7344 (18.3%)
Other: 1539 (3.8%)
Majority: 9307 (23.2%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 24046 (51.3%)
Labour: 8958 (19.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 12142 (25.9%)
UKIP: 1187 (2.5%)
Other: 549 (1.2%)
Majority: 11904 (25.4%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 24302 (54.9%)
Labour: 8177 (18.5%)
Liberal Democrat: 9625 (21.8%)
UKIP: 938 (2.1%)
Other: 1207 (2.7%)
Majority: 14677 (33.2%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 23300 (47.6%)
Labour: 10576 (21.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 13067 (26.7%)
Referendum: 2018 (4.1%)
Majority: 10233 (20.9%)
Boundary changes: loses Wetheral to Carlisle and Marsh, Wampool and part of Waver ward to Workington.
Profile: a geographically huge constituency at the extreme north-west of England. The seat comprises the whole of Eden District council, most of the rural parts of Carlisle Council (Carlisle constituency is almost entirely surrounded by Penrith & the Border) and part of Allerdale. The largest population centre is the town of Penrith itself, along with smaller market towns like Brampton, Longtown, Wigtown, Appleby and Kirkby Stephen.
The seat is sparsely populated and largely dependent on agriculture and the tourism industry in the Lake District. The seat was very heavily hit by the Foot and Mouth epidemic in 2001, which had spread from an animal sold at Longtown market, and the economy is still recovering. Politically, like other affected seats this resulted in a large swing the Conservative party, which fell back somewhat in 2005 – though the seat remains a Conservative stronghold.
Outgoing MP: David Maclean(Conservative) born 1953, Black Isle, Cromarty. Educated at Fortrose Academy and the University of Aberdeen. MacLean is a combatative and outspoken Thatcherite. First elected as MP for Penrith and the Border in the 1983 by-election following Willie Whitelaw`s elevation to the peerage. Government whip 1987-9, Junior minister at the department of agriculture 1989-92, minister of state for the environment 1992-3, minister of state at the home office 1993-97. Along with Eric Forth he was part of the “awkward squad” under William Hague, but served as Chief Whip under Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996 and now walks with a characteristic shepherd`s crook. Will stand down at the next election (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
Rory Stewart (Conservative) born 1973, Hong Kong. Educated at Eton and Oxford University. Author and professor of Human Rights at Harvard University. Former army officer, diplomat, deputy governor of Maysan province, Iraq and Chief executive of an Afghanistan regeneration NGO. Awarded the OBE 2004 for service in Iraq.
Barbara Cannon (Labour) Allerdale borough councillor and Cumbria county councillor. 
Peter Thornton (Liberal Democrat) Born 1951, Kendal. Educated at Kendal Grammar School. Smallholder and former photographer. Cumbria councillor.
Bill Robinson (UKIP) 
Chris Davidson (BNP)
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 77311
Male: 49.1%
Female: 50.9%
Under 18: 20.9%
Over 60: 24.5%
Born outside UK: 2%
White: 99.5%
Mixed: 0.2%
Christian: 82%
Full time students: 1.8%
Graduates 16-74: 18.8%
No Qualifications 16-74: 29.2%
Owner-Occupied: 74%
Social Housing: 10.9% (Council: 3.1%, Housing Ass.: 7.8%)
Privately Rented: 10%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 9.7%
Just been confirmed that this seat will count the votes on election night.
It’s the largest seat by area in England.
The largest seat by area in Wales is also counting on the night (Brecon & Radnor), and in Northern Ireland (since all 18 seats are doing so for the first time this year).