Richmond Park
Notional 2005 Results:
Liberal Democrat: 23801 (46.7%)
Conservative: 20152 (39.5%)
Labour: 4728 (9.3%)
Other: 2297 (4.5%)
Majority: 3649 (7.2%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 20280 (39.5%)
Labour: 4768 (9.3%)
Liberal Democrat: 24011 (46.7%)
Green: 1379 (2.7%)
UKIP: 458 (0.9%)
Other: 478 (0.9%)
Majority: 3731 (7.3%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 18480 (37.6%)
Labour: 5541 (11.3%)
Liberal Democrat: 23444 (47.7%)
UKIP: 348 (0.7%)
Green: 1223 (2.5%)
Other: 115 (0.2%)
Majority: 4964 (10.1%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 22442 (39.5%)
Labour: 7172 (12.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 25393 (44.7%)
Referendum: 1467 (2.6%)
Other: 379 (0.7%)
Majority: 2951 (5.2%)
Boundary changes: : Minor changes to bring constituency boundaries in line with ward boundaries. Boundary changes transfer part of the Beveley Ward from Richmond Park to Kingston & Surbiton of around 2000 electors to the North of New Malden station.
Profile: An affluent, middle-class suburban seat, characterised by desirable period houses, large gardens and huge property prices. The seat includes East Sheen, Mortlake, Richmond, Ham, Kew, Barnes. Petersham as well as the vast Richmond Park itself, and part of Kingston upon Thames and Coombe to the South of it.
The Richmond Park seat was created in 1997 from the merger of Richmond and Barnes and part of Kingston upon Thames, leaving the Kingston MP and former Chancellor of the Exchequer Norman Lamont to go on his doomed run up to Harrogate. Along with Twickenham and Kingston and Surbiton it is now part of a wedge of Liberal Democrat strength in South-West London.
Outgoing MP: Susan Kramer(Lib Dem) born 1950, London. Educated at St Paul`s and Oxford University. Former Vice-President of Citibank and Director of International Capital Partners, a company advising on infrastructure in Eastern Europe. Stood for London Mayor in 2000. Contested London in 1999 European elections. Contested Dulwich and West Norwood 1997. First elected as MP for Richmond Park in 2005. Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesman 2006-7, transport 2007, families and cabinet office since 2007 (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
Zac Goldsmith (Conservative) born 1975, Westminster. Son of Sir James Goldsmith, the billionaire financier and founder of the Referendum Party. Educated at Eton. Environmental activist and editor of The Ecologist.
Eleanor Tunnicliffe (Labour) Educated at Cambridge University. Backed Jon Cruddas in 2007 deputy leadership election.Susan Kramer(Lib Dem) born 1950, London. Educated at St Paul`s and Oxford University. Former Vice-President of Citibank and Director of International Capital Partners, a company advising on infrastructure in Eastern Europe. Stood for London Mayor in 2000. Contested London in 1999 European elections. Contested Dulwich and West Norwood 1997. First elected as MP for Richmond Park in 2005. Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesman 2006-7, transport 2007, families and cabinet office since 2007 (more information at They work for you)
James Page (Green) Contested Richmond Park 2001, 2005.
Peter Dul (UKIP)
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 106256
Male: 48.1%
Female: 51.9%
Under 18: 21.2%
Over 60: 17.4%
Born outside UK: 24.5%
White: 88.2%
Black: 1.2%
Asian: 4.9%
Mixed: 2.5%
Other: 3.1%
Christian: 64.4%
Hindu: 2%
Jewish: 1.3%
Muslim: 3.4%
Full time students: 5.9%
Graduates 16-74: 48.4%
No Qualifications 16-74: 12.3%
Owner-Occupied: 66.6%
Social Housing: 12.2% (Council: 5.2%, Housing Ass.: 6.9%)
Privately Rented: 17.2%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 7.4%
As I recall, during the mayoral elections back in 2000, Susan Kramer reminded people about her vast experience as a banker in practically every other sentence. I wonder if shes so eager to remind people of that now?
Made me chuckle there Shaun!
C.M Vale, fair enough, I misunderstood your reference to the resources at Zac Goldsmith’s disposal as a dig at his wealth. Apologies.
Just had a very nice Tory lady canvasser call on me this morning. Managed to keep her chatting quite a few minutes – dastardly Labour trick…….
We can be “robust” when canvassing yes but I really don’t think we indulge in insinuations and outright lies. Mostly we canvass to ascertain voting intentions rather than overdo the conversion-on-the-doorstep stuff anyway.
The only purpose of canvassing is to ascertain voting intentions and the information obtained may be of use on polling day if your campaign includes using the Reading system for door knocking in the hours just before the polls close. Candidates who knock on doors at any other time are just lonely and insecure.
I was in Richmond Park 19/2/2010 and found voters feel very happy with their local lady MP Susan Kramer. She answers letters, attends meetings and raises issues. It will be very close, but her personal following will be the key factor in this battle against a Tory swing.
Whatever the result here, I can envisage the turnout being just under 80% or slightly over. In 2005, there was a very high turnout of 72.8% and with so much focus on the seat over the past two years, there will be an increased incentive for voters to turn out even more.
It could quite easily be the seat with the highest turnout in the country.
The Council result in Richmond upon Thames will be very interesting indeed. On paper, the Conservatives could narrowly regain control, but I think the most likely scenario will be a dramatically reduced Lib-Dem majority to something in the region of 6 seats.
Prediction for the Council:
LD: 30 (-6)
Con: 24 (+6)
Which seats have included Mortlake?
Kingston 1885-1918
Richmond 1918-1983
Richmond & Barnes 1983-1997
Richmond Park 1997-