St Austell and Newquay
2010 Results:
Conservative: 18877 (39.96%)
Labour: 3386 (7.17%)
Liberal Democrat: 20189 (42.74%)
BNP: 1022 (2.16%)
UKIP: 1757 (3.72%)
Others: 2007 (4.25%)
Majority: 1312 (2.78%)
Notional 2005 Results:
Liberal Democrat: 16109 (40.9%)
Conservative: 15479 (39.3%)
Labour: 4612 (11.7%)
Other: 3147 (8%)
Majority: 630 (1.6%)
New seat:
Profile:
Current MP: Stephen Gilbert (Liberal Democrat) born 1976, Truro. Educated at Fowey Community School and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Consultant to a public relations firm. Former Restormel borough councillor. Haringey councillor from 2002-2006
Caroline Righton (Conservative) Journalist and TV producer, former newsreader & TV-AM presenter and author of self-help book “The Life Audit”.
Lee Jameson (Labour) born 1974, Torpoint . Educated at Torpoint Comprehensive School and the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside. Executive in an online political monitoring company.Stephen Gilbert (Liberal Democrat) born 1976, Truro. Educated at Fowey Community School and the University of Wales, Aberystwyth. Consultant to a public relations firm. Former Restormel borough councillor. Haringey councillor from 2002-2006
Clive Medway (UKIP) Born 1950. Educated at Longslade Upper School and Leicester University. Former police inspector, now self employed.
James Fitton (BNP)
Dick Cole (Mebyon Kernow) Archaelogist. Restormel borough councillor since 1999. Leader of Mebyon Kernow.2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 90960
Male: 48.8%
Female: 51.3%
Under 18: 21.3%
Over 60: 25.3%
Born outside UK: 3.4%
White: 98.9%
Black: 0.2%
Asian: 0.2%
Mixed: 0.5%
Other: 0.2%
Christian: 75.3%
Full time students: 2%
Graduates 16-74: 12%
No Qualifications 16-74: 31.9%
Owner-Occupied: 73.9%
Social Housing: 9.8% (Council: 2.9%, Housing Ass.: 6.9%)
Privately Rented: 12.5%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 18.7%
Might explain why John Gummer’s position in Suffolk Coastal wasn’t seriously threatened in 1997.
‘I was surprised that Felixtowe is actually quite a nice place.’
I’m even more surprised to hear that – I always imagined it to be a dump – like neighbouring Harwich
Certainly not.
It has a very genteel feel to it…..its town centre is very nice and well furnished with thriving shops and restaurants. The beaches are nice.
As I said, it is probaqbly because the thriving container port pumps a lot of money into the town.
I also think that, compared to other south coast resorts, Eastbourne isn’t all that bad, although while not rundown it is very boring.
Lytham is also in that category. Very affulent with an average age of about 120.
Cornwall is probably one area where the LDs would have preferred the boundary changes to have gone ahead because it would most likely have meant the re-creation of the Truro & St Austell seat which was nicely drawn for the party in contrast to Truro & Falmouth.
Isn’t Jaywick on the sea? If so, it surely deserves a mention. I also recall noting that one ward in the south of Great Yarmouth was higher on the deprivation index than any ward in London though I’m not sure whether that’s still the case. Whitby is an exceptionally pleasant place though it does have some council estates & has often been known to elect the odd Labour councillor. My parents have recently been to Scarborough & have told me it is far from being a grotty place. Lytham is indeed affluent as is St Annes in the same mini-conurbation. I should have thought any list of the grottiest seaside resorts ought to include Rhyl though. Also, Edinburgh’s seaside resort area of Portobello is surprisingly grotty considering the splendour of much of that city.
You’re right, Scarborough isn’t that bad.
It was Jimmy Savile’s favourite place.
The seaside towns in Wirral West are quite nice.
They are, I believe, but do they count as seaside resorts? Or are they just residential? (I haven’t been there so I have to ask.)
Whitby and Scarbrough are nice and I believe Bridlington and Filey too.
Hornsea and Withernsea I think might have problems but they’re really to far to go and have a look.
Skegness is downmarket but still successful, Cleethorpes is just downmarket.
Weymouth has improved a bit in recent years but remains pretty tacky and run down in many places
I recently went to North Wales on holiday and visited Rhyl I agree that it is one of the most horrendous and depressing towns I have ever seen in the UK, I couldn’t wait to leave.
We also went to Llandudno, which was absolutely at the other end of the scale looks-wise and is easily one of the most beautiful towns I’ve been to in Britain, the setting, the perfectly preserved Victorian architecture on the promenade and a lovely,curved boulevard for shopping just behind the front. Yet, it also felt quite chavvy, with lots of downmarket visitors, who belie the grandeur of the place. It’s a shame as both my wife and I said that if it were within an hour’s reach of London it would easily be one of the most expensive and sought-after towns in the UK.
Just shows what geographical location means for a town I suppose.
Back on topic for a bit. A b/e on St. Awful (Austell) TC saw an LD gain, which prima facie isn’t much in terms of Westminster sees the party steady after a loss and a defection. Stephen Gilbert is a very local boy and quite likeable, which may or may not help. However we are still over 2 years from a GE so the narrative can and will change.
Prediction for 2015-
Tory- 19, 940 (42.6%, +2.6%)
Gilbert (Lib Dem)- 16, 366 (35.0%, -7.7%)
Labour- 6, 426 (13.7%, +6.5%)
Others- 3, 988 (8.5%, -1.6%)
Con gain.
Turnout- 46, 720.
Majority- 3, 574 (7.6%)
Swing- +5.15% From Lib Dem to Con.
The Conservative candidate here is Stephen Double