St Ives
Notional 2005 Results:
Liberal Democrat: 21323 (50.1%)
Conservative: 11749 (27.6%)
Labour: 5775 (13.6%)
Other: 3677 (8.6%)
Majority: 9574 (22.5%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 13968 (27.7%)
Labour: 6583 (13.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 25577 (50.7%)
Green: 1738 (3.4%)
UKIP: 2551 (5.1%)
Majority: 11609 (23%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 15360 (31.2%)
Labour: 6567 (13.3%)
Liberal Democrat: 25413 (51.6%)
UKIP: 1926 (3.9%)
Majority: 10053 (20.4%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 16796 (31.2%)
Labour: 8184 (15.2%)
Liberal Democrat: 23966 (44.5%)
Referendum: 3714 (6.9%)
Other: 1241 (2.3%)
Majority: 7170 (13.3%)
Boundary changes:
Profile:
Outgoing MP: Andrew George(Liberal Democrat) born 1958, Cornwall. Educated at Helston Grammar and Sussex University. Former deputy director of Cornwall rural council. Contested St Ives 1992. First elected as MP for St Ives in 1997. Agriculture spokesman 1997-1999, social security spokesman 1999-2001, PPS to Charles Kennedy 2001-2002, Lib Dem Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary 2002-2005, Lib Dem Shadow secretary of state for International Development 2005-2007. A former member of Mebyon Kernow and reliable supporter of all things Cornish, he was the first MP to take the oath in Cornish (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
Derek Thomas (Conservative) born 1972. Development worker. Penwith district councillor.
Philippa Latimer (Labour) born 1983, Hertfordshire. Educated at the University of Sussex. Policy officer for the National House Building Council.Andrew George(Liberal Democrat) born 1958, Cornwall. Educated at Helston Grammar and Sussex University. Former deputy director of Cornwall rural council. Contested St Ives 1992. First elected as MP for St Ives in 1997. Agriculture spokesman 1997-1999, social security spokesman 1999-2001, PPS to Charles Kennedy 2001-2002, Lib Dem Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary 2002-2005, Lib Dem Shadow secretary of state for International Development 2005-2007. A former member of Mebyon Kernow and reliable supporter of all things Cornish, he was the first MP to take the oath in Cornish (more information at They work for you)
Tim Andrewes (Green) Born 1966, Southampton. Educated at Shrewsbury School and Oxford University. Rural transport advisor. South Shropshire councillor 1995-2001. Contested Oxford and Buckinghamshire 1989 European election, Ludlow 1997.
Mick Faulkner (UKIP) Educated at Eastfields School. Builder and retired fisherman. Contested St Ives 1997 for the Referendum party, 2001, 2005 for UKIP. Contested South West region in European elections in 1999, 2004.
Simon Reed (Mebyon Kernow) Former Penwith councillor for the Liberal Democrats.
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 82305
Male: 48.3%
Female: 51.7%
Under 18: 20.3%
Over 60: 27.1%
Born outside UK: 3.5%
White: 99%
Asian: 0.2%
Mixed: 0.5%
Other: 0.2%
Christian: 73.2%
Full time students: 1.9%
Graduates 16-74: 16.8%
No Qualifications 16-74: 27.8%
Owner-Occupied: 69.4%
Social Housing: 12.5% (Council: 2%, Housing Ass.: 10.5%)
Privately Rented: 12.9%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 23.1%
What David excluded from his post is the performance of Labour as compared with both UKIP and the Greens. Labour came fifth behind both parties, which when one considers that the Greens contested less wards than Labour is an incredibly poor performance. Whilst I myself am not from this area, I know a number of people from this area and the Lib Dem performance was to be expected.
As Tim points out, personalities play more of a role in deciding ones vote here, than the rest of Cornwall. This is the key reason for Mr George’s strong electoral performance. The Conservatives will give a good fight, encouraged by the County results, and will increase their vote but I do not think they will win.
The Greens have selected Tracy Stanton here
Strangely Nick Clegg is going to St Albans instead of St Ives on thursday (27th). I think he has got the two seats mixed up as Andrew George is from St Ives and as a Liberal Democrat MP, surely Nick Clegg should be going to defend his MPs conduct rather than going to a Tory held seat in a mischevious mood that will surely backfire given Rennard and the £2.4 Million Michael Brown donation.
I think Clegg has a Tory complex as he spends most of his time trying to attack them! Interestingly what does this say to the voters in a LD/Tory marginal where they want Labour to be out?
This is the party who mixed up Barnstaple with Dunstable.
On St Ives, I still think (earlier prediction), Lib Dem hold with swing to Tories, as most likely. Whether Tories can make it all the way here, possible perhaps, but not so sure.
This is the party who mixed up Barnstaple with Dunstable. – ?
I don’t understand, Joe – not heard that one?
On St Ives, I still think (earlier prediction), Lib Dem hold with swing to Tories, as most likely.
It is difficult to make any other prediction than this, with the national swing still from LD to Tory. Although the MP had publicity regarding his flat during the expenses furore, most people from what I hear, think the criticism was misplaced, so I don’t think he will lose any substantial vote because of it.
Hi all, I was wondering what you all thought of the possible impact of the by-election result on the campaign here in Cornwall?
It seems pretty bad for the LIb Dems if they are now set to go into the general election with such a poor last result. 474 votes. I think it may concern voters here and push the race into a two way fight between Labour and Conservative.
Clearly, as the Labour candidate here I will be even more interested than most to see what happens.
Which by-election result?
This constituency should be renamed ‘Penzance and St Ives’.
Also Cornwall North should become ‘Bodmin and Launceston’ and Cornwall South-East should become ‘Liskeard and Saltash’.
All six Conish constituencies would have the same name format then.
The latest ICM Poll shows the Tory lead narrowing to 9%. This is not strong enough to win this seat, in any circumstances. Circumstances are important in winning the Hearts and minds of an electorate who has not voted in a Tory MP for over 10 years.
The press is full of a headline ‘Tories accused of “Duping Charity Choir”. http://www.thisiscornwall .co.uk 14/12/09, into raising money for party funds. This has been a close shave as it is illegal for a charity to raise money for such purposes. The organiser has since left cornwall and gone to London. The Leader of Helston Choir who has since received costs for the choirs expenses, has said ” you have caused distress and discredited your party locally.”
This incident has recently followed another hi-jacking of a fundraising event on the Lizard, where the local tory team opened a back garden which faced a charitable Firework display. The tories charged £8 with no fireworks, whilst the event charged £4 with fireworks.
To win a seat a party need slick and honest campaigning and a good agent directing events. St Ives conservatives need to join the Cornwall Conservative Association if they wish to make any headway.
Richard – “St Ives and Scilly”, surely?
Penwith and Scilly…..er..perhaps not.
On a non political note, the 19th December is the anniversary of the Penlee lifeboat disaster, when 8 men from Mousehole aboard the Soloman Browne set out to rescue the crew of the Union Star in Hurricance conditions. The attempt was not successful and both boats were lost with all hands. The original lifeboat station at Penlee point stands empty as testament to these brave volunteers – a reminder that the RNLI is funded through voluntary donations.
The accident had enormous repercussions for the county and this very close knit community, and to steer (pardon the pun) it back to politics maybe one reason why there is a strong independant streak which people from outside take as parochialism. It is a hard life when the main primary industries are fishing and farming, and the fall back of tourism is badly paid and seasonal.