Wiltshire North
2010 Results:
Conservative: 25114 (51.57%)
Labour: 3239 (6.65%)
Liberal Democrat: 17631 (36.2%)
UKIP: 1908 (3.92%)
Green: 599 (1.23%)
Independent: 208 (0.43%)
Majority: 7483 (15.37%)
Notional 2005 Results:
Conservative: 22412 (51.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 14858 (33.9%)
Labour: 5025 (11.5%)
Other: 1563 (3.6%)
Majority: 7554 (17.2%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 26282 (46.9%)
Labour: 6794 (12.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 20979 (37.4%)
UKIP: 1428 (2.5%)
Other: 578 (1%)
Majority: 5303 (9.5%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 24090 (45.5%)
Labour: 7556 (14.3%)
Liberal Democrat: 20212 (38.2%)
UKIP: 1090 (2.1%)
Majority: 3878 (7.3%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 25390 (43.8%)
Labour: 8261 (14.2%)
Liberal Democrat: 21915 (37.8%)
Referendum: 1774 (3.1%)
Other: 673 (1.2%)
Majority: 3475 (6%)
Boundary changes: North Wiltshire undergoes major changes, losing the main town in the old constituency, Chippenham, which forms the core of a new constituency, while gaining Calne and Cricklade.
Profile: A mainly rural seat on the edge of the Cotswolds. The main town is Calne, once dominated by the Pork industry, but now a rapidly growing town based around light industry and IT. Other towns include Cricklade, Wootton Bassett and Malmsbury, home to Dyson – although since 2002 their manufacturing division has been moved to Malaysia leaving their research and development in Malmesbury.
Wiltshire North is normally considered to be a safe Conservative seat, however in 2007 the sitting Conservative MP James Gray narrowly avoiding being deselected after it was revealed he had an affair while his wife was suffering from breast cancer. During the deselection attempt there were suggestions from Gray`s opponents that he would face an independent challenger if he managed to be re-selected. Other parties will be hoping that Gray`s personal life has an impact on his vote at the next election.
Current MP: James Gray(Conservative) born 1954, Glasgow. Educated at Glasgow High and the University of Glasgow. Former city broker, special advisor to Michael Howard and John Gummer and director of a public affairs consultancy. First elected as MP for Wiltshire North in 1997. Contested Ross, Cromarty & Skye in 1992. Opposition whip from 2000-2001. Shadow Minister for Defence from 2001-2002, Shadow minister for the countryside from 2002 to 2005 and very briefly Shadow secretary of state for Scotland (more information at They work for you)
James Gray(Conservative) born 1954, Glasgow. Educated at Glasgow High and the University of Glasgow. Former city broker, special advisor to Michael Howard and John Gummer and director of a public affairs consultancy. First elected as MP for Wiltshire North in 1997. Contested Ross, Cromarty & Skye in 1992. Opposition whip from 2000-2001. Shadow Minister for Defence from 2001-2002, Shadow minister for the countryside from 2002 to 2005 and very briefly Shadow secretary of state for Scotland (more information at They work for you)Jason Hughes (Labour) Mike Evemy (Liberal Democrat) Market communications controller for the Nationwide Building Society. Swindon Borough councillor since 1992, Liberal Democrat group leader between 1994-2004. Contested Swindon North 1997 & 2005.Phil Chamberlain (Green)Charles Bennett (UKIP) Born 1958, Oxford. Educated at Ampleforth and SOAS. Former army officer and police inspector.Philip Allnatt (Independent)2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 81085
Male: 49.7%
Female: 50.3%
Under 18: 23.3%
Over 60: 19.5%
Born outside UK: 5.7%
White: 98.5%
Black: 0.2%
Asian: 0.3%
Mixed: 0.6%
Other: 0.4%
Christian: 77%
Full time students: 1.8%
Graduates 16-74: 23.1%
No Qualifications 16-74: 22.1%
Owner-Occupied: 75.5%
Social Housing: 11.2% (Council: 0.9%, Housing Ass.: 10.3%)
Privately Rented: 7%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 4.9%
CON HOLD
Despite James Gray’s expenses problems, there was a tiny swing to the Conservatives from the LDs in this seat.
That’s according to the official notional figures from Rallings & Thrasher.
There was a small swing to the LDs using the UKPR figures.