BBC Profile:
This area has been represented by some famous figures in the Labour movement. Arthur Henderson, who won the former seat of Barnard Castle in a 1903 by-election, later served three short terms as Labour Party leader. Hugh Dalton, future Chancellor of the Exchequer, won the seat for Labour in 1929, lost in 1931 and finally regained it in 1935. The seat has been held by Labour ever since.

Helen Goodman is the current MP, with a majority of just over 10,000. In the 2005 general election, the Liberal Democrats narrowly took second place ahead of the Conservatives.

Minor boundary changes bring in the part of the Bishop Auckland Town ward previously in North West Durham. To find out what might have happened had this boundary change been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

Bishop Auckland stretches from former Durham coalfield towns in the east to the Pennines in the west, combining highly industrialised areas with historic towns and open countryside.

The east of the constituency, dominated by the coalfield and the largely working-class towns of Bishop Auckland, Shildon and Spennymoor, was badly affected by the collapse of the Durham coal industry in the 1950s and 60s. The main industry in rural areas is farming but, with agriculture in decline, many farms are diversifying to take advantage of growing tourism.

The main attractions include the historic town of Barnard Castle, the palace of the Bishops of Durham at B

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BBC Profile:
This area has been represented by some famous figures in the Labour movement. Arthur Henderson, who won the former seat of Barnard Castle in a 1903 by-election, later served three short terms as Labour Party leader. Hugh Dalton, future Chancellor of the Exchequer, won the seat for Labour in 1929, lost in 1931 and finally regained it in 1935. The seat has been held by Labour ever since.

Helen Goodman is the current MP, with a majority of just over 10,000. In the 2005 general election, the Liberal Democrats narrowly took second place ahead of the Conservatives.

Minor boundary changes bring in the part of the Bishop Auckland Town ward previously in North West Durham. To find out what might have happened had this boundary change been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

Bishop Auckland stretches from former Durham coalfield towns in the east to the Pennines in the west, combining highly industrialised areas with historic towns and open countryside.

The east of the constituency, dominated by the coalfield and the largely working-class towns of Bishop Auckland, Shildon and Spennymoor, was badly affected by the collapse of the Durham coal industry in the 1950s and 60s. The main industry in rural areas is farming but, with agriculture in decline, many farms are diversifying to take advantage of growing tourism.

The main attractions include the historic town of Barnard Castle, the palace of the Bishops of Durham at Bishop Auckland, Raby Castle, Greta Bridge, and the Bowes Museum.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
Lab 19,065 (50.00%)
LD 9,018 (23.65%)
C 8,736 (22.91%)
UKIP 1,309 (3.43%)

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