BBC Profile:
The Conservatives had held this seat for 72 years, until the sitting MP, Ian Gow, was killed outside his constituency home by an IRA car bomb in July 1990. The Liberal Democrats won the subsequent by-election, but lost the seat at the 1992 general election when Nigel Waterson regained it for the Conservatives.

In 2005 Mr Waterson was returned with a reduced majority of 1,124.

At the election, boundary changes move the villages of East Dean and Friston to Lewes, in exchange for a fragment of Polegate North ward. 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.

The elegant seafront of this resort belies what is actually among the fastest-growing towns in the region. Also taking in villages such as Wannock and Willingdon, the constituency of Eastbourne includes the spectacular headland of Beachy Head.

The traditionally quiet and refined nature of Eastbourne attracts a significant number of retirees.

Numerous small to medium-sized firms are based in the district and Eastbourne has benefited from growth in the economy. Service industries constitute the largest sector, employing over 32,000 people in the area. A number of innovative and forward-looking manufacturing firms have chosen Eastbourne as their home, including the corporate printers Smith and Ouzman. The town is also home to Whiteline Windows, the South East's largest producer of windows and conse

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BBC Profile:
The Conservatives had held this seat for 72 years, until the sitting MP, Ian Gow, was killed outside his constituency home by an IRA car bomb in July 1990. The Liberal Democrats won the subsequent by-election, but lost the seat at the 1992 general election when Nigel Waterson regained it for the Conservatives.

In 2005 Mr Waterson was returned with a reduced majority of 1,124.

At the election, boundary changes move the villages of East Dean and Friston to Lewes, in exchange for a fragment of Polegate North ward. 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.

The elegant seafront of this resort belies what is actually among the fastest-growing towns in the region. Also taking in villages such as Wannock and Willingdon, the constituency of Eastbourne includes the spectacular headland of Beachy Head.

The traditionally quiet and refined nature of Eastbourne attracts a significant number of retirees.

Numerous small to medium-sized firms are based in the district and Eastbourne has benefited from growth in the economy. Service industries constitute the largest sector, employing over 32,000 people in the area. A number of innovative and forward-looking manufacturing firms have chosen Eastbourne as their home, including the corporate printers Smith and Ouzman. The town is also home to Whiteline Windows, the South East's largest producer of windows and conservatories.

The conference industry continues to thrive here, and in recent years the market for language tuition has grown exceptionally fast. An estimated 40,000 language students visit the town annually.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
C 20,594 (43.06%)
LD 19,922 (41.66%)
Lab 5,142 (10.75%)
UKIP 1,221 (2.55%)
Green 943 (1.97%)

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