BBC Profile:
Labour held the seat from 1945 to 1970, when Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler took it for the Conservatives. In 1981 he became the only MP to defect from the Conservatives to the Social Democrats. His Conservative replacement, Henry Bellingham, won the seat with a majority of 3,147 (5.9%) despite a 17.5% swing to the Social Democrats in 1983.
Bellingham lost the seat in 1997 on a swing of 2.3% to the Labour candidate George Turner. However, Bellingham returned as MP for North West Norfolk in 2001, with a 3,500 majority. In the 2005 general election he polled more than 50%.
At the election, boundary changes mean there was no gain of wards to the constituency. However, North West Norfolk did lose four of its rural wards to South West Norfolk. 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 port town of King's Lynn serves as the economic hub of North West Norfolk. Hunstanton and Castle Rising bring in income with their tourist and wildlife attractions.
Arable farming forms the basis of North West Norfolk's economy. It is estimated that around a fifth of the population is employed in associated manufacturing industries. Major companies in the area include Porvair International Ltd, Bespak Plc, and Mars Incorporated.
Light engineering and electronics also make a significant contribution to the local economy. North West Norfolk houses a broad base of light
[More...]BBC Profile:
Labour held the seat from 1945 to 1970, when Christopher Brocklebank-Fowler took it for the Conservatives. In 1981 he became the only MP to defect from the Conservatives to the Social Democrats. His Conservative replacement, Henry Bellingham, won the seat with a majority of 3,147 (5.9%) despite a 17.5% swing to the Social Democrats in 1983.
Bellingham lost the seat in 1997 on a swing of 2.3% to the Labour candidate George Turner. However, Bellingham returned as MP for North West Norfolk in 2001, with a 3,500 majority. In the 2005 general election he polled more than 50%.
At the election, boundary changes mean there was no gain of wards to the constituency. However, North West Norfolk did lose four of its rural wards to South West Norfolk. 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 port town of King's Lynn serves as the economic hub of North West Norfolk. Hunstanton and Castle Rising bring in income with their tourist and wildlife attractions.
Arable farming forms the basis of North West Norfolk's economy. It is estimated that around a fifth of the population is employed in associated manufacturing industries. Major companies in the area include Porvair International Ltd, Bespak Plc, and Mars Incorporated.
Light engineering and electronics also make a significant contribution to the local economy. North West Norfolk houses a broad base of light and general engineering firms, including precision engineers and food-grade stainless steel and aluminium fabricators. Local companies including Hansatech and Maxview supply components to the telecommunications, automotive and computer industries.
Local authorities are fostering the tourist industry. The seaside town of Hunstanton attracts over one million people every year. Historical sites at Castle Rising and in King's Lynn are popular tourist attractions, as is the Queen's residence at Sandringham.
Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
C 22,920 (49.94%)
Lab 14,503 (31.60%)
LD 6,780 (14.77%)
UKIP 1,694 (3.69%)
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