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UK Parliament - Birmingham Edgbaston

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United Kingdom > England > West Midlands > West Midlands > Birmingham Edgbaston

Office

Parliament

Type

General Election

Filing Deadline

April 19, 2005 - 12:00pm

Polls Open

May 05, 2005 - 01:00am

Polls Close

May 05, 2005 - 05:00pm

Term Start

May 17, 2005 - 12:00pm

Term End

May 17, 2010 - 11:00am

Contributor

Wishful Thinking

Last Modified

Wishful Thinking May 28, 2005 05:03pm

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

Edgbaston was the first gain for new Labour on election night 1997 in Gisela Stuart, and indicated that this more favoured western side of the city could be won by a re-branded Labour Party in the way that previous left-wing variants had not been able to achieve. Conservative populist stalwart, Dame Jill Knight, had held Edgbaston since 1966: the party had held it since 1922. Edgbaston is home to some of Birmingham's most noted parks, gardens and golf courses. It includes the University, the Test match cricket ground and the now-closed BBC Pebble Mill studios. Its leafy suburbs house middle-class and young professionals - many of whom work in the media or academia. There are, however, also some areas of deprivation and social exclusion. Drug abuse is a major issue which Gisela Stuart was highlighting even before she was given ministerial responsibility for it. Edgbaston is also where Birmingham's red light districts are situated. The contrasting picture here might help to explain how Labour won this seat in 1997 and how Gisela Stuart managed to sustain her numerical majority (and increase it in percentage terms) four years later. As far as local council voting goes, Bartley Green ward - one of the most deprived 10% in the country - is noted for its wild electoral swings: it tends to vote Labour but in 2000, for example, was 69% Conservative. Edgbaston and Harborne wards are Conservative leaning; only Quinton is solidly for Labour.