Our Campaigns - Race Detail Page



New User Account

"A collaborative political resource."

UK Parliament - Westmorland & Lonsdale

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United Kingdom > England > North West > North West > Westmorland & Lonsdale

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

IndyGeorgia March 17, 2021 02:49pm

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

The former county of Westmorland was a constituency in its own right until 1974 when it became part of the new county of Cumbria. It took in parts of Lonsdale from Lancashire and Sebergh from Yorkshire by 1983 and, having lost 4,500 voters to Penrith and the Border in 1995, took on its present incarnation. This is a largely rural seat containing some famous areas of the Lake District, including Windermere and Coniston Water, the scene of Donald Campbell's ill-fated water speed record attempt in Bluebird in 1967. It also includes the more rugged landscapes of parts of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Grizedale Forest. Tourism is paramount, boosted by the literary connections of Wordsworth, Coleridge and Beatrix Potter. Sheep farming is the largest occupation but there is some light industry in Kendal, the largest town - textiles, shoes and the famous mint cake. The constituency has the third highest proportion of workers in the hotel and catering industry in the country. More than 30% of households are occupied by pensioners. All this makes for an area loyal to the Conservatives since 1918 - even in 1945 and 1966 more than 50% of voters supported the party. Former agriculture minister Michael Jopling held this seat from 1979 until 1997, when current shadow education secretary, Tim Collins won it. But in local terms, the Liberal Democrats are the largest party on South Lakeland District Council and can count on support spread throughout the constituency. Over the last two general elections the Lib Dems have managed to increase their share of the vote by 6% on each occasion. Mr Collins holds the seat with a 3,147 majority.