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UK Parliament - Isle of Wight

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United Kingdom > England > South East > South East > Isle of Wight

Office

Parliament

Type

General Election

Filing Deadline

00, 0000 - 06:00pm

Polls Open

May 06, 2010 - 01:00am

Polls Close

May 06, 2010 - 04:00pm

Term Start

May 17, 2010 - 12:00pm

Term End

May 17, 2015 - 12:00pm

Contributor

Ralphie

Last Modified

RBH May 10, 2010 11:44pm

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

BBC Profile:
The seat has a history of being closely contested and since the 1970s has been traded between the Liberals/Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. The Liberals took the seat in 1974, the Conservatives won it back in 1987 and in 1997 it reverted to the Liberal Democrats. They held on for only four years until the Conservatives won back the seat in 2001. The Conservatives consolidated their position in 2005, taking almost 50% of the votes cast. They now have a majority of 12,978.

There are no boundary changes affecting this seat.

The Island boasts a diverse geographical landscape which attracts tourists by the thousands. The Island is also well known for its prison, HMP Isle of Wight, as well as the Cowes week regatta.

The Island is predominantly rural inland. Nearly half of its total area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Most people live in the coastal towns and resorts, which include Newport, Cowes, Ryde, Ventnor, Sandown and Shanklin.

The main industries are tourism, agriculture, boat building and marine engineering. Agriculture includes sheep and dairy farming, and arable crops. Major employers include AMS (formerly BAE), GKN, the county council, and the health authority.

Cowes Week yacht regatta is held every August, although the Island is keen to offer far more to tourists than yachting and views.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
No Boundary Changes