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UK Parliament - Islwyn

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United Kingdom > Wales > Wales > Islwyn

Office

Type

General Election

Filing Deadline

00, 0000 - 12:00pm

Polls Open

May 07, 2015 - 01:00am

Polls Close

May 07, 2015 - 04:00pm

Term Start

May 08, 2015 - 12:00pm

Term End

June 08, 2017 - 11:00pm

Contributor

IndyGeorgia

Last Modified

IndyGeorgia April 19, 2017 10:22pm

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

BBC Constituency Profile:

Situated in the Gwent Valleys, Islwyn is a former coal mining area. There is also a strong rugby tradition built on clubs such as Newbridge and Cross Keys. The band Manic Street Preachers was formed at a school in Blackwood in 1986.

Islwyn's population in the last census was 75,408 - the 21st most populated of the 40 Welsh constituencies. Average weekly pay here is £470 - slightly lower than the all-Wales figure of £479.

Traditionally viewed as a safe Labour seat, Plaid Cymru's victory in the first Assembly election was a major shock. Labour has won the seat in subsequent Assembly polls. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock held the parliamentary seat from 1970, under its previous name of Bedwellty, until 1995. It has stayed in Labour hands and at the last election Chris Evans won with 49.2% of the vote, ahead of the Conservatives on 14%, Plaid Cymru 13%, Liberal Democrats 10.4% and the UKIP candidate was seventh with 2.7%.