Sittingbourne and Sheppey
Notional 2005 Results:
Conservative: 18060 (41.6%)
Labour: 17978 (41.5%)
Liberal Democrat: 5636 (13%)
Other: 1694 (3.9%)
Majority: 82 (0.2%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 16972 (41.6%)
Labour: 17051 (41.8%)
Liberal Democrat: 5183 (12.7%)
UKIP: 926 (2.3%)
Other: 671 (1.6%)
Majority: 79 (0.2%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 13831 (36.5%)
Labour: 17340 (45.8%)
Liberal Democrat: 5353 (14.1%)
UKIP: 661 (1.7%)
Other: 673 (1.8%)
Majority: 3509 (9.3%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 16794 (36.4%)
Labour: 18723 (40.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 8447 (18.3%)
Referendum: 1082 (2.3%)
Other: 1116 (2.4%)
Majority: 1929 (4.2%)
Boundary changes: Gains most of Teynham and Lynstead ward.
Profile: A north Kent seat, one of the string of ultra-marginals there, this covers Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey. Sheppey is divided from the mainland by the Swale (after which the local authority is named), though it is accessible by bridge, a new four lane bridge linking it to the mainland was opened in 2006. Sheppey itself is largely marshland (there are three prisons in the isolation of the marshes) and nature reserves for birdlife. Along the northern coast are a string of villages like Minster, Warden and Leysdown-on-Sea, with popular beaches. To the west the island is more industrial Sheerness, a major commerical port and the main route for imported cars coming into the UK.
The other, more populus, part of the seat consists of Sittingbourne.and surrounding villages like Newington, Borden, Bapchild, Teynham, Iwade and Milton Regis, an area of agriculture and commuters that tends to be more Conservative than Labour voting Sheerness.
In 2005 this was one of the most marginal seats in the country, held by Labour`s Derek Wyatt by only 79 votes. The boundary changes make it notionally a Conservative seat next time round, but it remains a super-marginal amongst many in this county.
Current MP: Derek Wyatt(Labour) born 1949, London. Educated at Westcliff County High and Exeter University. Former international rugby player, playing for Barbarians and England. Worked in publishing and television prior to his election. Former Haringey councillor. First elected as MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey in 1997. PPS to Margaret Hodge since 2007. Will stand down at the next election (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: Gordon Henderson (Conservative) Works as operations manager to a gift manufacturer and has two retail shops in Sheerness. Former Swale District and Kent County Councillor. Contested Luton South 2001, Sittingbourne & Sheppey 2005.
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 97067
Male: 49.6%
Female: 50.4%
Under 18: 24.4%
Over 60: 19.6%
Born outside UK: 3.6%
White: 98%
Black: 0.4%
Asian: 0.7%
Mixed: 0.7%
Other: 0.3%
Christian: 75.8%
Full time students: 1.8%
Graduates 16-74: 10%
No Qualifications 16-74: 35.5%
Owner-Occupied: 74.4%
Social Housing: 15% (Council: 1.3%, Housing Ass.: 13.7%)
Privately Rented: 8.3%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 8.3%
Yes – thanks – didn’t see that one,
that’s a disappointing result for them, and a good one for the Conservatives.
Actually, looking at some of the divisions in North Kent, particularly Dartford and Gravesham, the English Democrats attracted a lot of votes.
I wonder whether this was genuine, or some problem with the ballot paper (apologies if it is genuine though).
Joe, I think it’s genuine.
Some parts of Kent on the outskirts of London have a “patriotic” and economically disaffected vote. And if you look at it, the English Democrats got votes that could have gone to certain other parties that were not in general standing.
Personally, I think Kent has a raw deal. We get denied effective political bodies even though Kent has as many people, and even now as much money, as places like Luxemburg. and other smaller EU states. We no longer even have our own MEPs. And Westminster seems to have forgotten that Kent made a separate accomodation with William the Bastard in 1066: we were not defeated.. It would be interesting to speculate how well an Invicta Party could do in the long-term, although its support would probably be mainly from East of the Medway.
The English Democrats came second in votes within the Dartford parliamentary seat with 21.5% of the vote beating Labour into third place. They were also third ahead of Labour in Sevenoaks (13.6%) and in Gravesham ahead of the LDs and greens (12.2%). They contested all divisions in these three districts and also in Tonbridge & Malling where they did not do quite so well
It is reported that this seat is likely to be counting on the Friday morning. A disappointment for a seat that is likely to change parties.
Derek Wyatt is quoted in my local paper (admittedly the Canterbury edition) as saying that the votes should be counted immediately. He is quite right: it prevents any possibility of meddling.
Perhaps I might add something else. I heard, at a totally non-political event recently, people talking about meeting in the Labour Club here. It is worth observing that in these dire times for Labour that seats that have active Labour Clubs may save some votes and organisation necessary if they are ever to come back electorally. But the effect is likely to be local to the area around the club, not the whole consitituency.