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> United Kingdom > England > North East > North East
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| Alternate Names | Durham |
| Established | January 01, 1678 |
| Disbanded | Still Active |
| Contributor | RP |
| Last Modified | RBH May 26, 2021 07:15pm |
| Description |
Like nearby Bishop Auckland, the City of Durham seat has been held by Labour since 1935. Its boundaries are the same as with the local government authority of the same name. Within its borders lies the ancient city itself, with its cathedral (voted Britain's best-loved building by the Today programme in 2001) and the old university. Almost 15% of workers are employed in the education sector and 17% of people are full-time students. Durham is also a commuter base for Newcastle. The city was also the first in the country to introduce a congestion charge - in 2002 - albeit within a small central area, preceding London's by some four months. Much of Labour's support comes from the outlying villages like Bearpark, Brandon, Esh Winning and Ushaw Moor - all of which make up more than half the electorate. These have remained loyal to the party even after the closure of the mines around which they grew up. Durham still holds the annual miners' gala which, among other things, celebrates the link between the industry and the Labour movement. Nonetheless, the Liberal Democrats are gaining in strength here. The SDP came within 2,000 votes of winning the parliamentary seat in 1983, though it was only at the last General Election that the Lib Dems moved back into second place. In the City elections of 2003 the Lib Dems gained control of the council with a complete turnaround from the previous 32 Labour: 13 Lib Dem. It is now 30 Lib Dem: 17 Labour. In the county council elections held on the same day as the last General Election, the Lib Dems won four seats in the city and suburbs, polling a much better share (36%) than they did in the general (24%). Former head teacher, Labour's Gerry Steinberg, has held this seat since 1987. He is standing down this time: his successor as candidate is Roberta Blackman-Woods.
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