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UK Parliament - Halton

RACE DETAILS

Parents

> United Kingdom > England > North West > North West > Halton

Office

Parliament

Honorific

Member of Parliament - Abbr: MP

Type

General Election

Filing Deadline

April 19, 2005 - 12:00pm Central

Polls Open

May 05, 2005 - 01:00am Central

Polls Close

May 05, 2005 - 05:00pm Central

Term Start

May 17, 2005 - 12:00pm

Term End

May 17, 2010 - 11:00am

Contributor

Wishful Thinking

Last Modified

Wishful Thinking June 14, 2005 07:52pm

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

Halton straddles the River Mersey and principally comprises the two towns of Runcorn and Widnes which face each other across the river and are linked by a major road bridge. The seat was created in 1983, but links between Widnes and Runcorn stretch back nearly 900 years to the early 12th Century when land on both sides of the river formed part of the Halton Barony. Halton is an urban, industrial area whose main businesses are in chemicals, food processing, clothing, metal products and furniture manufacturing. Runcorn started out as a canal port in the 18th Century, but was designated a New Town in 1964, catering for the overspill from Liverpool. It has recently undergone redevelopment, and has started to attract many people from all over the north-west to the new town centre shopping complex. Brewing also takes place in Runcorn now, while Widnes has branched out into engineering and cement trades. Before the unification of the seats as Halton, Labour invariably won Widnes and the Tories could usually expect to win Runcorn. However, any thoughts that the combined seat might accordingly be a marginal have been proved to be unfounded. Labour has won every poll since 1983. In the last two elections Derek Twigg has scored majorities of more than 50%.