BBC Profile:
From 1951 to 1989 Sir Raymond Gower was the Conservative MP here. Labour's John Smith gained the seat at a by-election in 1989 caused by Sir Raymond's death, only to lose it again to the Tories at the 1992 general election by 19 votes. Labour regained it five years later when Smith won with a majority of 10,532.
In 2001 the Conservatives reduced the majority to within 5,000 votes and in 2005 the Tory National Assembly for Wales member Alun Cairns achieved a 3.3% swing to further reduce the Labour majority to 1,808.

At this election the St Brides Major and the part of the Llandow/Ewenny ward that were in Bridgend are moved into this constituency. The Sully electoral division is transferred into Cardiff South and Penarth. To find out what might have happened had this boundary change been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

This constituency is a scenic area to the west of Cardiff in South Wales.

Based around the town of Barry, many of the residential areas in the Vale of Glamorgan are home to Cardiff's wealthier commuters. Barry port continues to be important to the local economy, with tourism and agriculture being other key sectors. Barry Island Pleasure Park closed in August 2009 but has recently reopened.

Cardiff International, a fast growing airport, is close to the coast, west of Barry.

Transport infrastructure is good. The M4 runs along the northern boundary.

A new defence training academy will be e

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BBC Profile:
From 1951 to 1989 Sir Raymond Gower was the Conservative MP here. Labour's John Smith gained the seat at a by-election in 1989 caused by Sir Raymond's death, only to lose it again to the Tories at the 1992 general election by 19 votes. Labour regained it five years later when Smith won with a majority of 10,532.
In 2001 the Conservatives reduced the majority to within 5,000 votes and in 2005 the Tory National Assembly for Wales member Alun Cairns achieved a 3.3% swing to further reduce the Labour majority to 1,808.

At this election the St Brides Major and the part of the Llandow/Ewenny ward that were in Bridgend are moved into this constituency. The Sully electoral division is transferred into Cardiff South and Penarth. To find out what might have happened had this boundary change been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

This constituency is a scenic area to the west of Cardiff in South Wales.

Based around the town of Barry, many of the residential areas in the Vale of Glamorgan are home to Cardiff's wealthier commuters. Barry port continues to be important to the local economy, with tourism and agriculture being other key sectors. Barry Island Pleasure Park closed in August 2009 but has recently reopened.

Cardiff International, a fast growing airport, is close to the coast, west of Barry.

Transport infrastructure is good. The M4 runs along the northern boundary.

A new defence training academy will be established at St Athan, creating 5,000 jobs and an estimated 60m annual boost for the local economy. The overall investment in the area is estimated at 16bn and makes it the largest single investment project in Wales. It is due to have its first intake in 2012 and will be fully operational by 2017.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
Lab 19,068 (40.79%)
C 17,494 (37.42%)
LD 6,171 (13.20%)
PC 2,426 (5.19%)
UKIP 822 (1.76%)
Others 767 (1.64%)

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