BBC Profile:
The seat has swung in the post-war period from Labour to the Conservatives and back again. After 18 years of Tory representation, and following boundary changes which removed a number of suburbs, Labour took the seat back in 1997, when Gillian Merron - a first-time New Labour candidate - won with a swing of 11% and a majority of more than 11,000. There was a tiny swing back to the Tories in 2001, and again in 2005. After the 2005 general election, Labour was left with a 12.5% (4,614 vote) majority.

At the election, boundary changes will split the City of York constituency, making Lincoln the oldest constituency in continuous existence in the country, having been established in 1265. In Lincoln, part-ward Heighington and Washingborough moves to Sleaford and North Hykeham, while Skellingthorpe and part-ward Bracebridge Heath and Waddington will move into this seat from Sleaford. 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.

Around its ancient cathedral and castle, Lincoln was historically an industrial city but the economy is now based mainly on public administration, commerce, arable farming, and tourism. Industry is represented by Rustons (now Siemens).

Many of Lincoln's industrial giants have long ceased production in the city, leaving large empty industrial warehouse-like buildings.

More recently, these buildings have become multi-occupant units, with

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BBC Profile:
The seat has swung in the post-war period from Labour to the Conservatives and back again. After 18 years of Tory representation, and following boundary changes which removed a number of suburbs, Labour took the seat back in 1997, when Gillian Merron - a first-time New Labour candidate - won with a swing of 11% and a majority of more than 11,000. There was a tiny swing back to the Tories in 2001, and again in 2005. After the 2005 general election, Labour was left with a 12.5% (4,614 vote) majority.

At the election, boundary changes will split the City of York constituency, making Lincoln the oldest constituency in continuous existence in the country, having been established in 1265. In Lincoln, part-ward Heighington and Washingborough moves to Sleaford and North Hykeham, while Skellingthorpe and part-ward Bracebridge Heath and Waddington will move into this seat from Sleaford. 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.

Around its ancient cathedral and castle, Lincoln was historically an industrial city but the economy is now based mainly on public administration, commerce, arable farming, and tourism. Industry is represented by Rustons (now Siemens).

Many of Lincoln's industrial giants have long ceased production in the city, leaving large empty industrial warehouse-like buildings.

More recently, these buildings have become multi-occupant units, with the likes of Lincs FM radio station taking up space. Like many other cities in Britain, Lincoln has developed a growing IT economy.

Transport and distribution are important in a city which is the focus of a large agricultural region.

The city's newest industry is higher education. Lincolnshire and Humberside University, the country's first purpose-built new university for 25 years opened its Lincoln campus in the city centre in 1996, and changed its name to Lincoln University in 2001. In addition, the North Lincolnshire College of Further Education and the award-winning Bishop Grosseteste College of Education contribute to the city now being a major academic community.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
Lab 17,563 (43.71%)
C 13,757 (34.24%)
LD 7,387 (18.38%)
UKIP 1,475 (3.67%)

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