BBC Profile:
The seat was re-created in 1983 and was won initially by Labour's Derek Fatchett with a majority of more than 8,000 over the second-placed SDP/Liberal Alliance.

By 1997, his majority had grown to 20,689.

Mr Fatchett died in 1999 and in the subsequent by-election Hilary Benn was returned with a much reduced majority of 2,293. Turnout had been 19.9% - the lowest in a peace-time by-election since 1918.

In 2005, turnout was 46.4% and, despite a swing to the Liberal Democrats, Mr Benn's majority stood at 11,866.

Boundary changes to Leeds Central are numerous, with part-wards being gained and lost from and to the other Leeds constituencies. The most significant changes are a large part of Middleton Park coming in from Morley and Rothwell, and the Halton Moor area of Temple Newsam moving to Leeds East. To find out what might have happened had these changes been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

Leeds Central includes the financial quarter of the city, but residents of the constituency have little share in its prosperity. High incomes are rare here, and the majority of families are housed in council or small terraced accommodation. Many of the back-to-back terraces are gone, replaced by more modern and high-rise housing.

There is a substantial population of single young people, partly reflecting the presence of the city's two universities.

Many residents work in shops and bars in the city centre and at the

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BBC Profile:
The seat was re-created in 1983 and was won initially by Labour's Derek Fatchett with a majority of more than 8,000 over the second-placed SDP/Liberal Alliance.

By 1997, his majority had grown to 20,689.

Mr Fatchett died in 1999 and in the subsequent by-election Hilary Benn was returned with a much reduced majority of 2,293. Turnout had been 19.9% - the lowest in a peace-time by-election since 1918.

In 2005, turnout was 46.4% and, despite a swing to the Liberal Democrats, Mr Benn's majority stood at 11,866.

Boundary changes to Leeds Central are numerous, with part-wards being gained and lost from and to the other Leeds constituencies. The most significant changes are a large part of Middleton Park coming in from Morley and Rothwell, and the Halton Moor area of Temple Newsam moving to Leeds East. To find out what might have happened had these changes been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

Leeds Central includes the financial quarter of the city, but residents of the constituency have little share in its prosperity. High incomes are rare here, and the majority of families are housed in council or small terraced accommodation. Many of the back-to-back terraces are gone, replaced by more modern and high-rise housing.

There is a substantial population of single young people, partly reflecting the presence of the city's two universities.

Many residents work in shops and bars in the city centre and at the two hospitals, St James's and Leeds General Infirmary.

Notable buildings include the Royal Armouries museum and Elland Road, home to Leeds United Football Club.

There are plans to build a 13,000-seat sporting and musical venue on Claypit Lane; a university building has been demolished to make way for the new arena, which is scheduled to be completed in 2012.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
Lab 20,236 (59.50%)
LD 7,320 (21.52%)
C 4,320 (12.70%)
Others 1,641 (4.83%)
UKIP 491 (1.44%)

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