BBC Profile:
This is a new constituency. The area has been Labour for decades. This new seat has been formed from sections of four now abolished parliamentary seats, and as its name suggests, takes in the western suburbs of the city of Sunderland and all the post-war new town of Washington. The town is not entirely new and contains Washington Old Hall, home of the ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States. 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.

Historically, Washington and Sunderland were heavily involved in the coal industry and many of the old communities of Washington grew up around the pits. This provided historical links between the two urban areas.

Washington was also involved in the chemical industry and the Washington Chemical Works was a major employer in the 19th century. This later became the Cape/Newalls Works producing insulation. The Pattinson Town area of Washington grew up around the chemical works, and is now known as the Pattinson industrial estate and Teal Farm housing estate.

Currently, Washington's main industries include textiles, electronics, car assembly, chemicals and electrical goods. The Nissan plant which falls within the new constituency is the major employer, and Nissan is the largest private-sector employer in the City of Sunderland area.

A new night shift at the factory has brought in thousands mor

[More...]

BBC Profile:
This is a new constituency. The area has been Labour for decades. This new seat has been formed from sections of four now abolished parliamentary seats, and as its name suggests, takes in the western suburbs of the city of Sunderland and all the post-war new town of Washington. The town is not entirely new and contains Washington Old Hall, home of the ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States. 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.

Historically, Washington and Sunderland were heavily involved in the coal industry and many of the old communities of Washington grew up around the pits. This provided historical links between the two urban areas.

Washington was also involved in the chemical industry and the Washington Chemical Works was a major employer in the 19th century. This later became the Cape/Newalls Works producing insulation. The Pattinson Town area of Washington grew up around the chemical works, and is now known as the Pattinson industrial estate and Teal Farm housing estate.

Currently, Washington's main industries include textiles, electronics, car assembly, chemicals and electrical goods. The Nissan plant which falls within the new constituency is the major employer, and Nissan is the largest private-sector employer in the City of Sunderland area.

A new night shift at the factory has brought in thousands more jobs as part of the production for the Nissan Qashqai.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
Lab 22,327 (68.79%)
LD 5,267 (16.23%)
C 4,864 (14.99%)

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