Devon North

LibDem

Hold

1997 Result:	Harvey, Nick LibDem 27,824 50.70% Ashworth, Richard Con 21,643 39.50% Brenton, Eithne Lab 5,367 9.80% Majority 6,181 5% swing from Con to LibDem
1992 Notional Result:	LibDem 27,389 47.1%   Con 26,596 45.73%   Lab 3,406 5.86%   Others 764 1.31% Notional Majority 793 1.36%
Description:	The constituency is famous for its many miles of attractive coastline, which ensure that tourism features prominently in the local economy, along with farming and the light industry centred on Barnstaple. Away from the coast, the Liberal Democrats tend to derive much of their support from the inland villages and the market town of South Molton, which contain more 'native' Devonians than the coastal resorts. Tourism in these resort areas, such as the town of Ilfracombe, has been suffering in recent years, hit by the growing trend for holidays abroad, but the relocation of the Royal Marines into the constituency from Plymouth may give local businesses and services a boost.