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1997 Result:
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Heal, Sylvia
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Lab
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26,366
|
54.10%
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|
Kennedy, John
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Con
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16,029
|
32.90%
|
|
Todd, Elaine
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LibDem
|
4,169
|
8.50%
|
|
White, Peter
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Ref
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1,244
|
2.60%
|
|
Needs, Karen
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NatDem
|
592
|
1.20%
|
|
Weller, Tim
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Green
|
361
|
0.70%
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Majority
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10,337
|
|
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10.7% swing from Con to Lab
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1992 Notional
Result:
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Con
|
24,306
|
44.74%
|
|
|
Lab
|
24,181
|
44.51%
|
|
|
LibDem
|
5,384
|
9.91%
|
|
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Others
|
452
|
.83%
|
Notional Majority
|
125
|
0.23%
|
|
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Description:
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In the early 1980s Warley West, which makes up a large proportion of this new seat, had the second highest proportion of workers still engaged in manufacturing industry in the country, and an above average sized Asian and black population (seven per cent in 1981). The new seat has a significant, though not large, Asian population (2.6% of households). Thus, the new seat represents a coming together of contrasts: the Wimpey and Barratt estates of Halesowen, housing young executives and well paid service sector employees, being joined by the large number of council house tenants, unemployed and skilled and semi-skilled manual workers from Rowley Regis. The percentage of those living in council accomodation is, at 27%, above the national average.
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