Post by jamie on Mar 30, 2020 13:15:46 GMT
Newcastle upon Tyne Central
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is the largest in the North East of England. The city has historically been a major port and industrial hub, and more recently has seen a growing public sector and university presence. Despite its name, this constituency is actually largely composed of the West End of Newcastle and communities towards the north of the city. Newcastle upon Tyne Central is currently a safe Labour seat. While competitive with the Liberal Democrats on pre-2010 boundaries, its current composition would have long made it Labour’s safest seat in the city and they had a 33% majority over the Conservatives in 2019. Beginning in the city centre, the constituency includes part of Newcastle University and much of its 1st year student accommodation. Immediately to the west of the city centre is the West End which includes Benwell and Fenham. The Benwell area in the south is almost entirely heavily deprived council estates. The Fenham area to the north has arguably the worst reputation in the entire city, not totally earned but also not too far off the mark. Both are strongly Labour voting, and the eastern sections known as Elswick (Benwell) and Arthur’s Hill (Fenham) have substantial Asian populations that make them among the strongest polling districts for Labour in the entire North East. Immediately north of the West End is the Blakelaw and Cowgate area, once again Labour voting council estates. Further north still, the constituency takes in most of Kenton, again largely Labour voting, though somewhat more upmarket. Finally, the constituency takes in largely middle class western Gosforth. While Labour significantly overperform with middle class voters throughout the city, Gosforth is the one part where the Conservatives are closer to their ‘natural’ vote. As a consequence, western Gosforth is the only part of the constituency where the Conservatives can outpoll Labour, and by a decent margin in the decidedly posh south western part. Overall, Newcastle upon Tyne Central is a safe Labour seat. The Conservatives perform well in western Gosforth, but the constituency is otherwise Labour heartland and their dominance seems unlikely to be challenged anytime soon.
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is the largest in the North East of England. The city has historically been a major port and industrial hub, and more recently has seen a growing public sector and university presence. Despite its name, this constituency is actually largely composed of the West End of Newcastle and communities towards the north of the city. Newcastle upon Tyne Central is currently a safe Labour seat. While competitive with the Liberal Democrats on pre-2010 boundaries, its current composition would have long made it Labour’s safest seat in the city and they had a 33% majority over the Conservatives in 2019. Beginning in the city centre, the constituency includes part of Newcastle University and much of its 1st year student accommodation. Immediately to the west of the city centre is the West End which includes Benwell and Fenham. The Benwell area in the south is almost entirely heavily deprived council estates. The Fenham area to the north has arguably the worst reputation in the entire city, not totally earned but also not too far off the mark. Both are strongly Labour voting, and the eastern sections known as Elswick (Benwell) and Arthur’s Hill (Fenham) have substantial Asian populations that make them among the strongest polling districts for Labour in the entire North East. Immediately north of the West End is the Blakelaw and Cowgate area, once again Labour voting council estates. Further north still, the constituency takes in most of Kenton, again largely Labour voting, though somewhat more upmarket. Finally, the constituency takes in largely middle class western Gosforth. While Labour significantly overperform with middle class voters throughout the city, Gosforth is the one part where the Conservatives are closer to their ‘natural’ vote. As a consequence, western Gosforth is the only part of the constituency where the Conservatives can outpoll Labour, and by a decent margin in the decidedly posh south western part. Overall, Newcastle upon Tyne Central is a safe Labour seat. The Conservatives perform well in western Gosforth, but the constituency is otherwise Labour heartland and their dominance seems unlikely to be challenged anytime soon.
