Post by hullenedge on Apr 2, 2020 11:48:04 GMT
Calder Valley, first created in 1983 by a fusion of Sowerby (less Sowerby Bridge) and Brighouse & Spenborough (less Spenborough), is a classic marginal seat. Sowerby was represented for 24 years by Douglas Houghton (a strong supporter of European union in the 1960s) and later the avuncular Donald Thompson, who won the initial contest for the valley.
The constituency is pulled in two directions. Both Todmorden and Calder (Hebden Bridge, named as the Lesbian capital of the British Isles) are swinging to Labour as the radical left middle classes occupy more houses and businesses. Luddenden Foot (Mytholmroyd) ward has been badly hit by flooding in recent years and this has led to some anti-government/anti-MP feeling.
Further down the valley there’s picturesque Ryburn (Ripponden) ward, strongly Conservative but a spat between local Tories has led to more interesting municipal battles. Greetland & Stainland ward is solidly Liberal Democrat at local elections but is firmly in the Conservative column at a General Election.
Moving towards the stronger lower valley Leave-voting wards, Elland where the local Liberal tradition is waning, Rastrick and Brighouse wards both moving towards the Tories as more conservative in-comers buy the newly built homes. Finally the Tory redoubt of Hipperholme & Lightcliffe.
It would be a foolish person who dared to forecast future outcomes in this constituency should it survive the boundary review. The last scheme proposed cleaving the upper valley and adding it to Halifax. This could prove popular amongst both ends of the constituency for ‘never the twain shall meet’.
The constituency is pulled in two directions. Both Todmorden and Calder (Hebden Bridge, named as the Lesbian capital of the British Isles) are swinging to Labour as the radical left middle classes occupy more houses and businesses. Luddenden Foot (Mytholmroyd) ward has been badly hit by flooding in recent years and this has led to some anti-government/anti-MP feeling.
Further down the valley there’s picturesque Ryburn (Ripponden) ward, strongly Conservative but a spat between local Tories has led to more interesting municipal battles. Greetland & Stainland ward is solidly Liberal Democrat at local elections but is firmly in the Conservative column at a General Election.
Moving towards the stronger lower valley Leave-voting wards, Elland where the local Liberal tradition is waning, Rastrick and Brighouse wards both moving towards the Tories as more conservative in-comers buy the newly built homes. Finally the Tory redoubt of Hipperholme & Lightcliffe.
It would be a foolish person who dared to forecast future outcomes in this constituency should it survive the boundary review. The last scheme proposed cleaving the upper valley and adding it to Halifax. This could prove popular amongst both ends of the constituency for ‘never the twain shall meet’.