Post by gerrardwinstanley on Jul 9, 2023 14:07:12 GMT
Following boundary changes for the 1983 general election, the seat of Oxford West and Abingdon was created, thus establishing a cross-Thames constituency. The seat was formed from the oversized constituencies of Oxford and Abingdon, taking in the north-western and north-eastern portions of these seats respectively. Since its formation, it has established itself as a Conservative-Liberal marginal. The seat has been represented by four Members of Parliament: two Conservative and two Liberal Democrat. Currently, Oxford West and Abingdon is represented by Layla Moran, a member of the latter party.
Covering an area straddling two historic countries – Abingdon being the former county town of Berkshire – the seat’s boundaries have changed relatively little since its creation. Indeed, the 2023 review restored the seat to something that is similar to its original boundaries: losing the large village of Kidlington in the north, and regaining Oxford’s historic centre, as well as villages to the west of Abingdon. All of the University of Oxford’s colleges now fall within the the seat’s borders. Despite the readjusted seat taking in more of the city of Oxford, Abingdon (a Thames-side market town) and the small-to-medium sized villages around its periphery still make up the largest part of its electorate.
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the political history of the seat has been one of marginality. The seat was originally won by John Patten in 1983, who had previously represented the former city of Oxford constituency. At this election, the SDP won a respectable proportion of the vote (33.3%), paving the way for the competition between the Conservative and the SDP’s successors, the Liberal Democrats, which has come to define this seat. During Labour’s 1997 landslide, the Liberal Democrats’ Evan Harris managed to gain the seat from Patten, which he held until 2010 when it was won back by Nicola Blackwood for the Conservatives. Blackwood, however, failed to retain the seat in 2017, when this Remain-leaning constituency backed the Liberal Democrats, thus leading to the election of the first Member of Parliament of Palestinian descent: Layla Moran. The Liberal Democrats increased their majority in 2019.
Locally, the area has of late also been Liberal Democrat-leaning. As of the 2023 election, the seat’s Vale of White Horse wards returned nearly a full slate of Liberal councillors – albeit for a Green councillor from the two-member Abingdon Abbey Northcourt ward – having taken seats back from the Conservatives at the landslide 2019 election. Indeed, in Abingdon and the surrounding villages, there has been a strong LibDem presence for some time. Nevertheless, the Conservatives have always been competitive, too. Recently, local Conservative success paralleled that of the Cameron (and coalition) government, when the Tories gained the district in 2011. Following Boris Johnson’s premiership, however, the tables have turned; the Liberal Democrats have achieved renewed success here, particularly in the villages closest to Oxford, such as Botley and Cumnor, where they have historically been strongest. Labour’s fortunes and successes in this part of the constituency have, on the other hand, been somewhat unremarkable. In recent years, only one Labour councillor has been elected, that being in 2011 and for the ward of Abingdon Caldecott – the most deprived area of the town.
A significant part of the Oxford areas (generally a Labour-leaning city) of this constituency also sway toward the Liberal Democrats. Within the city’s boundaries, the small village of Wolvercote has been a bedrock of LibDem support. Similarly, the upmarket area of Summertown has backed the “yellow team” in recent years, too. At the 2022 election, of the seven Oxford wards that fall within the seat, the most northerly three all returned LibDem councillors, whereas the single ward representing Osney and the Botley Road (in the west of the city) voted Green. The three central wards – covering the areas of Carfax, Jericho, Walton Manor, and Holywell – all voted Labour. These three central wards in particular have a significant student population, which is an important characteristic of both Oxford constituencies.
Turning now to a profile of the seat, in the far south of the constituency lies Abingdon. Located on the River Thames, this market town has a long and colourful history, from its early medieval abbey destroyed by Henry VIII, to bun throwing and morris dancing, and producing one of the world’s most successful contemporary rock bands, Radiohead. Whilst perhaps not as affluent as other towns in the area, such as Henley and Wallingford, it is still relatively well off, particularly the areas close to Albert Park and Abingdon School. However, there are small pockets of deprivation, such as in the south of the town around Saxton Road. Once home to light industry – Morland brewery and the MG car company – the town’s industries now are primarily science-, research-, publishing-, and service-based. Consequently, the town’s adult populace (and the seat’s more generally) is heavily degree-educated; this is partially due to its proximity to Oxford as well as the previously EU-funded science operations JET at Culham and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at Harwell. Such funding, and previously mentioned high degree attainment, could be a reason for the generally pro-EU tendencies within this area.
Moving northwards, the villages between Abingdon and Oxford are mostly medium-to-large in size. Perhaps unlike other parts of the Vale, which remain “unspoilt”, the villages here are slightly larger and a hodgepodge of historic centres/buildings with later add-ons, particularly from the 1970s. Moreover, many are growing further, with the building of new estates, thus following the significant housing growth that this area has seen of late. Indeed, at current rates, it won’t be long till Abingdon and Oxford are joined together in a continuous sprawl of houses, connected by a line of villages. Some of these villages, such as Botley and Cumnor Hill, feel more like suburbs of Oxford than stand alone places. Kennington is also a substantial village, stretching right up to the southern edge of Oxford. There is, however, some attractive countryside here too, particularly around the hamlet of Boars Hill, which is made up of mostly large Victorian villas. Some of these villas have been occupied by famous residents in the past, possessing fantastic views over Oxford's "dreaming spires".
These "dreaming spires" now fall within the seat again, having been returned to the constituency in the most recent boundary review. Indeed, Oxford’s centre contains buildings in every style of English architecture since the late Anglo-Saxon period, housing many of the most famous buildings of the university that bears the city’s name, including the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library. Alongside these grandiose gothic establishments, the centre also functions as the main shopping and leisure hub for the city and surrounding county. Here, gown rubs shoulders with town. Indeed, it can be all too easily forgotten that Oxford is a place with a long and proud industrial heritage, and that the university, however important, sits alongside a city that cannot be merely understood within the terms of mortar boards and gowns. The areas of Oxford included in the seat, outside of the centre, are perhaps the most affluent in the city. Certainly, the areas along the Woodstock and Banbury Roads (the suburbs of Walton Manor, Park Town, and Norham Manor), just north of the centre, are extremely wealthy. They are characterised by their huge Victorian detached houses, built in Italianate and Gothic Revival styles, some of which lie on the banks of the Cherwell. The University Parks, including the cricket ground and impressive pavilion, also fall within the seat's boundaries. It is, then, possible to watch first-class cricket, and even occasionally international teams, within the constituency. Turning westwards, the village-like Jericho – once the city’s red light district – is now almost equally as expensive, but is made up of smaller terraced housing and home to Oxford University Press. To the northeast, Summertown is also extremely middle class, and like the areas due south of it, is made up of large (if not slightly smaller) Victorian semi-detached and terraced houses. Almost separate from Oxford but within the city’s boundaries, Wolvercote is a pleasant village with a handful of pubs; the village cemetery contains the grave of J.R.R. Tolkien, best known as the author of The Lord of the Rings. Stretching south from Wolvercote is the large common areas of Wolvercote Common and Port Meadow, nestled alongside the Thames, where horses and cows are left to graze freely. The western areas of Osney and along the Botley Road, like most of this part of the seat, are primarily made up of Victorian housing; here are many of Oxford's industrial and trading estates, too. Whilst still fairly affluent in character, compared to the north Oxford parts of this seat, it is less so.
Returning to politics, the Liberal Democrats appear to have strengthened their position in the seat, particularly since 2019. The new boundaries will make it likely safer, too. The current Conservative government doesn’t match the more socially liberal-inclined politics that were successful here under Cameron. Thus, the seat is probably unlikely to change hands unless the Tories change themselves. Historically, the Labour vote at general election time has moved to the Liberal Democrats to keep the Conservatives out. However, with the new boundaries, it could become more interesting, making it less important for Labour voters to vote tactically, with the inclusion of the heavily Labour areas around the city centre and the removal of more Tory-inclined areas outside of the city. For the time being, however, Oxford West and Abingdon looks likely to remain Liberal Democrat.
Covering an area straddling two historic countries – Abingdon being the former county town of Berkshire – the seat’s boundaries have changed relatively little since its creation. Indeed, the 2023 review restored the seat to something that is similar to its original boundaries: losing the large village of Kidlington in the north, and regaining Oxford’s historic centre, as well as villages to the west of Abingdon. All of the University of Oxford’s colleges now fall within the the seat’s borders. Despite the readjusted seat taking in more of the city of Oxford, Abingdon (a Thames-side market town) and the small-to-medium sized villages around its periphery still make up the largest part of its electorate.
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the political history of the seat has been one of marginality. The seat was originally won by John Patten in 1983, who had previously represented the former city of Oxford constituency. At this election, the SDP won a respectable proportion of the vote (33.3%), paving the way for the competition between the Conservative and the SDP’s successors, the Liberal Democrats, which has come to define this seat. During Labour’s 1997 landslide, the Liberal Democrats’ Evan Harris managed to gain the seat from Patten, which he held until 2010 when it was won back by Nicola Blackwood for the Conservatives. Blackwood, however, failed to retain the seat in 2017, when this Remain-leaning constituency backed the Liberal Democrats, thus leading to the election of the first Member of Parliament of Palestinian descent: Layla Moran. The Liberal Democrats increased their majority in 2019.
Locally, the area has of late also been Liberal Democrat-leaning. As of the 2023 election, the seat’s Vale of White Horse wards returned nearly a full slate of Liberal councillors – albeit for a Green councillor from the two-member Abingdon Abbey Northcourt ward – having taken seats back from the Conservatives at the landslide 2019 election. Indeed, in Abingdon and the surrounding villages, there has been a strong LibDem presence for some time. Nevertheless, the Conservatives have always been competitive, too. Recently, local Conservative success paralleled that of the Cameron (and coalition) government, when the Tories gained the district in 2011. Following Boris Johnson’s premiership, however, the tables have turned; the Liberal Democrats have achieved renewed success here, particularly in the villages closest to Oxford, such as Botley and Cumnor, where they have historically been strongest. Labour’s fortunes and successes in this part of the constituency have, on the other hand, been somewhat unremarkable. In recent years, only one Labour councillor has been elected, that being in 2011 and for the ward of Abingdon Caldecott – the most deprived area of the town.
A significant part of the Oxford areas (generally a Labour-leaning city) of this constituency also sway toward the Liberal Democrats. Within the city’s boundaries, the small village of Wolvercote has been a bedrock of LibDem support. Similarly, the upmarket area of Summertown has backed the “yellow team” in recent years, too. At the 2022 election, of the seven Oxford wards that fall within the seat, the most northerly three all returned LibDem councillors, whereas the single ward representing Osney and the Botley Road (in the west of the city) voted Green. The three central wards – covering the areas of Carfax, Jericho, Walton Manor, and Holywell – all voted Labour. These three central wards in particular have a significant student population, which is an important characteristic of both Oxford constituencies.
Turning now to a profile of the seat, in the far south of the constituency lies Abingdon. Located on the River Thames, this market town has a long and colourful history, from its early medieval abbey destroyed by Henry VIII, to bun throwing and morris dancing, and producing one of the world’s most successful contemporary rock bands, Radiohead. Whilst perhaps not as affluent as other towns in the area, such as Henley and Wallingford, it is still relatively well off, particularly the areas close to Albert Park and Abingdon School. However, there are small pockets of deprivation, such as in the south of the town around Saxton Road. Once home to light industry – Morland brewery and the MG car company – the town’s industries now are primarily science-, research-, publishing-, and service-based. Consequently, the town’s adult populace (and the seat’s more generally) is heavily degree-educated; this is partially due to its proximity to Oxford as well as the previously EU-funded science operations JET at Culham and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory at Harwell. Such funding, and previously mentioned high degree attainment, could be a reason for the generally pro-EU tendencies within this area.
Moving northwards, the villages between Abingdon and Oxford are mostly medium-to-large in size. Perhaps unlike other parts of the Vale, which remain “unspoilt”, the villages here are slightly larger and a hodgepodge of historic centres/buildings with later add-ons, particularly from the 1970s. Moreover, many are growing further, with the building of new estates, thus following the significant housing growth that this area has seen of late. Indeed, at current rates, it won’t be long till Abingdon and Oxford are joined together in a continuous sprawl of houses, connected by a line of villages. Some of these villages, such as Botley and Cumnor Hill, feel more like suburbs of Oxford than stand alone places. Kennington is also a substantial village, stretching right up to the southern edge of Oxford. There is, however, some attractive countryside here too, particularly around the hamlet of Boars Hill, which is made up of mostly large Victorian villas. Some of these villas have been occupied by famous residents in the past, possessing fantastic views over Oxford's "dreaming spires".
These "dreaming spires" now fall within the seat again, having been returned to the constituency in the most recent boundary review. Indeed, Oxford’s centre contains buildings in every style of English architecture since the late Anglo-Saxon period, housing many of the most famous buildings of the university that bears the city’s name, including the Radcliffe Camera and Bodleian Library. Alongside these grandiose gothic establishments, the centre also functions as the main shopping and leisure hub for the city and surrounding county. Here, gown rubs shoulders with town. Indeed, it can be all too easily forgotten that Oxford is a place with a long and proud industrial heritage, and that the university, however important, sits alongside a city that cannot be merely understood within the terms of mortar boards and gowns. The areas of Oxford included in the seat, outside of the centre, are perhaps the most affluent in the city. Certainly, the areas along the Woodstock and Banbury Roads (the suburbs of Walton Manor, Park Town, and Norham Manor), just north of the centre, are extremely wealthy. They are characterised by their huge Victorian detached houses, built in Italianate and Gothic Revival styles, some of which lie on the banks of the Cherwell. The University Parks, including the cricket ground and impressive pavilion, also fall within the seat's boundaries. It is, then, possible to watch first-class cricket, and even occasionally international teams, within the constituency. Turning westwards, the village-like Jericho – once the city’s red light district – is now almost equally as expensive, but is made up of smaller terraced housing and home to Oxford University Press. To the northeast, Summertown is also extremely middle class, and like the areas due south of it, is made up of large (if not slightly smaller) Victorian semi-detached and terraced houses. Almost separate from Oxford but within the city’s boundaries, Wolvercote is a pleasant village with a handful of pubs; the village cemetery contains the grave of J.R.R. Tolkien, best known as the author of The Lord of the Rings. Stretching south from Wolvercote is the large common areas of Wolvercote Common and Port Meadow, nestled alongside the Thames, where horses and cows are left to graze freely. The western areas of Osney and along the Botley Road, like most of this part of the seat, are primarily made up of Victorian housing; here are many of Oxford's industrial and trading estates, too. Whilst still fairly affluent in character, compared to the north Oxford parts of this seat, it is less so.
Returning to politics, the Liberal Democrats appear to have strengthened their position in the seat, particularly since 2019. The new boundaries will make it likely safer, too. The current Conservative government doesn’t match the more socially liberal-inclined politics that were successful here under Cameron. Thus, the seat is probably unlikely to change hands unless the Tories change themselves. Historically, the Labour vote at general election time has moved to the Liberal Democrats to keep the Conservatives out. However, with the new boundaries, it could become more interesting, making it less important for Labour voters to vote tactically, with the inclusion of the heavily Labour areas around the city centre and the removal of more Tory-inclined areas outside of the city. For the time being, however, Oxford West and Abingdon looks likely to remain Liberal Democrat.
