Electorate 64,081 (December 2010) | Population 81,266 (2011 census) Created 1945 European Parliament constituency North West England Number of members 1 | |
 | ||
Blackpool South is a constituency in Lancashire, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 1997 by Gordon Marsden of the Labour Party.
Contents
History
This seat was created for the 1945 Election. This marginal constituency has been represented by both the Conservative and Labour Party parties since the Second World War. It was held by the Conservatives until 1997 when the current MP Gordon Marsden gained it for Labour.
Constituency profile
The seat encompasses the central and southern parts of Blackpool, including the famous Tower, the three piers and the Pleasure Beach. Also included is the suburb of Layton to the east and the Bloomfield area, home to Blackpool F.C. In the southern end of the seat, near to the Fylde border, Squires Gate is the site of Blackpool Airport.
Tourism is a major industry in the area, and while Blackpool has been less affected by the decline in domestic holidaymaking than some resorts, there are nonetheless some run-down areas which were once rather more glamorous. Traditionally seaside seats were very safe for the Conservatives, but these days the party would need an overall majority on a uniform swing to stand any chance of winning it back.
Boundaries
1945-1950: The County Borough of Blackpool wards of Marton, Stanley, Victoria, and Waterloo, and the Municipal Borough of Lytham St Annes.
1950-1983: The County Borough of Blackpool wards of Alexandra, Marton, Stanley, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.
1983-1997: The Borough of Blackpool wards of Alexandra, Clifton, Foxhall, Hawes Side, Highfield, Marton, Squires Gate, Stanley, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.
1997-2010: The Borough of Blackpool wards of Alexandra, Brunswick, Clifton, Foxhall, Hawes Side, Highfield, Layton, Marton, Park, Squires Gate, Stanley, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.
2010-present: The Borough of Blackpool wards of Bloomfield, Brunswick, Clifton, Hawes Side, Highfield, Marton, Squires Gate, Stanley, Talbot, Tyldesley, Victoria, and Waterloo.