BBC NEWS | VOTE 2003 | Cardiff North

DESCRIPTION: Cardiff North

The shift in political balance in Wales amid recent Conservative decline is starkly reflected in Cardiff North. It is almost exclusively middle-class with a largely older population which covers many of the capital's most prosperous suburbs, from Llanishen and Rhiwbina to Whitchurch and Lisvane. What was once a solid Tory seat has now been won by Labour at two consecutive Westminster elections. The local MP is Julie Morgan, wife of assembly First Minister Rhodri Morgan. Sue Essex, a former leader of the city council, became the AM at in 1999. She is also the transport and environment minister. But she faces a strong challenge from the Conservative AM Jonathan Morgan, who was elected in 1999 via the regional list.

The constituency was formed in 1974 and contains the most Conservative parts of the old Barry and Cardiff North constituencies. Confusingly, the bulk of the old Cardiff North seat is now in Cardiff Central. The Tories were left with only one seat on Cardiff County Council in the mid-1990s. They have recovered somewhat to have five today, four of them in Cardiff North, home to such large employers as the Inland Revenue at Llanishen. A local issue which has raised temperatures is the fate of Llanishen reservoir, amid proposals to largely drain it and build new homes. Protest placards have flourished outside homes all over the area. This seat also has a higher proportion, 8.3%, of Welsh-speakers than other Cardiff constituencies, reflecting the growing numbers of professional and middle class Welsh-speakers employed in the capital.

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