BBC NEWS | VOTE 2003 | Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South

DESCRIPTION: Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South

Agriculture and tourism dominate the economy here, though both have suffered in recent years. The area's problems also mounted after major job losses at the former ITV Digital call centre in Pembroke Dock. The constituency with the longest name in Welsh politics was created in 1997. It took in part of the old Carmarthen seat - which fluctuated between Labour and Plaid Cymru - and much of Pembroke, which was relatively safe for the Conservatives. Coincidentally, much of this area has had three MPs in succession called Nicholas: for 17 years Pembroke's MP was Nicholas Edwards, who became Margaret Thatcher's Welsh secretary for eight years; he was replaced by fellow Tory Nicholas Bennett from 1987-92. Then Labour�s Nick Ainger took over and remains MP since for a seat which brings together Welsh-speaking Wales and the most anglicised part of the nation. His majority has, though, fallen below 5,000.

Its first AM has been Labour�s Christine Gwyther, who had a turbulent two years as the vegetarian in charge of agriculture. She returned in a less high-profile role as chair of the assembly's economic development committee. Both Plaid Cymru and the Conservatives will have hopes of doing well here - the Tories came second in the Westminster election, though Plaid were runners-up in the assembly vote. South Pembrokeshire is sometimes referred to as �little England beyond Wales�, having been anglicised by Flemish settlers in the middle ages.

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