Along with Bristol South, this seat has the highest unemployment in the city, and those of the economically active workforce are mainly unskilled.
This constituency comprises the neighbourhoods of Brislington East and West, Easton, Eastville, Lawrence and Stockwood.
Described as a "microcosm of Middle England" and typified by the skilled working-class of the Brislington area, light industry is a strong feature of this constituency.
The seat is also home to HTV Television and Bristol Temple Meads rail station.
Bristol East was the scene of Tony Benn's defeat in 1983 when he lost the seat to Conservative Jonathan Sayeed after 30 years representing one of the largest West Country cities.
To give him his due, this constituency was actually a new one in 1983 composed of parts of Bristol North East and Bristol South East, Mr Benn’s original constituency.
So, in effect, 1992 represented Labour’s first victory in this constituency when Mr Sayeed lost the seat after only nine years tenure to Labour’s Jean Corston who has held it ever since.
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