As suggested by its name, Hamilton North and Bellshill is not a geographically homogeneous constituency. It contains a number of individual communities, such as Bothwell, Uddingston, Holytown and a small part of Hamilton, although all are united in being predominantly working-class and industrial.
Ten miles south east of Glasgow, this is an ex-mining area which is also close to the ex-steelworks of Ravenscraig. Economically, things are not too good for the seat's inhabitants.
Dr John Reid has represented this area since 1987, and also served as Secretary of State for Scotland from 1999-2001. His majority in 1997 was almost 45% of the vote, one of the biggest in Scotland.
Labour took the seat at the 199 Scottish Parliament elections, but the margin over the SNP was only 18%.
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