A London constituency since the 1960s, parts of it still have the feel of its Surrey heritage. In the north, skirting the 1,000 acres of Wimbledon Common, is the village - the strongest Conservative area in the constituency.
Sweeping down Wimbledon hill the wards become the marginal battleground of local politics, before fetching up at the strongest Labour territory in the south at the border with Mitcham and Morden constituency.
Wimbledon is home to the world famous tennis courts, the papal nuncio and the headquarters of two large trade unions - the GMB and CWU. The Common has its Caesar’s Camp and a slightly less old windmill. The area’s association with Horatio Nelson (who lived here for some time) is reflected in the name of the local hospital, the Emma Hamilton pub and various street names.
Labour only won here once before 1997. Roger Casale’s victory then was unexpected and he will be in the frontline of the Conservatives' campaign to recover what they regard as their heartland seats.
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