Election 97

Torfaen

Current MP Paul Murphy
Conservative 97 5,327
Labour 97 29,863
LibDem 97 5,249
Nationalist 97 1,042
Other 97 519
Elected party Lab
Torfaen

Robert Waller wrote
Old constituency Torfaen
Conservative 92 9,598
Labour 92 30,352
LibDem 92 6,178
Nationalist 92 0
Other 92 1,210
Elected party Labour

Torfaen is the constituency that covers the far east of the series of great South Welsh industrial valleys. The base of its economy has changed more than most. Mining is no longer active here, as elsewhere, but light and varied industry has been attracted to provide alternative employment.

The only New Town in Wales, Cwmbran is included here and is by far the largest population centre in the valley, housing over 40,000 people. Unlike English New Towns with their volatile swings and notable lack of loyalty to Labour, Cwmbran follows the Scottish model.

Torfaen is a Labour stronghold in working-class country with powerful and long Labour traditions. Paul Murphy won his second election in 1992, increasing his majority to over 20,000 over the Tories, while the Liberal Democrats fell back to third.


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926 2.65 9.03 29
1,027 2.94 11.17 26
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7 0.02 2.81 1
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