Scottish Referendums

Clackmannanshire

Electorate: 35,725
Area (Hectares): 15,662

Clackmannanshire lies between the River Forth and the Ochil Hills in the eastern part of central Scotland. Traditionally this was a centre for the coal mining, textile and engineering industries. However, these sectors have been declining since the 1960s - brewing, distilling, glass manufacture and bottling are the main industries today.

The area's history of heavy industry may be one reason why the local politics are dominated by the Labour Party. Labour hold about two thirds of the seats on the council. The SNP are the main challengers - at the last General Election there was a 3.2% swing from Labour to the SNP in the Ochil constituency, which covers much of the same are as Clackmannanshire. Labour managed to hold the seat though.

Results of 1979 referendum:

The regions were different in 1979, Clackmannanshire was part of Central region.

	Yes	No	Turnout
All Scotland	51.6%	48.3%	63.8%
Central	54.7%	45.3%	66.7%

ICM/Scotsman poll published on 22 August 1997:

Question: Should there be a Scottish Parliament?

Yes No Don't know

All Scotland 68% 21% 11%

Lothian, Fife and Central 68% 25% 7%

Question:Should a Scottish Parliament have tax-varying powers?

Yes No Don't know

All Scotland 56% 36% 8%

Lothian, Fife and Central 57% 40% 3%

(Total Sample Size: 1,001, Fieldwork: 19-20 August 1997)