West Lothian

The Result

Electorate: 115,411
Area (Hectares): 42,504

West Lothian is situated in the central belt of Scotland, just to the west of Edinburgh. The region is diverse in character, rural and urban areas, middle class commuter towns and less affluent industrial towns. The area has a history of coal and shale mining but it is now the centre of 'Silicon Glen'. A number of foreign electronics firms, including NEC and Mitsubishi, have set up plants here. The new town of Livingston lies at the centre of the council.

Given that the region is an ex-mining area and has a high proportion of council housing, it does not come as a surprise to find that Labour dominate the political scene. They hold the two parliamentary seats of Linlithgow and Livingston and have control of the council. However, the SNP are making inroads here - they have a sizeable group on the council and came second in the two parliamentary seats at the last general election.

Results of 1979 referendum:

ICM/Scotsman poll published on 22 August 1997:

		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)