Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire is a rural area in the south east of Wales. The Brecon Beacons National Park lie partly in north west of the area, while the Usk Valley lies in the north and the Wye Valley in the east. Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow and Caldicot are the main towns, agriculture and tourism are the most important industries. There are regular livestock markets at both Abergavenny and Monmouth. There are very low levels of Welsh speaking here, the 1991 census found levels of 2% in the area covered by the old Monmouth borough council which has fallen within Monmouthshire unitary authority since local government reoganisation came into force in April 1996.

Monmouthshire is a relatively Conservative area, the parliamentary constituency of Monmouth was represented by a Conservative MP until the last general election when Huw Edwards won it for Labour. Labour holds 26 of the 42 seats on the council, while the Conservatives have 11.

Results of 1979 referendum:

		Yes		No		Turnout
All Wales		20%		80%		58.3%
Gwent		12%		88%		55.3%

Beaufort Research/Western Mail poll published on 2 July 1997:

		Agree		Disagree		Don't know
All Wales		43%		29%		28%
Cardiff/SE		37%		33%		30%