Vale of Glamorgan

The Vale of Glamorgan is situated on the south coast of Wales to the west of Cardiff. Barry is the region's principal industrial centre, with its deep water port, and the BP petro-chemical plant. It also includes the seaside town of Penarth and Cardiff international airport. The rest of the region is mainly rural, tourism is centred on the Glamorgan Heritage Coast 'Conservation Area', but the economy of these areas is mostly based on agriculture. This area has one of the lowest proportions of Welsh speakers, according to the 1991 census only 6.8 per cent of the population of this region speak Welsh.

Unlike much of South Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan does not have a strong history of Labour voting. The mixture of industrial areas, sea-side towns, and rural land makes this a classic marginal. Before the last general election the Conservatives held the constituency with a majority of just 19 votes, Labour took the seat on 1st May with a swing of 9.8 per cent. The old Vale of Glamorgan District Council (which covered a smaller area than the current unitary authority) was a Conservative stronghold until the 1991 local elections when Labour took control of the council. Labour also control the new unitary authority, they hold 36 of the 47 seats. The Conservatives and Plaid Cymru each hold 5, and there is one Independent councillor.

Results of 1979 referendum:

		Yes		No		Turnout
All Wales		20%		80%		58.3%
South Glamorgan		13%		87%		58.7%

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

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