1997 United Kingdom general election in Wales

1997 United Kingdom general election in Wales
← 1992 1 May 1997 2001 →
All 40 Welsh seats to the House of Commons
  First party Second party Third party
 
Leader Tony Blair Dafydd Wigley Paddy Ashdown
Party Labour Plaid Cymru Liberal Democrats
Leader since 21 July 1994 26 October 1991 16 July 1988
Last election 27 seats, 49.5% 4 seats, 8.9% 1 seat, 12.4%
Seats before 27† 4† 1†
Seats won 34 4 2
Seat change Increase7* Steady Increase1*
Popular vote 885,935 161,030 200,020
Percentage 54.7% 10.0% 12.4%
Swing Increase5.2% Increase1.1% Decrease0.1%
†Notional 1992 results if held on the 1997 boundaries

*Indicates boundary change - so this is a notional figure.
Main article: 1997 United Kingdom general election

These are the results of the 1997 United Kingdom general election in Wales. The election was held on 1 May 1997 and all 40 seats in Wales were contested. The Labour Party won a landslide majority of Welsh MPs, gaining seven seats for a total of 34 out of 40. The Liberal Democrats gained one seat, whilst Plaid Cymru retained their four MPs.[1]

The Conservatives lost all of their Welsh MPs, leaving them without representation in Wales for the first time since the 1906 general election.[2][3][4] They would not gain another MP until the 2005 general election.[5]

Results

Below is a table summarising the results of the 1997 general election in Wales.[1]

Party[6] Seats Votes
Total Gains Losses Net +/- % seats Total votes % votes Change
Labour 34 7 0 Increase7 85.0 885,935 54.7 Increase5.2
Conservative 0 0 8 Decrease8 — 317,127 19.6 Decrease9.0
Liberal Democrats 2 1 0 Increase1 5.0 200,020 12.4 Decrease0.1
Plaid Cymru 4 0 0 Steady 10.0 161,030 10.0 Increase1.1
Referendum 0 0 0 Steady — 38,245 2.4 New
Socialist Labour 0 0 0 Steady — 6,203 0.4 New
Independent Labour 0 0 0 Steady — 4,633 0.3 New
Independent 0 0 0 Steady — 2,258 0.2 N/A
Green 0 0 0 Steady — 1,718 0.1 Decrease0.3
Other parties 0 0 0 Steady — 3,087 0.2 N/A




Results by constituency

Main article: Results of the 1997 United Kingdom general election by constituency

The following is the results by constituency by Senedd electoral region:

Mid and West Wales

Mid and West Wales elected 8 Members of Parliament.

Constituency Candidates Incumbent
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Plaid Cymru Referendum Other
Brecon and Radnorshire[7] Christopher Mann

11,424 (26.6%)

Jonathan Evans

12,419 (29.0%)

Richard Livsey

17,516 (40.8%)

Steven Cornelius

622 (1.5%)

Elizabeth Phillips

900 (2.1%)

  Jonathan Evans
Carmarthen East and Dinefwr[8]   Alan Williams

17,907 (42.9%)

Edmund Hayward

5,022 (12.0%)

Juliana Hughes

3,150 (7.5%)

Rhodri Glyn Thomas

14,457 (34.6%)

Ian Humphreys-Evans

1,196 (2.9%)

  Alan Williams‡

(Carmarthen)

Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire[9]   Nick Ainger

20,956 (49.1%)

Owen Williams

11,335 (26.6%)

Keith Evans

3,516 (8.2%)

Roy Llewellyn

5,402 (12.7%)

Joy Poirrier

1,432 (3.4%)

  Nick Ainger‡

(Pembrokeshire)

Ceredigion[10] Robert (Hag) Harris

9,767 (24.3%)

Felix Aubel

5,983 (14.9%)

Dai Davies

6,616 (16.5%)

Cynog Dafis

16,728 (41.6%)

John Leaney

1,092 (2.7%)

Cynog Dafis‡

(Ceredigion and Pembroke North)

Llanelli[11]   Denzil Davies

23,851 (57.9%)

Andrew Hayes

5,003 (12.1%)

Nick Burree

3,788 (9.2%)

Marc Phillips

7,812 (19.0%)

John Willock (SLP)

757 (1.8%)

  Denzil Davies
Meirionnydd Nant Conwy[12] Hefin E. Rees

5,660 (23.0%)

Jeremy Quin

3,922 (16.0%)

Robina L. Feeley

1,719 (7.0%)

Elfyn Llwyd

12,465 (50.7%)

Phillip H. Hodge

809 (3.3%)

Elfyn Llwyd
Montgomeryshire[13] Angharad Davies

6,109 (19.1%)

Glyn Davies

8,344 (26.1%)

Lembit Öpik

14,647 (45.9%)

Helen Mary Jones

1,608 (5.0%)

John Bufton

879 (2.8%)

Susan Walker (Green)

338 (1.1%)

Alex Carlile†
Preseli Pembrokeshire[14]   Jackie Lawrence

20,477 (48.3%)

Robert Buckland

11,741 (27.7%)

Jeffrey Clarke

5,527 (13.0%)

Alun Jones

2,683 (6.3%)

David Berry

1,574 (3.7%)

Molly Scott Cato (Green)

401 (0.9%)

  Nick Ainger‡

(Pembrokeshire)

North Wales

North Wales elected 9 Members of Parliament.

Constituency Candidates Incumbent
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Plaid Cymru Referendum Other
Alyn and Deeside[15]   Barry Jones

25,955 (61.9%)

Timothy P. Roberts

9,552 (22.8%)

Eleanor Burnham

4,076 (9.7%)

Siw Hills

738 (1.8%)

Malcolm J. D. Jones

1,627 (3.9%)

  Barry Jones
Caernarfon[16] Eifion Wyn Williams

10,167 (29.5%)

Elwyn Williams

4,230 (12.3%)

Mary Macqueen

1,686 (4.9%)

Dafydd Wigley

17,616 (51.0%)

Clive Collins

811 (2.4%)

Dafydd Wigley
Conwy[17]   Betty Williams

14,561 (35.0%)

David Jones

10,085 (24.3%)

Roger Roberts

12,965 (31.2%)

Rhodri Davies

2,844 (6.8%)

Allan Barham

760 (1.8%)

Richard Bradley (Ind.)

250 (0.6%)

David Hughes (NLP)

95 (0.2%)

  Wyn Roberts†
Clwyd South[18]   Martyn Jones

22,901 (58.1%)

Boris Johnson

9,091 (23.1%)

Andrew Chadwick

3,684 (9.4%)

Gareth Williams

2,500 (6.3%)

Alex Lewis

1,207 (3.1%)

  Martyn Jones‡

(Clwyd South West)

Clwyd West[19]   Gareth Thomas

14,918 (37.1%)

Rod Richards

13,070 (32.5%)

Gwyn Williams

5,151 (12.8%)

Eryl W. Williams

5,421 (12.8%)

Heather Bennett-Collins

1,114 (2.8%)

David K. Neal (Conservatory)

583 (1.3%)

  Rod Richards‡

(Clwyd North West)

Delyn[20]   David Hanson

23,300 (57.2%)

Karen Lumley

10,607 (26.0%)

David Lloyd

4,160 (10.2%)

Ashley J. Drake

1,558 (3.8%)

Elizabeth H. Soutter

1,117 (2.7%)

  David Hanson
Vale of Clwyd[21]   Chris Ruane

20,617 (52.7%)

David Edwards

11,662 (29.8%)

Daniel Munford

3,425 (8.8%)

Gwyneth Kensler

2,301 (5.9%)

Simon Vickers

834 (2.1%)

Scott Cooke (UKIP)

293 (0.7%)

New constituency
Wrexham[22]   John Marek

20,450 (56.1%)

Stuart Andrew

8,688 (23.9%)

Andrew Thomas

4,833 (13.3%)

Kevin Plant

1,170 (3.2%)

John Cronk

1,195 (3.3%)

Nicholas Low (NLP)

86 (0.2%)

  John Marek
Ynys Môn[23] Owen Edwards

13,275 (33.2%)

Gwilym Owen

8,569 (21.5%)

Deric Burnham

1,537 (3.8%)

Ieuan Wyn Jones

15,756 (39.5%)

Hugh Gray-Morris

793 (2.0%)

Ieuan Wyn Jones

South Central Wales

South Central Wales elected 8 Members of Parliament.

Constituency Candidates Incumbent
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Plaid Cymru Referendum Other
Cardiff Central[24]   Jon Owen Jones

18,464 (43.7%)

David Melding

8,470 (20.0%)

Jenny Randerson

10,541 (24.9%)

Wayne Vernon

1,504 (3.6%)

Nick Lloyd

760 (1.8%)

Terence Burns (SLP)

2,230 (5.3%)

Craig James (OMRLP)

204 (0.5%)

Anthony Hobbs (NLP)

80 (0.2%)

  Jon Owen Jones
Cardiff North[25]   Julie Morgan

24,460 (50.4%)

Gwilym Jones

16,334 (33.7%)

Robyn Rowland

5,294 (10.9%)

Colin Palfrey

1,201 (2.5%)

Edward J. Litchfield

1,199 (2.5%)

  Gwilym Jones
Cardiff South and Penarth[26]   Alun Michael

22,647 (53.4%)

Caroline E. Roberts

8,786 (20.7%)

Simon J. Wakefield

3,964 (9.3%)

David B. L. Haswell

1,356 (3.2%)

Phillip S. E. Morgan

1,211 (2.9%)

John Foreman (New Labour)

3,942 (9.3%)

Mike K. Shepherd (Socialist Alternative)

344 (0.8%)

Barbara Caves (NLP)

170 (0.4%)

  Alun Michael
Cardiff West[27]   Rhodri Morgan

24,297 (60.3%)

Simon Hoare

8,669 (21.5%)

Jacqui Gasson

4,366 (10.8%)

Gwenllian Carr

1,949 (4.8%)

Trefor Johns

996 (2.5%)

  Rhodri Morgan
Cynon Valley[28]   Ann Clwyd

23,307 (69.7%)

Andrew Smith

2,260 (6.8%)

Huw Price

3,459 (10.3%)

Alun Davies

3,552 (10.6%)

Gwyn John

844 (2.5%)

  Ann Clwyd
Pontypridd[29]   Kim Howells

29,290 (63.9%)

Jonathan M. Cowen

5,910 (12.9%)

Nigel Howells

6,161 (13.4%)

Owain Llewelyn

2,977 (6.5%)

John Wood

874 (1.9%)

Peter Skelly (SLP)

380 (0.8%)

Robert Griffiths (Communist)

178 (0.4%)

Anthony G. Moore (NLP)

85 (0.2%)

  Kim Howells
Rhondda[30]   Allan Rogers

30,381 (74.5%)

Steven Whiting

1,551 (3.8%)

Rodney Berman

2,307 (5.7%)

Leanne Wood

5,450 (13.4%)

Stephen Gardiner

658 (1.6%)

Kevin Jakeway (Green)

460 (1.1%)

  Allan Rogers
Vale of Glamorgan[31]   John Smith

29,054 (53.9%)

Walter Sweeney

18,522 (34.4%)

Suzanne Campbell

4,945 (9.2%)

Melanie Corp

1,393 (2.6%)

  Walter Sweeney

South East Wales

South East Wales elected 8 Members of Parliament.

Constituency Candidates Incumbent
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Plaid Cymru Referendum Other
Blaenau Gwent[32]   Llew Smith

31,493 (79.5%)

Margrit A. Williams

2,607 (6.6%)

Geraldine Layton

3,458 (8.7%)

Jim B. Criddle

2,072 (5.2%)

  Llew Smith
Caerphilly[33]   Ron Davies

30,697 (67.3%)

Rhodri Harris

4,858 (10.7%)

Tony D. Ferguson

3,724 (8.2%)

Lindsay Whittle

4,383 (9.7%)

Mark E. Morgan

1,337 (3.0%)

Catherine Williams (PLA)

270 (0.6%)

  Ron Davies
Islwyn[34]   Don Touhig

26,995 (74.2%)

David Walters

2,864 (7.9%)

Christopher Worker

3,064 (8.4%)

Darren Jones

2,272 (6.2%)

Susan Monaghan

1,209 (3.3%)

  Don Touhig
Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney[35]   Ted Rowlands

30,012 (76.7%)

Jonathan Morgan

2,508 (6.4%)

Duncan Anstey

2,926 (7.5%)

Alun Cox

2,344 (6.0%)

Ronald Hutchings

660 (1.7%)

Alan Cowdell (Ind. Lab.)

691 (1.8%)

  Ted Rowlands
Monmouth[36]   Huw Edwards

23,404 (47.7%)

Roger Evans

19,226 (39.2%)

Mark Williams

4,689 (9.6%)

Alan Cotton

516 (1.1%)

Timothy Warry

1,190 (2.4%)

  Roger Evans
Newport East[37]   Alan Howarth

21,481 (57.7%)

David Evans

7,958 (21.4%)

Alistair Cameron

3,880 (10.4%)

Christopher Holland

721 (1.9%)

Edward Chaney-Davis

1,267 (3.4%)

Arthur Scargill (SLP)

1,951 (5.2%)

  Roy Hughes†
Newport West[38]   Paul Flynn

24,331 (60.5%)

Peter Clarke

9,794 (24.4%)

Stanley Wilson

3,907 (9.7%)

Huw Jackson

648 (1.6%)

Andrew Thompsett

1,199 (3.0%)

Hugh Hughes (UKIP)

323 (0.3%)

  Paul Flynn
Torfaen[39]   Paul Murphy

29,863 (69.1%)

Neil Parish

5,327 (12.3%)

Jean Gray

5,249 (12.1%)

Robert Gough

1,042 (2.4%)

Deborah Holler

1,245 (2.9%)

Roger Coghill (Green)

519 (1.2%)

  Paul Murphy

South West Wales

South West Wales elected 7 Members of Parliament.

Constituency Candidates Incumbent
Labour Conservative Liberal Democrat Plaid Cymru Referendum Other
Aberavon[40]   John Morris

25,650 (71.3%)

Peter Harper

2,835 (7.9%)

Ronald McConville

4,079 (11.3%)

Philip Cockwell

2,088 (5.8%)

Peter David

970 (2.7%)

Captain Beany (Independent)

341 (1.0%)

  John Morris
Bridgend[41]   Win Griffiths

25,115 (58.1%)

David Davies

9,867 (22.8%)

Andrew Mckinlay

4,968 (11.5%)

Dennis R. Watkins

1,649 (3.8%)

Tudor Greaves

1,662 (3.8%)

  Win Griffiths
Gower[42]   Martin Caton

23,313 (53.8%)

Alun Cairns

10,306 (23.8%)

Howard W. Evans

5,624 (13.0%)

D Elwyn Williams

2,226 (5.1%)

Richard D. Lewis

1,745 (4.0%)

Anthony G. Popham (Independent)

122 (0.3%)

  Gareth Wardell†
Neath[43]   Peter Hain

30,324 (73.5%)

David M. Evans

3,583 (8.7%)

Frank H. Little

2,597 (6.3%)

Trefor Jones

3,344 (8.1%)

Peter A. Morris

975 (2.4%)

Howard Marks (Legalise Cannabis Party)

420 (1.0%)

  Peter Hain
Ogmore[44]   Ray Powell

28,163 (74.0%)

David A. Unwin

3,716 (9.8%)

Kirsty Williams

3,510 (9.2%)

John D. Rogers

2,679 (7.0%)

  Ray Powell
Swansea East[45]   Donald Anderson

29,151 (75.4%)

Catherine Dibble

3,582 (9.3%)

Elwyn Jones

3,440 (8.9%)

Michelle Pooley

1,308 (2.3%)

Catherine Maggs

904 (2.3%)

Ronnie Job (Socialist Alternative)

289 (0.8%)

  Donald Anderson
Swansea West[46]   Alan Williams

22,748 (56.2%)

Andrew Baker

8,289 (20.5%)

John Newbury

5,872 (14.5%)

Dai Lloyd

2,675 (6.6%)

David Proctor (SLP)

885 (2.2%)

  Alan Williams
  • Jones, Barry (1997). "The 1997 general election in Wales". Regional & Federal Studies. 7 (3): 173–175. doi:10.1080/13597569708421023. ISSN 1359-7566.

References

  1. ^ a b "General election results 1 May 1997". 9 May 1997. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  2. ^ Cowling, David (8 May 2001). "The landslide of 1997". BBC News. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  3. ^ "It ain't over". The Economist. 8 May 1997. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved 3 March 2022.
  4. ^ Black, Jeremy (2004). Britain Since the Seventies: Politics and Society in the Consumer Age. Reaktion Books. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-86189-201-0.
  5. ^ "First Welsh MP for Tories for 12 years". Evening Standard. 5 May 2005. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  6. ^ "General election results 1 May 1997". 9 May 1997. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  7. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Brecon & Radnorshire". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  8. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Carmarthen East & Dinefwr". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  9. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  10. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Ceredigion". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  11. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Llanelli". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  12. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Meirionnydd Nant Conwy". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  13. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Montgomeryshire". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  14. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Preseli Pembrokeshire". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  15. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Alyn & Deeside". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  16. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Caernarfon". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  17. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Conwy". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  18. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Clwyd South". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  19. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Clwyd West". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  20. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Delyn". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  21. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Vale of Clwyd". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  22. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Wrexham". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  23. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Ynys Mon". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  24. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Cardiff Central". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  25. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Cardiff North". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  26. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Cardiff South & Penarth". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  27. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Cardiff West". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  28. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Cynon Valley". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  29. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Pontypridd". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  30. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Rhondda". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  31. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Vale of Glamorgan". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  32. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Blaenau Gwent". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  33. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Caerphilly". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  34. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Islwyn". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  35. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Merthyr Tydfil & Rhymney". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  36. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Monmouth". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  37. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Newport East". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  38. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Newport West". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  39. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Torfaen". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  40. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Aberavon". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  41. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Bridgend". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  42. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Gower". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  43. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Neath". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  44. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Ogmore". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  45. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Swansea East". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  46. ^ "BBC NEWS | VOTE 2001 | RESULTS & CONSTITUENCIES | Swansea West". news.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 6 March 2023.