Politics of Bristol
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The city of Bristol, England, is a unitary authority, represented by four Members of Parliament. The overall trend of both local and national representation is left of centre, favouring the Labour Party and Liberal Democrats. The city also has a tradition of local activism, with environmental issues and sustainable transport being prominent issues in the city.
Contents |
[edit] City Council
[edit] Composition and Control
Bristol City Council, which meets at the Council House is elected by thirds and there are two Councillors per ward, each serving a 4 year term. Wards never have both Councillors up at the same time, so effectively 2/3 of the wards are up each election. The Council has long been dominated by the Labour Party, but recently the Liberal Democrat party has grown strong in the city and took minority control of the Council at the 2005 election. The Council Leader is Liberal Democrat Councillor Barbara Janke and the Lord Mayor is Conservative Councillor Peter Abraham.
- Partisan Composition
| Election Year | Labour | Lib Dem | Conservative | Green |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present (As of 5 May 2006) | 23 | 33 | 13 | 1 |
| 2006 | 23 | 33 | 13 | 1 |
| 2005 | 27 | 32 | 11 | |
| 2003 | 31 | 28 | 11 | |
| 2002 | 36 | 24 | 10 | |
| 2001 | 40 | 21 | 9 | |
| 1999 | 37 | 23 | 10 | |
| 1998 | 46 | 16 | 6 | |
| 1997 | 51 | 12 | 5 | |
| 1995 | 53 | 9 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 41 | 8 | 19 | |
| 1992 | 40 | 6 | 22 | |
| 1991 | 45 | 5 | 18 | |
| 1990 | 43 | 4 | 21 | |
| 1988 | 39 | 5 | 24 | |
| 1987 | 37 | 6 | 25 | |
| 1986 | 35 | 7 | 26 | |
| 1984 | 33 | 6 | 29 | |
| 1983 | 30 | 6 | 32 | |
| 1979* | 50 | 3 | 28 | |
| 1976 | 47 | 3 | 34 | |
| 1973 | 56 | 3 | 25 |
Source [1] (* Eastville election was deferred due to the death of a candidate)
- Partisan Control
- 2005 – Present: Liberal Democrat Minority
- 2004 – 2005: Labour Minority
- 2003 – 2004: All-party administration
- 1996 – 2003: Labour
1 April 1996: Bristol changes from District to Unitary authority (Avon abolished)
- 1986 – 1996: Labour
- 1984 – 1986: Labour Minority
- 1983 – 1984: Conservative Minority
- 1974 – 1983: Labour
1 April 1974: Bristol changes from County borough to District (Avon created)
- ? – 1974: "Independents" and "Citizens Party" (e.g. 1971: Independents 74, Labour 38)
[edit] Individual Results
[edit] Westminster representation
Bristol has 4 Westminster constituencies (West, East, South and North-west), and parts of the built-up area outside the administrative city are also covered by Kingswood and Northavon. The current boundaries, based on the former county of Avon, have been reviewed, and from the next election the four Bristol constituencies will be entirely within the city boundaries, and a new Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency will cover the built-up area of South Gloucestershire.
- Partisan Composition
| Constituency | Member | Party |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol East | Kerry McCarthy | Labour Party |
| Bristol North-west | Doug Naysmith | Labour Party |
| Bristol South | Dawn Primarolo | Labour Party |
| Bristol West | Stephen Williams | Liberal Democrat |
| Kingswood | Roger Berry | Labour Party |
| Northavon | Steve Webb | Liberal Democrat |
