North Wales local elections 2017: Flintshire constituency profile

Flintshire can be described as the gateway to North Wales, with its road and rail links to the English border.

And transport is a big issue in the area. Even though trunk roads are the responsibility of the Welsh Government, improvements to the roads are sure to be of interest to the council as it works to cooperate with other authorities to try and improve the region’s economy.

A Government decision to close the cottage hospital in Flint proved very unpopular locally and may hit the Labour vote in the area.

But the traditionally red-leaning county has seen a big left-wing policy development as the council became the first in Wales to vote to suspend the right to buy in order to protect social housing stock from further reduction.

Current make up of the council:

Conservative: 7, Labour: 34, Independent Alliance: 10, Independents: 6, Liberal Democrat: 6, New Independents: 6, Vacancy: 1

European referendum:

Flintshire voted leave in last summer’s referendum. Brexit won the day by 48,930 votes to 37,867 votes.

Welsh language:

In the last census 19,343 people were recorded as being able to speak Welsh with 127,597 people saying they could not speak the language.

Population:

In the 2011 census the population of the county was 146,940.

The candidates:

There are 141 candidates running for 70 seats in this week’s election. The number of candidate standing for each party is:

Conservative 13, Green 1, Independent 54, Labour 63, Liberal Democrat 7, Plaid Cymru 3.

There are two constituencies covering this council area for both the UK parliament and the Welsh Assembly – Alyn & Deeside, and Delyn.

The General Election 2015 Delyn:

Labour’s David Hanson comfortably retained his Delyn seat which he had held for the last 23 years with 15,187 votes, 41% of the votes cast, beating Conservative candidate Mark Isherwood by 2,930 votes.

Mr Isherwood received 12,257 votes, a total of 33% of those polled.

In third was Ukip’s Nigel Williams with 6,150 votes.

Liberal Democrat Tom Rippeth got 1,380 votes, while Plaid Cymru’s Paul Rowlinson received 1,803 votes, while Green Party candidate Kay Roney received 680 votes.

The General Election 2015 Alyn and Deeside:

Labour’s Mark Tami held onto his seat winning 40% (16,540) of the 41,314 votes cast and increasing his majority from 2010 when he won with a majority of 2,919.

He came 3,343 ahead of Conservative candidate Laura Knightly who received a share of 32% with 13,197 votes.

Liberal Democrats candidate Tudor Jones received 1,733 votes – compared 7,308 in 2010.

Ukip’s Blair Smillie managed 7,260 votes, Plaid Cymru’s Jacqueline Hurst received 1,608 votes and Green Party’s Alasdair Ibbotson 976.

The Welsh Assembly Election 2016 – Delyn:

Labour held on to the seat in Flintshire with newcomer Hannah Blythyn being elected to represent Delyn constituents.

Miss Blythyn received 9,480 of the 23,159 votes cast – 41% overall – beating Conservative candidate Huw Williams by 3,582 votes.

Ukip fought for the Delyn seat for the first time since 2008, but Nigel Williams ony managed third place with 3,794 votes, followed by Plaid Cymru’s Jacqui Hurst with 2,269 votes and Liberal Democrat Tom Rippeth with 1,718 votes.

The Welsh Assembly Election 2016 – Alyn and Deeside:

Labour’s Carl Sargeant was re-elected for his fourth successive term.

He took victory with 9,922 votes – a whopping 47% of the votes cast – beating Conservative Mike Gibbs who got 4,558 votes votes.

The landslide victory saw Mr Sargeant increase his majority from 24.5% in 2011.

In third place was Ukip’s Michelle Brown with 3,765 votes followed by Plaid Cymru’s Jacqui Hurst with 1,944 votes.

Liberal Democrat Peter Williams received 980 votes while the Green Party’s Martin Bennewith got 527 votes.