Glastonbury and Somerton poised for intense electoral battle in upcoming General Election

By Laura Linham

24th May 2024 | General Election 2024

As parties ramp up their campaigns, Glastonbury and Somerton is shaping up as one of the key focal points for both regional and national political strategies. (File photo)
As parties ramp up their campaigns, Glastonbury and Somerton is shaping up as one of the key focal points for both regional and national political strategies. (File photo)

In the wake of parliamentary boundary changes, Somerset's representation in Westminster is set to increase from five to seven constituencies, a move formalised by Parliament in March following extensive public consultation and recommendations from the Boundary Commission for England.

Among the new constituencies is Glastonbury and Somerton, carved largely from the existing Somerton and Frome seat and now including the towns of Bruton, Castle Cary, Langport, Somerton, and Wincanton, as well as Glastonbury, Street, and the popular Ham Hill area.

Electoral predictions by Electoral Calculus Ltd for Glastonbury and Somerton suggest a highly competitive race, with the Liberal Democrats projected to lead with 43.9% of the vote, followed by the Conservatives at 27.8%. This new constituency has shown varying levels of support across its geography, with the Conservatives likely to hold strong in Wincanton while the Liberal Democrats are expected to gain traction in the western sections.

The diverse candidate list for the upcoming election reflects the constituency's dynamic political environment. The Liberal Democrats have nominated Sarah Dyke, the recent by-election victor in Somerton and Frome, signalling strong intent to consolidate their presence. The Conservatives have put forward Faye Purbrick, aiming to retain their historical influence in the area. Other candidates include Tom Carter for Reform UK, Jon Cousins for the Green Party, Angela Henderson representing the Workers Party of Britain, and Hal Hooberman for Labour.

The electoral outlook in Glastonbury and Somerton is further complicated by the persistent support for the Green Party, particularly strong in Glastonbury itself. This could potentially split the left-leaning vote, making the constituency a complex mosaic of political preferences and making the outcome of the general election hard to predict.

As parties ramp up their campaigns, Glastonbury and Somerton is shaping up as one of the key focal points for both regional and national political strategies, with its outcome likely to influence the broader political landscape in the newly reorganized Somerset region.

     

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