The Constituency of Lancaster & Wyre nestles between Lancaster and the Lune River in the North and Britain's newest City, Preston, in the South. The Seat is a mixed urban and rural area some 250 miles north of London. The population is based around four urban centres: the Market towns of Poulton-Le-Fylde, Garstang, Thornton and the historic City of Lancaster. In all, the electorate is 85,000 strong, - nearly 20,000 larger than the national average.

The people of the Constituency, if not working locally, often commute to Preston, Blackpool and Manchester. Employment in the area is in Farming, Industry (e.g. BAe), Education (e.g. Lancaster University), the NHS and tourism. A strong tradition of small to medium enterprises also helps to contribute to a thriving and diverse community.

History & Monarchy

The constituency area of Lancaster & Wyre has strong connections with the Monarchy dating back over seven hundred years. For much of the past, the Duchy of Lancaster, which merged with the crown in 1399 when Henry Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, became king, ruled the lands separate from the rest of England by way of a Palatine County (only two other exist, Durham and Chester). Today the Duchy of Lancaster is a unique portfolio of land, property and assets held in trust for the Sovereign in his or her role as the Duke of Lancaster. To this day, Her Majesty the Queen takes a keen interest in the running of the Duchy.

One of the Queen's Properties, Lancaster Castle, is one of the oldest prisons in continuos use in Europe. It is full of history and prisoners! The Crown Ccourt attached to the Castle has a history as gruesome as the prison, notorious for passing death sentences and depotation orders to the New World.

The Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie, found a strong welcome in Lancaster and Garstang but unfortunately the Pendle Witches did not, they were hanged at the Goal on August 20th 1612.

The market town of Garstang, situated mid way between Preston and Lancaster also has an important more modern history. At a Public Town Meeting on Thursday 27th April 2000 the people of Garstang voted for Garstang to become the world's first Fairtrade Townthus pioneering the Fairtrade Towns initiative used to promote the FAIRTRADE Mark. There are now 150 Fairtrade Towns in the UK and the idea has spread internationally to Ireland, Belgium, Canada, Scandinavia and the USA.