Dumfries & Galloway

The Result

Electorate: 116,828
Area (Hectares): 643,903

This mainly rural region lies in the south west of Scotland, stretching along the Solway Firth, from the ferry port of Stranraer in the west to the border with England in the south east. Tourists are attracted to the area by the wonderful scenery but textiles, engineering, forestry, and agriculture, especially dairy farming, also provide employment.

Both parliamentary seats in this region were held by the Conservatives until the last General Election when Labour won Dumfries, and the SNP beat Ian Lang in Galloway & Upper Nithsdale. There is no one party in overall control on the council, at the 1995 local elections independent candidates won 39% of vote. Labour are the next biggest group, winning 25% of the vote.

Results of 1979 referendum:

ICM/Scotsman poll published on 22 August 1997:

		Yes		No		Don't know
All Scotland		68%		21%		11%
Borders, Dumfries & Galloway		68%		23%		9%

Question:Should a Scottish Parliament have tax-varying powers?

		Yes		No		Don't know
All Scotland		56%		36%		8%
Borders, Dumfries & Galloway		47%		46%		7%

(Total Sample Size: 1,001, Fieldwork: 19-20 August 1997)