Whats happening in the Calder Valley?
Calder Valley is a highly-marginal seat, which Labour held by just 1,367 votes at the last general election in 2005. The constituency takes in all of the Calderdale Council area except Halifax, including Brighouse, Elland, Rastrick, Hipperholme, Lightcliffe, Greetland and Stainland. Current MP Chris McCafferty is standing down after 13 years in the House of Commons. Steph Booth, who is married to Tony Blair’s father-in-law, will attempt to hold the seat for Labour. Craig Whittaker of Rastrick is running for the Conservatives. Calder Valley has swung between Labour and the Tories over the decades and has a history of very tight results. Labour won the seat in 1959 by 47 votes while the Conservatives triumphed in 1970 with a majority of 59.
