The success of 'New' Labour at the 1997 general election was particularly marked in England's new towns. In the south, Milton Keynes, Harlow, Stevenage, Crawley and Basildon were all gained, and in the midlands Labour won the newly created constituency of Redditch with a comfortable 6,000 majority.

Although dominated by new housing estates, Redditch itself has become fertile territory for Labour in recent years. In 1995, they took almost 60% of the local election vote, and even in the 1999 council elections, the Labour lead over the Conservatives in the borough of Redditch remained a healthy 8%. However, this result was reversed in the Euro elections a month later, and in May 2000 the Conservatives led in the borough by fully 12%. Conservative support is strongest in West and rural Feckenham, as well as the single ward included from the District of Wychavon (Inkberrow) where Labour polled just 7% in 1999. These rural areas will not provide enough voters for Karen Lumley to count on gaining Redditch for the Conservatives next time, unless the new Labour appeal to new towns proves short-lived.

Parliamentary Statistics pre-Election 2001

Labour majority 6,125 (13.7%)  Conservative target 112
MP Jacqui Smith
1997 (Turnout 73.5%)
Labour	22,280	49.8%
Conservative	16,155	36.1%
Liberal Democrat	4,935	11.0%
Referendum	1,151	2.6%
Other	227	0.5%

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For Redditch 2001 Election result - click here.