Preseli Pembrokeshire is based on the same area as the former district council of the same name. It covers the ferry port of Fishguard, the oil port of Milford Haven and the county town of Haverfordwest. The constituency is largely rural with a significant number of Welsh speaking villages in the northern and north western parts of the constituency. Prior to the 1997 election, part of the new seat (Ceredigion and Pembroke North) had been held by Plaid Cymru, whilst the other part (Pembroke) was held by Labour. Jackie Lawrence easily won the new seat for Labour in 1997, with a majority of over 8,000.

In the Assembly elections Labour retained a substantial majority (2,738 or 9.4%) but the party that had gained most from Labour's lost vote was Plaid Cymru. They had come from fourth position in 1997 to second with almost 25% of the vote. At the same time the Conservative vote fell from 27.7 to 22.6%, putting them in third position, though they did top the poll at the Euro elections a month later when it was Labour who finished third. Once again a previously two-way seat could now potentially go one of three ways; the Conservative candidate is Stephen Crabb.

Parliamentary Statistics pre-Election 2001

Labour majority 8,736 (20.6%)  Conservative target 163
MP Jackie Lawrence
1997 (Turnout 78.4%)
Labour	20,477	48.3%
Conservative	11,741	27.7%
Liberal Democrat	5,527	13.0%
Plaid Cymru	2,683	6.3%
Referendum	1,574	3.7%
Green	401	0.9%

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For Preseli Pembrokeshire 2001 Election result - click here.