The general elections of 1987 and 1992 saw Labour's Ann Taylor gain and then hold Dewsbury with very narrow margins - 445 and 634 respectively. In 1997 however, Mrs Taylor consolidated her position with a hugely increased majority of 8,000 votes, although her actual share of the vote rose only by 2%, one of Labour's 20 worst performances in the country.
Some 12.4% of people living in the town of Dewsbury are Asian. The large number of Asian children attending schools has lead to bitter disputes about the state of local education, and race relations have been problematic in the past. In 1997, the British National Party had a measure of success here - its candidate was also called Taylor. Dewsbury was the only constituency outside London's East End where the BNP managed to save their deposit.
The constituency was once almost solely reliant upon the textile industry, but since its decline other industries, most notably chemicals and engineering, have been established to maintain a firm economic base.
One third of the workforce are skilled manual employees, and there is a relatively low proportion of managerial/technical and professional workers. A quarter of homes are rented from the council.