An historically safe Labour seat in Wales's second city. Held by the party since 1922, the Westminster seat has been represented since 1974 by Donald Anderson, who had a massive majority of 66.1% in 1997. This was the third safest Labour seat in Wales in 1997.
The seat contains the city's main industrial areas, the docks and several large council estates.
Swansea, whose electors voted Yes at the 1997 devolution referendum by 3,228 votes, offered to house the National Assembly for Wales in 1998, after negotiations to secure Cardiff's City Hall failed. Swansea's bid also failed a few weeks later, when the then Secretary of State Ron Davies opted for Cardiff Bay.
The Driving and Vehicle Licensing Centre (DVLC), and the Morriston Hospital which has specialist cardiac and burns units, are located in this constituency.