Whilst its Derby North counterpart has spent recent history cultivating its image as a "weathervane" constituency, Derby South has managed the opposite, and has in the recent past been fairly loyal to Labour.
It has been represented since 1983 by Margaret Beckett, whose most recent government post was Leader of the House of Commons. Her first margin was just 421 votes, achieved against the backdrop of Mrs Thatcher's greatest victory.
Since then, Mrs Beckett has built up her vote at every successive election to an impressive 16,106 in 1997, reminding many of the majorities Labour used to secure with veteran peace campaigner Philip Noel-Baker and then from 1970 to 1983, under Walter Johnson.
The constituency features the mainstay of Derby’s industry, council estates and ethnic minorities. Rolls Royce’s aero-engine factory and the city’s famous railway works are the major employers in Derby South, with 27.12% of the workforce in skilled manual occupations and with managerial and technical workers second on 25.48%. Unemployment is above average.
Many constituents of Derby South bought their council houses and the majority of homes are owner-occupied with less than a quarter of the electorate living in council accommodation.