Labour's 1997 national average swing of 11%, combined with a 1995 "cash for questions" controversy were enough to unseat the Conservative incumbent of Colne Valley, Graham Riddick.
Colne Valley is a prosperous constituency. It has a higher than average proportion of professional and managerial workers, eight out of 10 houses are owner-occupied and unemployment is low.
The old constituency, which existed before 1983, is represented by the Colne and Holme valley communities of Holmefirth, Meltham, Golcar, Linthwaite, Slaithwaite and Marsden.
The western section of Huddersfield, Lindley and Crosland Moor wards have a strong Conservative element, due in part to the area's prosperous textile industry days - now in sharp decline.
Although Holmefirth is the location for the TV programme "Last Of The Summer Wine", Colne Valley is hardly a place for retired folk, with the proportion of residents of pensionable age below the national average.
The area is predominantly white and has a low Asian population compared with other West Yorkshire constituencies.