Traditionally Conservative, and throughout the 1980s a three-way marginal, Labour's breakthrough here came in 1992, with a 6% swing from the Tories.
Jon Owen Jones increased his majority by 11.5% in 1997, as the Liberal Democrats replaced the Conservatives as the main challenge.
In the Assembly Elections, the Liberal Democrats managed to capitalise on the large student vote - partly because of their anti-tuition fees policy - to take the seat from Labour.
With 15 Liberal Democrat councillors in the constituency, they will continue to pose a serious challenge to Labour.
The Conservatives will also continue to challenge, after a strong showing in the June 1999 European elections.
The seat comprises Cardiff's city centre business district and university quarter.
Consequently, it has a high proportion of employees in the service sector, and the highest number of students in any Welsh constituency - based largely in the Cathays area.
It has a broad range of socio-economic groups, from the affluent Cyncoed suburban area of the city, to the traditional working class area of Adamsdown.
It is of note that at the level of local government, the Liberal Democrats have gained support in all of these areas.