It really is

Following yesterday’s analysis of where the signatures come from to support the e-petition on banning driven grouse shooting  (see here for a mention of it in the Guardian today), here is an analysis of English constituencies separated into Conservative and Labour seats, and rural and urban seats.

 

Conservative rural 27.5 signatures

Conservative urban 18.2  signatures

Labour rural 22.2 signatures

Labour urban 15.7 signatures

 

In other words, more people sign the e-petition to ban driven grouse shooting from Conservative than Labour seats, and from rural than urban seats. It looks as though the rural/urban split is important – about as important (roughly) as the Conservative/Labour difference.

Well that pretty much knocks on the head the idea that it is the lefty townies (who are said to know nothing about the countryside) who are the main supporters of this e-petition. It’s Conservative ruralites aided by lefty ruralites who are keenest to see driven grouse shooting banned.  So stick that in your ‘real countryman’ ‘s pipe and smoke it!

Ban driven grouse shooting – please sign whoever you are, whoever you vote for and wherever you live.

 

NOTE: thanks to some of your comments (below) I checked the analysis and found I’d made a mistake – it happens.   The mistake was in copying across the data on rural/urban from another dataset. This makes a difference to the detail – but not actually to the thrust of the argument. Thank you to all who questioned the allocation of rural and urban constituencies – although I had done several checks this error had slipped through. Sorry!  But, it does show the value in showing your data not just the results, so I’m glad I did that!

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And here are the data (see yesterday’s blog for more details)

ALDERSHOT CON 19 Urban
ALDRIDGE-BROWNHILLS CON 8 Urban
ALTRINCHAM AND SALE WEST CON 11 Urban
AMBER VALLEY CON 25 Urban
ARUNDEL & SOUTH DOWNS CON 26 Rural
ASHFIELD LAB 30 Urban
ASHFORD CON 19 Rural
ASHTON UNDER LYNE LAB 10 Urban
AYLESBURY CON 23 Urban
BANBURY CON 21 Urban
BARKING LAB 11 Urban
BARNSLEY CENTRAL LAB 20 Urban
BARNSLEY EAST LAB 18 Urban
BARROW AND FURNESS LAB 25 Rural
BASILDON AND BILLERICAY CON 8 Urban
BASINGSTOKE CON 19 Urban
BASSETLAW LAB 28 Rural
BATH CON 17 Urban
BATLEY AND SPEN LAB 20 Urban
BATTERSEA CON 9 Urban
BEACONSFIELD CON 11 Rural
BECKENHAM CON 8 Urban
BEDFORD CON 20 Urban
BERMONDSEY OLD SOUTHWARK LAB 11 Urban
BERWICK UPON TWEED CON 24 Rural
BETHNAL GREEN & BOW LAB 9 Urban
BEVERLEY AND HOLDERNESS CON 31 Rural
BEXHILL AND BATTLE CON 24 Rural
BEXLEYHEATH AND CRAYFORD CON 6 Urban
BIRKENHEAD LAB 11 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, EDGBASTON LAB 7 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, ERDINGTON LAB 11 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, HODGE HILL LAB 5 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, LADYWOOD LAB 10 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, NORTHFIELD LAB 10 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, PERRY BARR LAB 8 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, SELLY OAK LAB 7 Urban
BIRMINGHAM, YARDLEY LAB 16 Urban
BIRMNGHAM, HALL GREEN LAB 8 Urban
BISHOP AUCKLAND LAB 19 Rural
BLACKBURN LAB 12 Urban
BLACKLEY AND BROUGHTON LAB 6 Urban
BLACKPOOL NORTH AND CLEVELEYS CON 20 Urban
BLACKPOOL SOUTH LAB 13 Urban
BLAYDON LAB 14 Urban
BLYTH VALLEY LAB 8 Rural
BOGNOR REGIS AND LITTLEHAMPTON CON 25 Urban
BOLSOVER LAB 17 Rural
BOLTON NORTH EAST LAB 24 Urban
BOLTON SOUTH EAST LAB 7 Urban
BOLTON WEST CON 20 Urban
BOOTLE LAB 19 Urban
BOSTON AND SKEGNESS CON 10 Rural
BOSWORTH CON 19 Urban
BOURNEMOUTH EAST CON 24 Urban
BOURNEMOUTH WEST CON 17 Urban
BRACKNELL CON 13 Urban
BRADFORD EAST LAB 7 Urban
BRADFORD SOUTH LAB 8 Urban
BRADFORD WEST LAB 6 Urban
BRAINTREE CON 18 Rural
BRENT CENTRAL LAB 11 Urban
BRENT NORTH LAB 3 Urban
BRENTFORD AND ISLEWORTH LAB 17 Urban
BRENTWOOD AND ONGAR CON 14 Rural
BRIDGWATER AND WEST SOMERSET CON 37 Rural
BRIGG AND GOOLE CON 27 Rural
BRIGHTON, KEMPTOWN CON 30 Urban
BRIGHTON, PAVILION GREEN 37 Urban
BRISTOL EAST LAB 24 Urban
BRISTOL NORTH WEST CON 21 Urban
BRISTOL SOUTH LAB 27 Urban
BRISTOL WEST LAB 30 Urban
BROADLAND CON 40 Rural
BROMLEY AND CHISLEHURST CON 14 Urban
BROMSGROVE CON 24 Urban
BROXBOURNE CON 14 Urban
BROXTOWE CON 24 Urban
BUCKINGHAM CON 31 Rural
BURNLEY LAB 20 Urban
BURTON CON 13 Urban
BURY NORTH CON 14 Urban
BURY SOUTH LAB 21 Urban
BURY ST EDMONDS CON 35 Rural
CALDER VALLEY CON 57 Rural
CAMBERWELL & PECKHAM LAB 13 Urban
CAMBORNE AND REDRUTH CON 24 Rural
CAMBRIDGE LAB 35 Urban
CANNOCK CHASE CON 6 Rural
CANTERBURY CON 27 Urban
CARLISLE CON 31 Urban
CARSHALTON AND WALLINGTON LIB DEM 9 Urban
CASTLE POINT CON 13 Urban
CENTRAL DEVON CON 32 Rural
CENTRAL SUFFOLK AND NORTH IPSWICH CON 37 Rural
CHARNWOOD CON 8 Urban
CHATHAM AND AYLESFORD CON 12 Urban
CHEADLE CON 21 Urban
CHELMSFORD CON 18 Urban
CHELSEA AND FULHAM CON 7 Urban
CHELTENHAM CON 21 Urban
CHESHAM AND AMERSHAM CON 24 Rural
CHESTERFIELD LAB 24 Urban
CHICHESTER CON 21 Rural
CHINGFORD AND WOODLAND GREEN CON 13 Urban
CHIPPENHAM CON 32 Rural
CHIPPING BARNET CON 9 Urban
CHORLEY LAB 17 Rural
CHRISTCHURCH CON 22 Rural
CITIES OF LONDON & WESTMINSTER CON 15 Urban
CITY OF CHESTER LAB 21 Urban
CITY OF DURHAM LAB 16 Rural
CLACTON UKIP 15 Rural
CLEETHORPES CON 25 Rural
COLCHESTER CON 19 Urban
COLNE VALLEY CON 25 Urban
CONGLETON LAB 25 Rural
COPELAND LAB 53 Rural
CORBY CON 26 Rural
COVENTRY NORTH EAST LAB 7 Urban
COVENTRY NORTH WEST LAB 9 Urban
COVENTRY SOUTH LAB 16 Urban
CRAWLEY CON 17 Urban
CREWE AND NANTWICH CON 22 Urban
CROYDON CENTRAL CON 11 Urban
CROYDON NORTH LAB 11 Urban
CROYDON SOUTH CON 23 Urban
DAGENHAM AND RAINHAM LAB 5 Urban
DARLINGTON LAB 26 Urban
DARTFORD CON 14 Urban
DAVENTRY CON 27 Rural
DENTON AND REDDISH LAB 17 Urban
DERBY NORTH CON 16 Urban
DERBY SOUTH LAB 18 Urban
DERBYSHIRE DALES CON 35 Rural
DEVIZES CON 30 Rural
DEWSBURY LAB 15 Urban
DON VALLEY LAB 12 Urban
DONCASTER CENTRAL LAB 18 Urban
DONCASTER NORTH LAB 15 Urban
DOVER CON 13 Rural
DUDLEY NORTH LAB 7 Urban
DUDLEY SOUTH CON 12 Urban
DULWICH AND WEST NORWOOD LAB 25 Urban
EALING CENTRAL AND ACTON LAB 7 Urban
EALING NORTH LAB 8 Urban
EALING, SOUTHALL LAB 5 Urban
EASINGTON LAB 8 Rural
EAST DEVON CON 26 Rural
EAST HAM LAB 3 Urban
EAST HAMPSHIRE CON 22 Rural
EAST SURREY CON 17 Rural
EAST WORTHING AND SHOREHAM CON 30 Urban
EAST YORKSHIRE CON 42 Rural
EASTBOURNE CON 20 Urban
EASTLEIGH CON 23 Rural
EDDISBURY CON 24 Rural
EDMONTON LAB 3 Urban
ELLESMERE PORT AND NESTON LAB 22 Urban
ELMET AND ROTHWELL CON 30 Rural
ELTHAM LAB 14 Urban
ENFIELD NORTH LAB 6 Urban
ENFIELD, SOUTHGATE CON 11 Urban
EPPING FOREST CON 12 Urban
EPSOM AND EWELL CON 15 Urban
EREWASH CON 21 Urban
ERITH AND THAMESMEAD LAB 19 Urban
ESHER AND WALTON CON 17 Urban
EXETER LAB 33 Urban
FAREHAM CON 21 Urban
FAVERSHAM AND MID KENT CON 17 Rural
FELTHAM AND HESTON LAB 6 Urban
FILTON AND BRADLEY STOKE CON 26 Urban
FINCHLEY AND GOLDERS GREEN CON 13 Urban
FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE CON 29 Rural
FOREST OF DEAN CON 25 Rural
FYLDE CON 27 Rural
GAINSBOROUGH CON 26 Rural
GARSTON AND HALEWOOD LAB 24 Urban
GATESHEAD LAB 8 Urban
GEDLING LAB 27 Urban
GILLINGHAM AND RAINHAM CON 13 Urban
GLOUCESTER CON 26 Urban
GOSPORT CON 17 Urban
GRANTHAM AND STAMFORD CON 29 Rural
GRAVESHAM CON 12 Urban
GREAT GRIMSBY LAB 9 Urban
GREAT YARMOUTH CON 31 Urban
GREENWICH & WOOLWICH LAB 17 Urban
GUILDFORD CON 30 Urban
HACKNEY NORTH AND STOKE NEWINGTON LAB 22 Urban
HACKNEY SOUTH AND SHOREDITCH LAB 11 Urban
HALESOWEN AND ROWLEY REGIS CON 13 Urban
HALIFAX LAB 19 Urban
HALTEMPRICE AND HOWDEN CON 12 Rural
HALTON LAB 19 Urban
HAMMERSMITH LAB 17 Urban
HAMPSTEAD AND KILBURN LAB 10 Urban
HARBOROUGH CON 10 Rural
HARLOW CON 13 Urban
HARROGATE & KNARESBOROUGH CON 39 Urban
HARROW EAST CON 5 Urban
HARROW WEST LAB 9 Urban
HARTLEPOOL LAB 11 Urban
HARWICH & NORTH ESSEX CON 26 Rural
HASTINGS AND RYE CON 25 Urban
HAVANT CON 15 Urban
HAYES AND HARLINGTON LAB 3 Urban
HAZEL GROVE CON 30 Urban
HEMEL HEMPSTEAD CON 20 Urban
HEMSWORTH LAB 12 Rural
HENDON CON 11 Urban
HENLEY CON 28 Rural
HEREFORD AND SOUTH HEREFORDSHIRE CON 21 Rural
HERTFORD AND STORTFORD CON 20 Urban
HERTSMERE CON 11 Rural
HEXHAM CON 42 Rural
HEYWOOD AND MIDDLETON LAB 12 Urban
HIGH PEAK CON 69 Rural
HITCHIN AND HARPENDON CON 24 Rural
HOLBORN AND ST PANCRAS LAB 43 Urban
HORNCHURCH AND UPMINSTER CON 15 Urban
HORNSEY AND WOOD GREEN LAB 34 Urban
HORSHAM CON 24 Rural
HOUGHTON AND SUNDERLAND SOUTH LAB 17 Urban
HOVE LAB 40 Urban
HUDDERSFIELD LAB 18 Urban
HUNTINGDON CON 22 Rural
HYNDBURN LAB 11 Urban
ILFORD NORTH LAB 9 Urban
ILFORD SOUTH LAB 4 Urban
IPSWICH CON 38 Urban
ISLE OF WIGHT CON 84 Rural
ISLINGTON NORTH LAB 12 Urban
ISLINGTON SOUTH AND FINSBURY LAB 20 Urban
JARROW LAB 17 Urban
KEIGHLEY CON 34 Rural
KENILWORTH AND SOUTHAM CON 21 Rural
KENSINGTON CON 11 Urban
KETTERING CON 24 Urban
KINGSTON & SURBITON CON 19 Urban
KINGSTON UPON HULL EAST LAB 17 Urban
KINGSTON UPON HULL NORTH LAB 19 Urban
KINGSTON UPON HULL WEST AND HESSLE LAB 8 Urban
KINGSWOOD CON 12 Urban
KNOWSLEY LAB 11 Urban
LANCASTER AND FLEETWOOD LAB 43 Urban
LEEDS CENTRAL LAB 7 Urban
LEEDS EAST LAB 13 Urban
LEEDS NORTH EAST LAB 28 Urban
LEEDS NORTH WEST LIB DEM 22 Urban
LEEEDS WEST LAB 27 Urban
LEICESTER EAST LAB 7 Urban
LEICESTER SOUTH LAB 6 Urban
LEICESTER WEST LAB 14 Urban
LEIGH LAB 16 Urban
LEWES CON 30 Rural
LEWISHAM EAST LAB 16 Urban
LEWISHAM WEST AND PENGE LAB 20 Urban
LEWISHAM, DEPTFORD LAB 22 Urban
LEYTON AND WANSTEAD LAB 15 Urban
LICHFIELD CON 32 Rural
LINCOLN CON 26 Urban
LIVERPOOL, RIVERSIDE LAB 26 Urban
LIVERPOOL, WALTON LAB 8 Urban
LIVERPOOL, WAVERTREE LAB 16 Urban
LIVERPOOL, WEST DERBY LAB 16 Urban
LOUGHBOROUGH CON 9 Urban
LOUTH AND HORNCASTLE CON 17 Rural
LUDLOW CON 44 Rural
LUTON NORTH LAB 11 Urban
LUTON SOUTH LAB 13 Urban
MACCLESFIELD CON 36 Urban
MAIDENHEAD CON 24 Urban
MAIDSTONE AND THE WEALD CON 23 Rural
MAKERFIELD LAB 15 Urban
MALDON CON 28 Rural
MANCHESTER CENTRAL LAB 13 Urban
MANCHESTER WITHINGTON LAB 27 Urban
MANCHESTER, GORTON LAB 21 Urban
MANSFIELD LAB 17 Urban
MEON VALLEY CON 14 Rural
MID BEDFORDSHIRE CON 25 Urban
MID DERBYSHIRE CON 15 Rural
MID DORSET AND NORTH POOLE CON 25 Rural
MID NORFOLK CON 31 Rural
MID SUSSEX CON 29 Rural
MID WORCESTERSHIRE CON 16 Rural
MID WORCESTERSHIRE CON 16 Rural
MIDDLESBOROUGH LAB 6 Urban
MIDDLESBOROUGH SOUTH AND EAST CLEVELAND LAB 29 Rural
MILTON KEYNES NORTH CON 14 Urban
MILTON KEYNES SOUTH CON 13 Urban
MITCHAM AND MORDEN LAB 6 Urban
MOLE VALLEY CON 26 Rural
MORECAMBE AND LUNESDALE CON 25 Urban
MORLEY AND OUTWOOD CON 22 Urban
NEW FOREST EAST CON 25 Urban
NEW FOREST WEST CON 21 Rural
NEWARK CON 15 Rural
NEWBURY CON 23 Rural
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE CENTRAL LAB 9 Urban
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE EAST LAB 21 Urban
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NORTH LAB 14 Urban
NEWCASTLE-UNDER-LYME LAB 12 Urban
NEWTON ABBOT CON 16 Rural
NORMANTION, POTEFRACT AND CASTLEFORD LAB 13 Rural
NORTH CORNWALL CON 18 Rural
NORTH DEVON CON 29 Rural
NORTH DORSET CON 28 Rural
NORTH DURHAM LAB 17 Rural
NORTH EAST BEDFORDSHIRE CON 42 Rural
NORTH EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE CON 25 Rural
NORTH EAST DERBYSHIRE LAB 18 Rural
NORTH EAST HAMPSHIRE CON 28 Rural
NORTH EAST HERTFORDSHIRE CON 20 Rural
NORTH EAST SOMERSET CON 23 Rural
NORTH HEREFORDSHIRE CON 23 Rural
NORTH NORFOLK LIB DEM 68 Rural
NORTH SHROPSHIRE CON 35 Rural
NORTH SOMERSET CON 34 Rural
NORTH SWINDON CON 21 Urban
NORTH THANET CON 12 Urban
NORTH TYNESIDE LAB 27 Urban
NORTH WARWICKSHIRE CON 13 Rural
NORTH WEST CAMBRIDGESHIRE CON 30 Rural
NORTH WEST DURHAM LAB 12 Rural
NORTH WEST HAMPSHIRE CON 26 Rural
NORTH WEST LEICESTERSHIRE CON 13 Rural
NORTH WEST NORFOLK CON 44 Rural
NORTH WILTSHIRE CON 32 Rural
NORTHAMPTON NORTH CON 16 Urban
NORTHAMPTON SOUTH CON 22 Urban
NORWICH NORTH CON 28 Urban
NORWICH SOUTH LAB 46 Urban
NOTTINGHAM EAST LAB 18 Urban
NOTTINGHAM NORTH LAB 12 Urban
NOTTINGHAM SOUTH LAB 12 Urban
NUNEATON CON 6 Urban
OLD BEXLEY AND SIDCUP CON 12 Urban
OLDHAM EAST AND SADDLEWORTH LAB 14 Urban
OLDHAM WEST AND ROYTON LAB 9 Urban
ORPINGTON CON 8 Urban
OXFORD EAST LAB 45 Urban
OXFORD WEST AND ABINDON CON 41 Urban
PENDLE CON 9 Urban
PENISTONE AND STOCKBRIDGE LAB 30 Urban
PENRITH & THE BORDER CON 83 Rural
PETERBOROUGH CON 18 Urban
PLYMOUTH, MOOR VIEW CON 12 Urban
PLYMOUTH, SUTTON AND DEVONPORT CON 20 Urban
POOLE CON 21 Urban
POPLAR AND LIMEHOUSE LAB 8 Urban
PORTSMOUTH NORTH CON 12 Urban
PORTSMOUTH SOUTH CON 21 Urban
PRESTON LAB 15 Urban
PUDSEY CON 19 Urban
PUTNEY CON 11 Urban
RAYLEIGH AND WICKFORD CON 12 Urban
READING EAST CON 25 Urban
READING WEST CON 15 Urban
REDCAR LAB 14 Urban
REDDITCH CON 17 Urban
REIGATE CON 18 Urban
RIBBLE VALLEY CON 37 Rural
RICHMOND (YORKS) CON 46 Rural
RICHMOND PARK CON 27 Urban
ROCHDALE LAB 15 Urban
ROCHESTER & STROOD CON 13 Urban
ROCHFORD AND SOUTHEND EAST CON 16 Urban
ROMFORD CON 11 Urban
ROMSEY AND SOUTHAMPTON NORTH CON 25 Rural
ROSSENDALE AND DARWEN CON 21 Urban
ROTHER VALLEY LAB 17 Urban
ROTHERHAM LAB 9 Urban
RUGBY CON 13 Urban
RUISLIP, NORTHWOOD AND PINNER CON 9 Urban
RUNNEYMEDE & WEYBRIDGE CON 17 Urban
RUSHCLIFFE CON 29 Rural
RUTLAND AND MELTON CON 28 Rural
SAFFRON WALDEN CON 20 Rural
SALFORD AND ECCLES LAB 17 Urban
SALISBURY CON 23 Rural
SCARBOROUGH & WHITBY CON 33 Rural
SCUNTHORPE LAB 6 Urban
SEDGEFIELD LAB 12 Rural
SEFTON CENTRAL LAB 22 Rural
SELBY AND AINSTY CON 25 Rural
SEVENOAKS CON 17 Rural
SHEFFIELD CENTRAL LAB 36 Urban
SHEFFIELD SOUTH EAST LAB 13 Urban
SHEFFIELD, BRIGHTSIDE AND HILLSBOROUGH LAB 19 Urban
SHEFFIELD, HALLAM LIB DEM 36 Urban
SHEFFIELD, HEELEY LAB 23 Urban
SHERWOOD CON 21 Rural
SHIPLEY CON 30 Urban
SHREWSBURY AND ATCHAM CON 25 Urban
SITTINGBOURNE AND SHEPPEY CON 10 Rural
SKIPTON AND RIPON CON 43 Rural
SLEAFORD AND NORTH HYKEHAM CON 20 Rural
SLOUGH LAB 10 Urban
SOLIHULL CON 12 Urban
SOMERTON AND FROME CON 25 Rural
SOUTH BASILDON AND EAST THURROCK CON 15 Urban
SOUTH CAMBRIDGESHIRE CON 55 Rural
SOUTH DERBYSHIRE CON 22 Rural
SOUTH DORSET CON 31 Rural
SOUTH EAST CAMBRIDGESHIRE CON 38 Rural
SOUTH EAST CORNWALL CON 19 Rural
SOUTH HOLLAND AND THE DEEPINGS CON 17 Rural
SOUTH LEICESTERSHIRE CON 16 Rural
SOUTH NORFOLK CON 45 Rural
SOUTH NORTHAMPTONSHIRE CON 20 Rural
SOUTH RIBBLE CON 19 Urban
SOUTH SHIELDS LAB 17 Urban
SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE CON 14 Urban
SOUTH SUFFOLK CON 30 Rural
SOUTH SWINDON CON 19 Urban
SOUTH THANET CON 26 Urban
SOUTH WEST BEDFORDSHIRE CON 17 Urban
SOUTH WEST DEVON CON 16 Rural
SOUTH WEST HERTFORDSHIRE CON 18 Rural
SOUTH WEST NORFOLK CON 31 Rural
SOUTH WEST SURREY CON 34 Rural
SOUTH WEST WILTSHIRE CON 29 Rural
SOUTHAMPTON, ITCHEN CON 24 Urban
SOUTHAMPTON, TEST LAB 20 Urban
SOUTHEND WEST CON 14 Urban
SOUTHPORT LIB DEM 20 Urban
SPELTHORNE CON 11 Urban
ST ALBANS CON 21 Urban
ST AUSTELL & NEWQUAY CON 17 Rural
ST HELENS NORTH LAB 13 Rural
ST HELENS SOUTH AND WHISTON LAB 24 Urban
ST IVES CON 37 Rural
STAFFORD CON 18 Urban
STAFFORDSHIRE MOORLANDS CON 28 Rural
STALYBRIDGE AND HYDE LAB 20 Urban
STEVENAGE CON 17 Urban
STOCKPORT LAB 20 Urban
STOCKTON NORTH LAB 8 Urban
STOCKTON SOUTH CON 16 Urban
STOKE-ON-TRENT CENTRAL LAB 14 Urban
STOKE-ON-TRENT NORTH LAB 8 Urban
STOKE-ON-TRENT SOUTH LAB 11 Urban
STONE CON 16 Rural
STOURBRIDGE CON 11 Urban
STRATFORD-ON-AVON CON 21 Rural
STREATHAM LAB 15 Urban
STRETFORD AND URMSTON LAB 28 Urban
STROUD LAB 55 Rural
SUFFOLK COASTAL CON 46 Rural
SUNDERLAND CENTRAL LAB 13 Urban
SURREY HEATH CON 24 Urban
SUTTON AND CHEAM CON 12 Urban
SUTTON COLDFIELD CON 16 Urban
TAMWORTH CON 14 Urban
TATTON CON 20 Rural
TAUNTON DEANE CON 22 Rural
TELFORD CON 10 Urban
TEWKESBURY CON 26 Rural
THE COTSWOLDS CON 37 Rural
THE WREKIN CON 16 Rural
THIRSK & MALTON CON 38 Rural
THORNBURY AND YATE CON 18 Rural
THURROCK CON 16 Urban
TIVERTON AND HONITON CON 25 Rural
TONBRIDGE AND MALLING CON 25 Rural
TOOTING LAB 16 Urban
TORBAY CON 17 Urban
TORRIDGE AND WEST DEVON CON 43 Rural
TOTNES CON 39 Rural
TOTTENHAM LAB 15 Urban
TRURO AND FALMOUTH CON 44 Rural
TUNBRIDGE WELLS CON 18 Rural
TWICKENHAM CON 17 Urban
TYNEMOUTH LAB 23 Urban
UXBRIDGE AND SOUTH RUISLIP CON 8 Urban
VAUXHALL LAB 14 Urban
WAKEFIELD LAB 10 Urban
WALLASEY LAB 26 Urban
WALSALL NORTH LAB 8 Urban
WALSALL SOUTH LAB 18 Urban
WALTHAMSTOW LAB 20 Urban
WANSBECK LAB 29 Rural
WANTAGE CON 37 Rural
WARLEY LAB 5 Urban
WARRINGTON NORTH LAB 25 Urban
WARRINGTON SOUTH CON 15 Urban
WARWICK AND LEAMINGTON CON 15 Urban
WASHINGTON AND SUNDERLAND WEST LAB 14 Urban
WATFORD CON 17 Urban
WAVENEY CON 37 Urban
WEALDEN CON 28 Rural
WEAVER VALE CON 20 Urban
WELLINGBOROUGH CON 21 Urban
WELLS CON 32 Rural
WELWYN HATFIELD CON 20 Urban
WENTWORTH AND DEARNE LAB 12 Urban
WEST BROMWICH EAST LAB 9 Urban
WEST BROMWICH WEST LAB 5 Urban
WEST DORSET CON 49 Rural
WEST HAM LAB 10 Urban
WEST LANCASHIRE LAB 23 Rural
WEST SUFFOLK CON 24 Rural
WEST WORCESTERSHIRE CON 30 Rural
WESTMINSTER NORTH LAB 11 Urban
WESTMORLAND AND LONSDALE LIB DEM 55 Rural
WESTON SUPER MARE CON 29 Urban
WIGAN LAB 18 Urban
WIMBLEDON CON 27 Urban
WINCHESTER CON 22 Urban
WINDSOR CON 13 Urban
WIRRAL SOUTH LAB 18 Urban
WIRRAL WEST LAB 21 Rural
WITHAM CON 21 Rural
WITNEY CON 35 Rural
WOKING CON 20 Urban
WOKINGHAM CON 14 Urban
WOLVERHAMPTON NORTH EAST LAB 8 Urban
WOLVERHAMPTON SOUTH EAST LAB 5 Urban
WOLVERHAMPTON SOUTH WEST LAB 14 Urban
WORCESTER CON 18 Urban
WORKINGTON LAB 41 Rural
WORSLEY AND ECCLES SOUTH LAB 12 Urban
WORTHING WEST CON 26 Urban
WYCOMBE CON 13 Urban
WYRE AND PRESTON NORTH CON 36 Urban
WYRE FOREST CON 26 Rural
WYTHENSHAWE AND SALE EAST LAB 11 Urban
YEOVIL CON 26 Rural
YORK CENTRAL LAB 39 Urban
YORK OUTER CON 30 Rural

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26 Replies to “It really is”

  1. Interesting analysis. But you have no data on individual behaviour, so you cannot rule out the possibility that it is indeed lefties who sign the petition. Plenty of lefties, commies, pinkos, wishy-washy liberals and mithering aunties in Tory constituencies! Maybe the Con/Lab difference is explained by the fact that a disappointed Labour voter in a Tory constituency feels aggrieved at having to put up with a Tory MP, and is therefore more inclined to protest in general, and more inclined to sign the petition. A similar argument could be made concerning urban roots versus “born-and-bred” country people. Let’s have more detailed analysis, or, better still, electoral reform so that we are properly represented in parliament!

    1. Hugh – that’s obviously true as a possibility, but not very likely really. It is a rather convoluted explanation for something that has a simpler one. And I don’t think we can test it at the moment – but if anyone has any ideas then let’s hear them, please.

      1. It would take a lot of work but the postcode analysis of the petition could be done to ward level – and wards have councillors. There is also much ONS information at ward level which might be used as a proxy or interesting to compare in its own right. But the ward level numbers will be small at present.

    2. On the other hand , these people could just be normal everyday people who just happen to be fed up of all the wildlife killing on the moors to keep grouse shooting viable .

    3. Whatever the strengths and weaknesses of the data, it seems to me to be rather more useful and reliable than the oft stated prejudice that “it’s all the work of ignorant leftie townies” that invariably crops up in discussion of these matters. The idea that ‘born-and-bred’ country folk are necessarily the font of great knowledge and wisdom about wildlife is similarly dubious in my experience too. Some are indeed knowledgeable, but so too are those ex-townies who’ve chosen to live in the country. The data unearthed certainly undermines the simplistic ‘blame the townies’ credo pumped out by the pro-shooting lobby.

  2. The main thing that stands out to me is the even spread across the country

    But where does the urban and rural definition come from. My area (urban above) is spread over mainly rural farmland with 4 market towns. Has someone seen a new planning document. It does a higher than average signature rate!

    1. Bob – based on %voters in urban areas.

      There certainly is a wide spread across the country (except in the neighbouring countries of Wales and NI) – we’re all in this together.

  3. Any analysis to determine if there were significant differences between constituencies with grouse moors and those totally remote from them? I note that Richmond (yorks) appears to have an number much greater than the national mean, given that it includes vast moorland areas where this ridiculous practice prevails. Furthermore, I am surprised that it is classed as an urban area.

    1. Jim – might do that some time.

      Constituencies are classified according to where their voters live – not the landscape they display. I am in an urban Corby because most people in the cosntituency live in Corby (and raunds and Oundle and Thrapston) rather than in the fields that stretch across the constituency.

    2. Jim – and now it is properly classed as rural. My error now corrected. thank you for your scepticism that partly persuaded me to re-check!

  4. I am just cheered by the possibility that the CA is not representing its constituency! What wonderful spin.

    I don’t suppose you have tried or are able to look at the data that came from the previous petition?

  5. Good to see 37 signatures from Waveny; our MP, Peter Aldous, really has no idea about conservation; he was pushing a scheme to feed contraceptives to gulls to stop them annoying locals, even before the recent fuss in the press.

    1. This conjured up a bizarre image of a gull with a condom on it’s head. A bit like Steve Bell’s caricature of David Cameron in the Gruniard!

  6. I just wonder who classified these constituencies as rural. Looking at a map Ipswich (listed as Con Rural) is just a ring round Ipswich. The population density must be massive compared to Rural Suffolk Coastal and South Suffolk which are next to it. Also on the maps I looked at it tends to look pink compared to the blue of the other two.

    1. Andrew – Ipswich is blue – its MP is young Mr Gummer (but I am sure there may be some errors in the list (although I am sure there aren’t too many)). But you are right about it being urban – an error on my part (I expect there are a few more – but not enough to change the overall picture)

      1. I think quite a lot of the Labour seats, at least, are incorrectly classified as rural. Bethnal Green & Bow and Camberwell & Peckham, for example, are both definitely urban, inner London constituencies, and there are a lot more classified as rural where the names suggest they’re probably largely urban – Brighton Pavilion, Bootle, Birmingham Hill Green and Cambridge just among the B’s and C’s. I’m sure this won’t change the overall picture, but it might be worth correcting the errors so the pro-shooting lobby can’t say your argument is based on flawed data.

        1. John – prompted by previous comments, I have done jsut that. the blog is now updated. Thanks.

    2. Andrew – have another look. Updated and corrected. Partly thanks to your comment. results still show that it isn’t the lefty townies. Many thanks.

  7. Fascinating Mark. I hadn’t previously acknowledged that respect of law & order and leaning to the common-good for our environment was so dependent on our post code 🙂 As I wasn’t born and brought up in a far-flung upland hamlet cut off from civilization from a good part of the farming season, I guess there can be no chance that I could ever know what I’m talking about when it comes to science or caring for whole ecosystems as well as the law – or at least as some pro-Grousers prefer to tell us anyway.

  8. Well I was born, bred, grew up, and have lived and worked in a rural area all my life. I now live down a cart track. If I had £10 for every time I’ve been accused of being a Townie who knows nothing about the countryside by some rich retired ex Londoner I could afford to buy the mansion next door. Oh, wait a minute, no I couldn’t, a rich director of a major housebuilding company l lives there and and he and his ilk have pushed up prices so much I still couldn’t afford it after all.

    The whole Townie/Countryside generalisation is simply a way of dismissing anyone who the speaker happens to disagree with about whatever the topic of conversation happens to be at the time. I am reminded of the NFU official who objected to Beaver reintroduction on the grounds that they would eat all the fish. Postcode is no guarantee of wisdom either way.

  9. The ‘class warfare’ and the ‘townie’ jibes are convenient fictions that allow the likes of the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail to take a lazy swing at conservationists rather than addressing the actual issues. Sadly, they won’t let the facts stand in the way of this.
    Those peddling the class warfare trope should perhaps explain why pigeon keepers – rightly or wrongly, usually regarded as a working class demographic – also see the RSPB as a hostile adversary.

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