The seat is due to be abolished for the
next general election, with its contents being distributed to five neighbouring constituencies.[2]
Boundaries
Map of boundaries 2005-2024
1885–1918: The Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Municipal Wards.[3]
1918–1950: "That portion of the city which is bounded by a line commencing at a point at the intersection of the centre lines of Parliamentary Road and Castle Street, thence southward along the centre line of Castle Street to the centre line of Alexandra Parade, thence eastward along the centre line of Alexandra Parade to the centre line of Firpark Street, thence southward along the centre line of Firpark Street and Ark Lane to the centre line of Duke Street, thence westward along the centre line of Duke Street to the centre line of Sydney Street, thence southward along the centre line of Sydney Street to the centre line of Gallowgate, thence westward along the centre line of Gallowgate to the centre line of Saltmarket, thence southward along the centre line of Saltmarket and Albert Bridge to the centre line of the
River Clyde, thence westward along the centre line of the River Clyde to a point in line with the centre line of McAlpine Street, thence northward along the centre line of McAlpine Street, Pitt Street and Scott Street to the centre line of New City Road, thence south-eastward along the centre line of New City Road and
Cowcaddens to the centre line of
Buchanan Street, thence southward along the centre line of Buchanan Street to the centre line of Parliamentary Road, thence north-eastward along the centre line of Parliamentary Road to the point of commencement."
1950–1975: The Exchange and Townhead wards of the county of the city of Glasgow.[4]
1955–1974: The Cowcaddens and Townhead wards of the county of the city of Glasgow, and part of Exchange ward.[5]
1974–1983: The County of the City of Glasgow wards of Calton, Dalmarnock, Exchange, and Townhead.
1983–1997: The City of Glasgow District electoral divisions of Central/Calton, Kingston/Hutchesontown, and Queen's Park/Crosshill.
2005–2024: The Glasgow City wards of Anderston, Bridgeton/Dalmarnock, Calton, Govanhill, Hutchesontown, Kelvingrove, Kingston, Merchant City, Pollokshields East, Strathbungo, and Toryglen.
From 2005, Glasgow Central was one of seven constituencies covering the
Glasgow City council area, all entirely within the council area. Prior to the 2005 general election, the city area was covered by ten constituencies, of which two straddled boundaries with other council areas.
The constituency takes in Glasgow city centre to the north, including
Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the main railway stations,
Glasgow Cathedral and the
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre. It is home to both Strathclyde and Caledonian Universities, as well as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (formerly the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and still often referred to locally as RSAMD) and the Glasgow School of Art. It also houses a significant number of students attending the
University of Glasgow, which is just over the boundary in
Glasgow North. The large student population is an important factor in elections, and the presence of four degree-awarding institutions as well as a significant portion of the student body of a fifth has led to claims that it is the best-educated constituency in the United Kingdom. The
Merchant City is also here,
yuppie housing built out of the disused cotton and tobacco warehouses. This area is a symbol of the rebirth of the city.
Flora Scarabello was suspended by the Scottish Conservatives after alleged Islamophobia. Because nominations had closed at the time of her suspension, she still appeared on the ballot paper as the Conservative candidate.[13]