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Gosport

This South Coast Hampshire constituency is regarded as safe Tory territory, although it includes some stark social divisions, notably the large council estate of Rowner, reputedly one of the most deprived areas in the United Kingdom.

But the presence of the Royal Naval base is helpful to the Tories. Sir Peter Viggers, a qualified jet pilot, lawyer and banker, is retiring at this election after the disclosure that he claimed for a duck house during the expenses row.

Sir Peter, who was a Tory MP for 25 years, acquired a reputation of correctly predicting the dates of future general elections. He secured a majority of 5,700 for the Tories at the last election.