IN 72 hours the nation will know who has the keys to Number 10 days before Brexit negotiations formally begin.

But, despite the country going to the polls on Thursday, many voters remain split on their political preference – both on a national and local front.

Labour's Helen Jones will defend an 8,923 majority in Warrington North, while Tory David Mowat will defend his 2,750 in Warrington South.

Putting aside the usual political jargon which floods any election campaign, there seems to be – for the first time in years – a general belief among the borough's diehard Labour and Tory supporters that their party can return two MPs to turn the town 'red' or 'blue'.

Mrs Jones has survived five general elections during her 20-year term in what has been one of the safest seats in the country.

Prior to her first election success in May 1997, the seat was held by Labour's Doug Hoyle from 1983 – the year the seat was introduced.

From 1832 to 1983, 'Warrington' was one of the UK's parliamentary constituencies and only returned one MP.

It covered the central part of the town of Warrington in Lancashire, as well as sections of the surrounding area.

In 1983, the constituency was abolished and replaced by Warrington North and Warrington South.

From 1945 to 1981, Labour's dominance in the town was rampant, with the party winning each election during the 36-year period.

To find the last time any other party won the seat, voters have to rewind the history books back to 1935 – more than 81 years ago.

The Conservatives secured another, albeit reduced, majority in the 1935 election – four years after winning landslide, with 470 seats, after Labour support collapsed at polling stations.

From 1832 to 1892 there were five Conservatives and three Liberal Party politicians elected as Warrington MP.

In 1906, Arthur Crosfield gained the seat for the Liberals from Conservative Robert Pierpoint, who held it since 1892.

Thereafter, up until 1945, there were four Conservatives and two Labour MPs representing residents.

One of the standout elections was, of course, the historic Warrington by-election in July 1981.

It was caused after Labour MP Thomas Williams, who held the seat since 1961, was appointed as a circuit judge.

The Social Democratic Party was formed by prominent figures on the right of the Labour Party shortly before the by-election.

Former Nelson and Colne MP Doug Hoyle was expected to hold the seat comfortably for Labour.

He was elected but it proved to be far tighter than expected, with the Social Democratic Party's Roy Jenkins missing out on a shock result by 1,759 votes.

After the Warrington constituency was abolished in 1983, Mr Hoyle went on to win the first Warrington North General Election and held the seat until stepping down in 1997.

In 1983 he secured 20,873 votes, landing a 5,277 majority over Conservative Stuart Sexton.

Since forming, Labour's highest majority in the constituency was 19,527 for Mrs Jones in 1997.

The highest percentage turnout was 77.3 per cent for Mr Hoyle in 1992, with the number of votes totalling 60,781.

The lowest percentage turnout was 53.7 per cent when Mrs Jones won in 2001, with 38,910 votes.

In 2015, Mrs Jones claimed the seat with 21,720 votes – 8,923 more than Tory Richard Short.

In Warrington North's 34-year history, Mr Hoyle's 5,277 majority over the Tories in 1983 is the tightest the seat has ever been since forming.