Beaconsfield was one of the seats which remained most loyal to the Conservatives in 1997, even though MP Tim Smith had to resign just before the 1997 election over "cash-for-questions" allegations. His replacement, Dominic Grieve, held a comfortable 14,000 majority although the Conservative share of the vote did dip below 50% for the first time in the constituency.
Tony Blair made his first attempt to get into parliament when he stood for the seat in a 1982 by-election, polling just 3,886 votes.
Beaconsfield is one of the richest corners of the Home Counties. Communities in the area are famed for various things: Gerrards Cross for its detached modern mansions; Denham and Burnham Beeches for their film productions; Iver as the birthplace of caustic, red-head, right-wing (one time left-wing) columnist Paul Johnson; Dorney as the unspoilt celebrity village and Taplow as the nearest village to Cliveden and the palatial home of the Astors.
Mr Grieve, son of Sir Percy Grieve, MP for Solihull between 1964 and 1983, is one of 19 sitting MPs to follow their fathers into the House.
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