The seat itself is a mix of old industrial town - whose rail works and Pirelli tyre factory are in fatal decline - and the wealthy and picturesque towns and villages along the Solent and River Itchen. Eastleigh has long been a satellite of Southampton, and consequently has few facilities of its own. This is a major cause of planning disagreements, and indeed of social alienation amongst young people in the constituency, as the local authority looks to find places to put cinemas and youth centres.