This division is almost entirely agricultural in its landscape, farming providing the livelihood for a large proportion of the population. Farming is mixed, with smaller hill farms in the west giving way to larger, wealthier enterprises in the east.
The five market towns are pretty, quaint affairs, Tenbury renowned for its half-timbered architecture, whilst the only industry is found in Leominster. The majority of employers are small, and town-centre regeneration is an important issue, particularly in Leominster with its out-of-town Safeway. The scenery is often exquisite, with the Malvern Hills to the south and east, and the Welsh mountains visible to the west. Offa’s Dyke runs along some of the western border.
Leominster is not a seat with any history of providing electoral excitement - it has long been safely in the Conservative fold - but its MP, Peter Temple-Morris, has provided the seat with its fair share of political interest in recent years. After the last election, which he won comfortably as a Conservative, he had the whip removed over his stance on Europe, crossed the floor as a ‘One Nation Conservative’ and then joined the Labour Party. He is standing down at this election.
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