Indeed the population of the constituency is heavily weighted towards the Waterside area on the eastern side, with the towns of Totton, Marchwood, Hythe and Dibden, and Fawley all situated there.

Beauty and tradition are concentrated in the western half of the constituency, which contains the beauty spots of Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst. John Prescott’s decision to give National Park status to the Forest is also raising local hackles, as some residents fear conservation efforts.