 Created in 1983, the Northavon seat is similar to the former South Gloucestershire constituency and includes all the constituent parts of South Gloucestershire Unitary Authority. There are also some rural areas within Northavon such as the Severn Valley and Badminton where the horse trials are held each year.
The seat runs from the Severn Bridge in the west to Badminton in the east, taking in towns like Thornbury, Bradley Stoke, Yate and Chipping Sodbury. It also includes more than 50 other villages. The seat's position is at a key crossover point in Britain's motorway network with direct links to London, the West Midlands, South Wales and the West Country.
This, coupled with its proximity to the city of Bristol, has brought extensive residential and commercial development. A large proportion of the electorate lives in the growing residential areas which are dominated by modern, affordable private housing and young families.
Also based here are computer companies, light manufacturing plants and distribution warehouses. This was the scene of one of the Liberal Democrats’ most unexpected victories in 1997, with their candidate Steven Webb winning the seat with a 2,137 vote majority over the sitting Conservative MP Sir John Cope.
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