The constituency is physically the largest in Shropshire. It stretches from the border with Wales in the west to just short of Dudley and Wolverhampton in the east. Much of the seat is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and it contains the large Environmentally Sensitive Areas of Clun and the South Shropshire Hills.
Ludlow, the largest of the constituency’s towns, has been described as one of the most beautiful and distinguished country towns in England. Once the seat of government for the Welsh Marches, its medieval street pattern survives almost intact, along with many ancient properties: Ludlow Castle is 900 years old, featuring examples of architecture from the Norman, Medieval and Tudor periods; and St. Laurence’s Parish Church - one of the largest in the country - commemorates A.E. Housman, the author of A Shropshire Lad, in its churchyard.
Politically, this constituency has tended to be loyal to the Conservatives. The present MP, arch anti-EU campaigner Christopher Gill, who won a majority of 12.8% in 1997 is standing down.