Poole has had a significant increase in its population in recent times, with an influx of people seeking either retirement homes or employment. Those who are retiring here may well be attracted by the resort feel of the town, whereas those coming for jobs have benefited from Poole's recent industrial development.
Once the town was known only for fishing, boat-building and pottery, but now chemical, pharmaceutical, electronic and engineering industries have sprouted. Tourists are drawn to the four miles of sandy beaches, given European "Blue Flag" status all too rare in this country, and Poole Harbour itself - the second largest natural harbour in the world.
Poole has a tendency to support the Liberal Democrats in borough and county elections but at the last general election, Robert Syms, one of the Conservativesí new intake, was elected with a majority of just over 5,000 votes, down from 13,000 in 1997. Indeed, Labourís share increased by 9.9% whereas the Lib Dem share rose by only 1.5%.