This seat is composed mainly of flat countryside - including the rivers Blackwater and Crouch - bordered by a stretch of North Sea coastline to the east, and includes only two towns of any size - Maldon and Burnham-on-Crouch. The port of Maldon is still trading today and the Old Thames Sailing Barges are still active on the river and can be seen at the Hythe Quay. One slightly unusual event which takes place here is the annual Maldon Mud Race held at New Year, which attracts many competitors and on-lookers from as far away as Japan.
Burnham-on-Crouch is a quiet, unspoilt riverside town whose Clock Tower is an ornate landmark which has dominated the old part of the town since 1877. It is a fairly well-known yachting centre, which has held a week long Regatta every August for over 100 years and also holds a music and arts festival every June.
With 40% of the seatís workforce belonging to the well-paid middle-class management/technical social group, low unemployment, and nearly 80% owner-occupation, it is little surprise that this seat has in the past been safe Tory territory.