As well as Port Glasgow, this constituency comprises small towns and villages on the Firth of Clyde, west of Glasgow. These include Bishopton, Ranfurly, Lochwinnoch, Erskine and Kilmacolm - the latter being one of the finest residential areas in the west of Scotland. Much of the housing in the seat is owner-occupied - about 70%.
The military industry in Renfrewshire West and its neighbouring constituencies provides a major source of employment for people who live here. The Bishopton munitions manufacturing complex, as well as new offices for the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, are located in this seat, whilst Faslane, home to Trident, and the Govan Shipyards are within commuting distance.
This seat was created in 1983, and was held for one term by Anna McCurley for the Conservatives. Tommy Graham won it for Labour in 1987, and has held it ever since. However, he was expelled from the Labour Party in 1998 for bringing the party into disrepute, and he has since operated as a "Scottish Labour" MP.