Bracknell, with a population of over 50,000, was given New Town status in 1949, and expanded so rapidly that it was given a parliamentary constituency in its own right after the recent boundary review.
A number of fine mansions set in striking estates are testament to the prosperity seen here in the Victorian era. Easthampstead Park and Lily Hill Park are good examples, whilst the Georgian Mansion South Hill Park is now one of the country’s largest arts centres. Binfield, to the north of the town, was the home of the poet Alexander Pope.
Today the town is thriving, and is home to the headquarters of many major companies, including BMW, Waitrose and 3M.
There are also a few affluent dormitory villages outside the town itself, and three institutions of note, the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst - attended by among others shadow defence secretary Iain Duncan Smith - Broadmoor Hospital; and the Met Office.
Andrew Mackay first won this seat, which has since evolved into Bracknell, in 1983. He had previously served the people of Birmingham Stechford from1979.