In 1992 Labour gained the seat from the Conservatives by just 191 votes, but following boundary changes Helen Southworth won the 1997 election for Labour with a comfortable majority of over 10,800 votes.
Most of the seatís middle-class population lives south of the Manchester Ship Canal in suburbs like Stockton Heath, Appleton and Grappenhall. The Liberal Democrats have done well here in local elections, but the area has tended to provide the main Conservative strength in general elections.
A more even battle between Labour and the Conservatives can be found west of Warrington in Great Sankey and Penketh, which have seen the growth of private housing estates in recent decades.
More non-manual workers than manual live in this constituency and the level of owner-occupation is high at 80%. Few homes are council-rented and unemployment is below the national average. There is some industry in the seat - mainly chemicals and service industries - but it generally consists of quiet residential areas.