Royal Tunbridge Wells is for some the epitome of conservatism. ‘Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells’, regularly reveals the concerns and frustrations of Middle England to the Daily Telegraph’s letters page.
The shock which registered on local election night in 1994 when the Conservatives lost control of the council gives some indication of just how far this seat is associated with the party and with its core electoral support.
The eponymous town is a growing service centre, but is also a base for large number of commuters and is home to many retired people. Royal Tunbridge Wells is still a functioning spa town and attracts tourists to its architecturally and historically important buildings.
Local MP and former Asda boss Archie Norman represents a constituency in a part of England which will witness massive house-building in the next decade. Tunbridge Wells Council has planned for 2,600 new homes, but this may yet rise if John Prescott increases the house-building targets for the county.