An industrial town, built on the back of the coal, glass and chemical industries and famous for its glass technology, its Beecham's powders and, of course, its rugby team, St Helens was left untouched by the Boundary Commission in 1995 and boasts two parliamentary seats.
St Helens North has tended towards Labour. Slightly more affluent and middle class than its southern neighbour, two of the wards in St Helens North often return Tory councillors in borough elections, namely Windle - one of St Helens’ most desirable residential districts - and Rainford - popular with commuters for St Helens and Liverpool. The Lib Dems are often elected in municipal contests in Newton-le-Willows, an old railway town.
St Helens' industrial past has left it with its share of problems, namely large areas of derelict land and a low skills base.
Like many towns in this area, St Helens has its share of substandard housing that is often cold, damp and lacking in basic facilities. Local residents are said to be particularly alert to what they regard as the inequities in regional funding.