Watford was a 19th Century industrial town and is situated in the south west of Hertfordshire on the border with Greater London; in that sense, the town’s urban character sets it apart from the rest of the county.
Paper is still an important industry here, the first printing company having set up its presses in 1834: today, four million copies of The Mirror and The Independent roll off the presses every night in Watford. Perhaps the highest profile company here is the present national lottery operator, Camelot, which employs 300 people.
Culture and sport have their place here too: Leavesden Studios is the fastest growing film studios in the country on a site once occupied by an aircraft factory; and there is the Woodside Athletics stadium, Saracens rugby club and Watford FC.
Labour won this seat in 1997 on the retirement of the Tory MP, Tristan Garel-Jones, who had himself taken the seat from Labour in 1979. The incumbent, Claire Ward, is the youngest female MP.