Hereford and South Herefordshire

Boundary changes: the latest boundary review treated Herefordshire separately from Worcestershire, splitting it into two seats. This resulted in the gain of a small part of Golden Valley North and the loss of part of Backbury and Old Gore to North Herefordshire. The name was changed at the local inquiry stage of the boundary committee`s conisderations to include South Herefordshire.

Profile: A rural seat on the border with Wales, it compromises Hereford itself and most of South Herefordshire. Hereford itself is a historic city and a Liberal stronghold, the cathedral houses the 13th century Mappa Mundi. The only other notable town is Ross-on-Wye with the rest of the constituency made up of gently-rolling agricultural land. The area is mostly known for apple and pear growing and cider making, though Strawberry production is increasingly common (and controversial given the use of polytunnels). Significant local employers are Bulmers cider and Sun Valley foods.

The seat had been a Liberal target for many years before it was finally won on the back of Paul Keetch`s impeccable local credentials. It remains to be seen whether his personal support will transfer the new Lib Dem candidate.

Current MP: Jesse Norman (Conservative) born 1962. Educated at Oxford University, doctorate from UCL. Journalist and former director of Barclays Bank. Senior Fellow at the Policy Exchange think tank and author of Compassionate Conservativism.

2010 election candidates:
Jesse Norman (Conservative) born 1962. Educated at Oxford University, doctorate from UCL. Journalist and former director of Barclays Bank. Senior Fellow at the Policy Exchange think tank and author of Compassionate Conservativism.
Phillipa Roberts (Labour)
Sarah Carr (Liberal Democrat) born 1974, Shropshire. Educated at St Dominics School, South Staffs and University of Portsmouth. Former Lib Dem researcher. Worked in the Telecoms industry.
Valentine Smith (UKIP)
John Oliver (BNP)