Richard Benyon

Newbury is a challenging constituency to represent as it combines so much. It covers almost half of Berkshire, including the towns of Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford.  It has some of the most beautiful countryside in the south of England with traditional industries such as farming and racehorse training. It is also home to one of Europe's biggest companies, Vodafone, along with many cutting-edge technology companies and the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston. It has a vibrant and highly networked business community and a very committed and diverse voluntary sector.

The area’s history has often been wrapped in national events. Newbury itself was the site of two Civil War battles.   Greenham Common Airbase was the launch-pad for D-Day in World War Two, and the anti-nuclear movement has marched on both Greenham and Aldermaston. The Newbury bypass saw 1,000 anti-road protesters arrested over two years, making Newbury synonymous as the home of protest.

By comparison with other areas, unemployment is low, and house prices are among the most expensive outside central London.  Crime is a third of the national level, and the local schools provide a wide range of quality education. One challenge has been to update the infrastructure to cope with a more sophisticated workforce and lifestyles. The area’s various arts festivals in the three towns and beyond are very well supported, while outdoor pursuits are increasingly popular, as more take in the stunning local countryside.

West Berkshire council is a unitary authority controlled by a hardworking Conservative administration.