Frome and East Somerset

Frome and East Somerset is a rural constituency located in Somerset. Frome is its largest town, with a population of around 29,000.^[3] Other settlements include the connected towns of Midsomer Norton and Radstock and the villages of Peasedown St John and Evercreech. Frome has a history of textile manufacturing and metalworking, and many of its residents commute to the nearby cities of Bath and Bristol. The town is generally wealthy and has been listed by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in South West England.^[4][5] Midsomer Norton and Radstock lie within the now-disused Somerset Coalfield, one of the few coal mining areas that existed in Southern England. House prices in the constituency are above national averages.^[6]

In general, residents are older and have average levels of wealth and education compared to the rest of the country. White people made up 97% of the population at the 2021 census.^[6] At the local council level, Frome is represented by Green Party councillors, Radstock by the Labour Party and the rest of the constituency by a mixture of Liberal Democrats and Conservatives. An estimated 51% of voters in Frome and East Somerset supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, similar to the nationwide figure.^[6]

Under the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, the constituency was defined as being composed of the following as they existed on 1 December 2020:

• The District of Bath and North East Somerset wards of Bathavon South, Midsomer Norton North, Midsomer Norton Redfield, Peasedown, Radstock, and Westfield.
• The District of Mendip wards of: Ammerdown; Ashwick, Chilcompton and Stratton; Beckington and Selwood; Coleford and Holcombe; Cranmore, Doulting and Nunney; Creech; Frome Berkley Down; Frome College; Frome Keyford; Frome Market; Frome Oakfield; Frome Park; Postlebury; Rode and Norton St. Philip; The Pennards and Ditcheat.^[7]

With effect from 1 April 2023, the District of Mendip was abolished and absorbed into the new unitary authority of Somerset.^[8] Consequently, the constituency now comprises the following from the 2024 general election:

• The District of Bath and North East Somerset wards of: Bathavon South; Midsomer Norton North; Midsomer Norton Redfield; Peasedown; Radstock; Westfield.
• The Somerset electoral divisions of: Frome East; Frome North; Frome West; Mendip Central and East; Mendip Hills (part); Mendip South (most).^[9]

The constituency covers the town of Frome and surrounding rural areas, previously part of the abolished constituency of Somerton and Frome; and smaller communities to the South of Bath, including Midsomer Norton, Radstock and Peasedown St John, previously part of the abolished constituency of North East Somerset.