The constituency includes the market towns of Somerton, Frome, Castle Cary, Langport, Wincanton, Templecombe, Bruton and Martock.

The constituency had been held by Liberal Democrat David Heath from 1997 to 2015, and was considered to be one of the party's traditional strongholds in the rural West Country.

[6] In April 2022, Warburton had the Conservative whip suspended following three allegations of sexual harassment pending investigation by the Independent Complaints and Grievance Scheme.

[15] On 17 June 2023, Warburton announced his intention to resign to The Mail on Sunday, citing his feeling that the parliamentary watchdog denied him a fair hearing over claims he harassed two women.

[26] Both Purbrick and Dimery were unsuccessful list candidates in the South West England constituency at the 2019 European elections.

[28] The Labour Party chose civil engineer and UNISON representative Neil Guild as their candidate.

[31] The UK Independence Party chose military veteran and Somerton parish councillor Peter Richardson as their candidate.