It is one of nine constituencies in the North Wales electoral region, which elects four additional members, in addition to nine constituency members, to produce a degree of proportional representation for the region as a whole.

Since its creation, this seat has been a three-way marginal constituency between the Conservatives, Labour and Plaid Cymru.

Plaid won this seat in the 2007 election but since then the Conservatives have narrowly held the constituency.

Meirionnydd Nant Conwy also straddled this boundary, but was within the Mid and West Wales region.

It is composed of the Conwy electoral divisions: Betws-y-Coed, Bryn, Caerhun, Capelulo, Conwy, Craig-y-Don, Crwst, Deganwy, Egwysbach, Gogarth, Gower, Llansanffraid, Marl, Mostyn, Pandy, Penmaenan, Penrhyn, Pensarn, Trefriw, Tudno, and Uwch Conwy.