Inland, the seat takes in the Garnock valley towns of Dalry, Beith and Kilbirnie, once a centre of steel and textile production long since gone.

Tourism is the main industry on Arran and Cumbrae, however the number of holiday homes on the latter has begun to squeeze locals out of the housing market.

Another well-known MP was Sir Fitzroy Maclean, a major-general in the Second World War who was rumoured to be one of Ian Fleming's inspirations for James Bond.

In the 2017 general election the SNP held the seat with a much reduced majority, with the Conservatives more than doubling their vote share, but this was partially reversed in 2019.

Clark was considered to be quite a left-wing Labour MP as she voted against replacing Trident and was a member of the Scottish Campaign for Socialism.

The Liberal Democrats chose primary teacher Gillian Cole-Hamilton and Louise McDaid of the Socialist Labour Party also contested the seat as she has done for several elections.