Aside from energy, transportation, retail, and distribution which are major sectors, agriculture and tourism are still important areas to this central and quite quintessential part of Somerset which includes the coastal resort of Burnham-on-Sea, the city of Wells with its cathedral, and notable natural landmarks such as the Cheddar Gorge and Glastonbury Tor.

The site of the Glastonbury Festival also lies within this seat, causing a major influx of visitors in late June.

Workless claimants who were registered jobseekers were in November 2012 significantly lower than the national average of 3.8%, at 2.1% of the population based on a statistical compilation by The Guardian.

The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by the Autumn of 1939, the following candidates had been selected; Joliffe's elevation to the peerage, becoming Lord Hylton, caused a by-election.

The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected; Lamont's death caused a by-election.