Harwich & North Essex is a fine constituency. Enjoying both rolling countryside and many miles of shoreline, it stretches from the river Blackwater in the south to the Stour Estuary and the Suffolk border in the north; from the edge of Colchester, Britain’s oldest recorded town, in the west, to Harwich, one of the UK’s busiest ports and a gateway into the country, in the east.
With towns and villagers such as Dedham, made famous by the artist John Constable; Mersea, renowned throughout the world for its oyster fisheries; Manningtree, which we are proud to call the smallest town in England; Mistley, former home and burial place of the self-styled Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins; and Brightlingsea, an “undiscovered” gem of tranquillity, Harwich & North Essex is clearly blessed by natural beauty, unique history and strong maritime, agricultural and artistic traditions.