more industrialised than east and west neighbours. Most of the seat is rural or semi-rural with a middle belt that has a group of urbanised villages, including Caincross, Cam and Rodborough, with the main towns part of the West Country textile manufacturing heritage. The major market towns include Stroud itself, Dursley in the south, and the smaller towns of Berkeley (which has a smaller electorate than Chalford, but more facilities), Stonehouse and Nailsworth. In November 2012, unemployment was 2.1%, compared to the national average of 3.8%. Members of Parliament Stroud parliamentary borough MPs 1832–1885 Stroud division of Gloucestershire MPs 1885–1950 Stroud County Constituency MPs since 1955 Elections Elections in the 2010s Elections in the 2000s Elections in the 1990s Elections in the 1980s Elections in the 1970s Elections in the 1960s Elections in the 1950s Election in the 1940s General Election 1939–40: Another general election was required to take place before the end of 1940. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place from 1939 and by the end of this year, the following candidates had been selected; Conservative: Walter Perkins Elections in the 1930s Elections in the 1920s Elections 1832 to 1918 Elections in the 1910s General Election 1914–15: Another General Election was required to take place before the end of 1915. The political parties had been making preparations for an election to take place and by July 1914, the following candidates had been selected: Liberal: George Hardy Unionist: Cecil Edwin Fitch Elections in the 1900s Elections in the 1890s Elections in the 1880s Elections in the 1870s Caused by the previous by-election being declared void on petition. Caused by Dorington's election being declared void on petition, due to "bribery, treating, and undue influence". Caused by the election being declared void on petition on "account of treating, but the treating was not with knowledge of the candidates". Caused by Winterbotham's death. Elections in the 1860s Caused by Scrope's resignation. Elections in the 1850s Caused by the appointment of Horsman as Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland Caused by Reynolds-Moreton's elevation to the peerage, becoming 3rd Earl Ducie Elections in the 1840s J Symons, formerly Editor of the Stroud Free Press, was a candidate but withdrew before the election took place. The Gloucester Journal described him as "A Chartist of Nailsworth by name Chapman who has issued his address couched in flaming terms