Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, 105 miles (169 km) west of London, and 24 miles (39 km) east of Cardiff. With an estimated population of 416,400 for the unitary authority in mid-2007, and a surrounding urban area with an estimated 561,500 residents, it is England's sixth, and the United Kingdom's eighth most populous city, one of the group of English Core Cities and the most populous city in South West England.

Bristol West is situated in the central and western parts of Bristol, and currently comprises the Bristol City Council wards of Ashley, Bishopston, Clifton, Cabot, Clifton East, Cotham, Henleaze, Redland, Stoke Bishop, Westbury on Trym and small parts of Horfield, Lockleaze and Kingsweston. This area consists largely of middle-class suburbs, but also includes poorer areas, particularly in St Pauls. The area is also home to the University of Bristol and the main residential districts of students from both of the city's universities.

Following their review of parliamentary representation in Bristol, Somerset and South Gloucestershire, the Boundary Commission for England has created a Bristol East constituency with minor changes from the current seat. The electoral wards in the seat to be fought at the election in 2009 or 2010 are; Brislington East, Brislington West, Eastville, Frome Vale, Hillfields, St George East, St George West, Stockwood.

Following their review into parliamentary representation in Bristol, Somerset and South Gloucestershire, the Boundary Commission for England has created a modified Bristol South with the following electoral wards; Bedminster, Bishopsworth, Filwood Park, Hartcliffe, Hengrove, Knowle, Southville, Whitchurch, Windmill Hill.

The seat consists of the northern part of the Bristol urban area and includes the Bristol City Council wards of Avonmouth, Henbury, Southmead and most of Horfield, Kingsweston and Lockleaze, along with Filton, Patchway, Stoke Gifford and part of Bradley Stoke in South Gloucestershire. he Boundary Commission for England has recommended that the South Gloucestershire wards should become part of a new Filton and Bradley Stoke, and that Bristol North West should incorporate Stoke Bishop, Henleaze, Westbury on Trym and the remaining parts of Horfield, Lockleaze and Kingsweston, all of which are presently part of Bristol West. The Bristol North West constituency will remain in a modified form, constructed from the following electoral wards; Avonmouth, Henbury, Henleaze, Horfield, Kingsweston, Lockleaze, Southmead, Stoke Bishop, Westbury-on-Trym.