The economy of the area is diverse and closely linked to the success of private business in the North West. From 2001-2010 it was the only Conservative seat in Greater Manchester and predecessor seats have always been Conservative, though in 1997 local grammar school-educated Graham Brady was elected on a small majority of 1,500, which peaked at over 13,000 in 2015, was reduced in 2017 to just under 7,000, and fell further to 6,139 in 2019. Trafford was one of three areas in Greater Manchester to vote Remain in the EU referendum. However, Brady campaigned to Leave.