Incomes and house prices are above average for the UK.[2]
All districts are suburban but interspersed with many parks and a few small nature reserves and are connected to Central London by the Central line which forms an end loop around Hainault tube station. Most residents live in terraced or semi-detached houses with small and narrow gardens. As at the 2011 census, mid-rise apartments in modest landscaped grounds form the bulk of the type of flats in the seat as opposed to tower blocks.[3]
Political history
The seat has fluctuated since 1945 between Labour and Conservative representation in the House of Commons. The 2015 result made the seat the 8th narrowest win of Labour's 232 seats by percentage of majority, and in first past the post a 1.2% majority would be considered marginal.[4] The 2017 election saw an 8.5% swing to Labour, increasing their margin in the seat to 9,639 votes (18.2%), the largest majority for a Labour MP in the seat's history. Labour's majority was almost halved during the 2019 general election.
In 2024, Ilford North became the focus of press attention as independent candidate Leanne Mohamad sought to oust incumbent Wes Streeting. One of several independents running primarily on the issue of the Israel–Hamas war,[5] Whilst Mohamad ended up not winning the seat, she reduced Streeting's majority from 5,198 (10.4%) to 528 (1.2%), making it one of the country's most marginal constituencies.[6]
Boundaries
Map of boundaries 1997–2024
1945–1950: The Municipal Borough of Ilford wards of Barkingside, North Hainault, Seven Kings, and South Hainault.
1950–1974: The Municipal Borough of Ilford wards of Barkingside, Clayhall, Fairlop, North Hainault, Seven Kings, and South Hainault.
1974–1983: The London Borough of Redbridge wards of Aldborough, Barkingside, Chadwell, Fairlop, Hainault, and Seven Kings.
1983–1997: As above plus Fullwell
1997–2024: The London Borough of Redbridge wards of Aldborough, Barkingside, Bridge, Clayhall, Fairlop, Fullwell, Hainault, and Roding.
2024–present: The London Borough of Redbridge wards of Aldborough, Barkingside, Clayhall, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Fullwell, Hainault, and Valentines.[7]