Following the abandonment of the Sixth Periodic Review (the 2018 review), the Boundary Commission for England formally launched the 2023 Review on 5 January 2021. The Commission calculated that the number of seats to be allocated to the London region will increase by 2 from 73 to 75.[2] Initial proposals were published on 8 June 2021 and, following two periods of public consultation, revised proposals were published on 8 November 2022. The final proposals were published on 28 June 2023.
Under the proposals, an additional constituency named Stratford and Bow would be created, covering parts of the boroughs of Newham and Tower Hamlets and straddling the River Lea and, in the south of the city, there would be a new constituency named Streatham and Croydon North, covering parts of the boroughs of Croydon and Lambeth. Elsewhere, changes to boundaries result in a number of name changes. Only Walthamstow, Islington North and Tooting would remain entirely unchanged, with a further seven unchanged except to realign constituency boundaries with local government ward boundaries.[3]
The Reform Act 1832 gave representation in the London metropolitan area to seven parliamentary boroughs, known as the metropolitan boroughs,[4] with the formation of four additional boroughs, each electing two MPs. In addition, Greenwich was formed as a separate borough from the counties of Kent and Surrey.
The Reform Act 1867 expanded the metropolitan area to include the new borough of Chelsea, and Tower Hamlets was divided into the two boroughs of Hackney and Tower Hamlets.
The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 extended the area of parliamentary boroughs to the Metropolitan Board of Works area. With the exception of the City of London, whose representation was reduced from four to two MPs, each borough, or division thereof, was represented by one MP. This act increased the number of MPs representing London from 22 to 59.[5]
The County of London was created in 1889 in succession to the Metropolitan Board of Works. In 1900, the county was divided into 28 boroughs (plus the City of London) and the outer boundary was adjusted. However, the old constituency boundaries remained in place until 1918.
Under the Representation of the People Act 1918 the parliamentary boroughs corresponded to the metropolitan boroughs created in 1900, with each borough, or division thereof, being represented by one MP. The City of London continued to be represented by two MPs despite the very small size of its electorate. The number of MPs was increased from 59 to 62.[6]
Despite Greater London being created in 1965, the old constituency boundaries remained in place until 1974, awaiting the implementation of the Second Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies. From 1965 to 1974, Outer London included the following constituencies or parts of constituencies.
When Greater London was created in 1965 the existing constituencies crossed county boundaries. The constituency review reported in 1969, and was implemented for the February 1974 election. All 92 constituencies were contained within Greater London and each were within a single London borough, with the exception of the City of London and Westminster South. They were all borough constituencies.[9] The constituencies were also used as electoral divisions for the Greater London Council from 1973 to 1986.
The constituencies were redrawn for the 1983 election. All 84 constituencies were contained within Greater London and each were within a single London borough, with the exception of the City of London and Westminster South. They were all borough constituencies.[10]
The constituencies were redrawn for the 1997 election. All 74 constituencies were contained within Greater London. Constituencies crossed borough boundaries between Bexley and Greenwich; Ealing, and Hammersmith and Fulham; Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster and the City of London; Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames; Lambeth and Southwark; Newham and Tower Hamlets; and Redbridge and Waltham Forest. They were all borough constituencies.
[11]
The constituencies were redrawn for the 2010 election. All 73 constituencies are contained within Greater London. Constituencies cross borough boundaries between Barking and Dagenham, and Havering; Brent and Camden; Harrow and Hillingdon; Kensington and Chelsea, and Hammersmith and Fulham; Redbridge and Waltham Forest; Bexley and Greenwich; Bromley and Lewisham; Kingston upon Thames and Richmond upon Thames; Lambeth and Southwark; and Westminster and the City of London. They are all borough constituencies.[12]
The number of votes cast for each political party who fielded candidates in constituencies in the London region in the 2024 general election were as follows:[13]
