Ilford North

Ilford North is a suburban constituency located in Greater London. It is situated around north-east of the centre of London and covers the northern parts of the town of Ilford, including the neighbourhoods of Hainault, Fairlop, Barkingside, Clayhall, Gants Hill and Redbridge. The area was traditionally rural but developed rapidly along with much of suburban London during the early 20th century. Today the constituency is suburban in character, interspersed with parks and nature reserves, and is connected to central London by the Central line of the London Underground. The constituency has average levels of wealth; there is some deprivation close to Ilford town centre whilst Clayhall is generally affluent. House prices in the constituency are above the national average but lower than the rest of London. Ilford North is ethnically and religiously diverse. As of the 2021 census, Asians were the largest ethnic group, making up half of the population and consisting of large Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities. White people were 33% of the population, around one-third of whom were of non-British origin, Religiously, the constituency has high proportions of Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Jews compared to the rest of the country. In general, residents of Ilford North are young, and levels of education and income are similar to the rest of London. They are more likely to be homeowners and married compared to other London residents. Most of the constituency is represented by the Labour Party at the local borough council, although some Conservative councillors were elected in Fairlop. An estimated 51% of voters in Ilford North supported remaining in the European Union in the 2016 referendum, marginally higher than the nationwide figure of 48% but lower than the rest of London. ==History==

The seat was created for the 1945 general election, from the northern part of the former Ilford seat. ==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. 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 Gaza genocide, 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. ==Boundaries==

Historic 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 1997–2017: The London Borough of Redbridge wards of Aldborough, Barkingside, Bridge, Clayhall, Fairlop, Fullwell, Hainault, and Roding. 2017–2024: Following a review of ward boundaries which did not effect the parliamentary boundaries, from May 2017 the constituency comprised the following wards: • Aldborough, Barkingside, Bridge, Clayhall, Fairlop, Fullwell, Hainault, and parts of the Churchfields and South Woodford wards. Current Further to the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the constituency is composed of: • The London Borough of Redbridge wards of Aldborough, Barkingside, Clayhall, Cranbrook, Fairlop, Fullwell, Hainault, and Valentines. :The Bridge ward and the part of Churchfields ward were transferred to Chingford and Woodford Green, with the part of South Woodford ward going to Leyton and Wanstead. To compensate, the Cranbrook and Valentines wards were transferred from Ilford South. ==Members of Parliament==

Elections in the 2020s 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 Elections in the 1940s ==See also==