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Barking (UK Parliament constituency)

Coordinates: 51°32′N 0°07′E / 51.53°N 0.11°E / 51.53; 0.11
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Barking
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Outline map
Boundary of Barking in Greater London for the 2024 general election
CountyGreater London
Population134,500 (2022)[1]
Electorate71,822 (March 2020)[2]
BoroughLondon Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Major settlementsBarking and Becontree
Current constituency
Created1945
Member of ParliamentNesil Caliskan (Labour)
Created fromRomford

Barking is a constituency[n 1] in Greater London represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Nesil Caliskan of the Labour Party.

Political history

[edit]

The area has elected Labour MPs since its creation in 1945, on strong majorities of over 20% of the vote, except for the results in 1983, 1987 and 1992. Margaret Hodge served as the MP for the seat from 1994 to 2024.

The rise in support for the British National Party since the turn of the 21st century saw the party attain 16.9% of the vote at the 2005 general election, with the Labour vote reduced by over 13% compared to the 2001. The BNP out-polled the Liberal Democrats for third place and were just 27 votes behind the Conservatives.

Party members and supporters were optimistic that the party would soon make a breakthrough into the UK parliament, and party leader Nick Griffin stood in Barking for the 2010 general election. However, his performance in Barking was poor, as he polled 14.6% of the vote (representing a decline in percentage terms compared to 2005), and Margaret Hodge retained the seat with 54.3% of the vote, doubling her majority. The Conservatives came second with 17.8%.[3] During the run-up to the 2010 election, filmmaker Laura Fairrie had access to the British National Party and Labour Party campaigns, and later produced a documentary The Battle for Barking, which premiered on More 4 on 30 November 2010.[4]

In 2015, the UKIP vote increased to almost 23%; this was predicted as they came the runners up in every ward in the 2014 Barking and Dagenham Council election, they came within 200 votes of winning 4 seats on the council.

In 2017, the UKIP vote collapsed, and Labour and the Conservatives both increased their share of the vote, although Labour's increase of 10.1% saw them claim 67.8% of the vote overall (their largest share in Barking at any election since the 1994 by-election and the greatest at a general election since 1970), increasing their majority from 35.5% to 45.3%. Despite a swing away from Labour in the 2019 election, its majority was still a healthy 34.7%.

Following Margaret Hodge's retirement as an MP, Labour's vote at the 2024 general election fell by 16.5%; however its majority only fell by 4.4% as the Conservative vote collapsed to 11.8%. Both Reform UK (14.2%) and the Green Party (13.7%) overtook the Conservatives, relegating them to fourth place. The Workers Party candidate took 9.8% of the vote.

Constituency profile

[edit]

Set in the east of Greater London, the Barking constituency is one of the areas identified for London's planned expansion in housing. The Barking Riverside regeneration project aims to create new homes, jobs and services on the site of the former power station.

According to 2011 United Kingdom census data, the seat had the 21st highest proportion of unemployed people amongst constituencies in England and Wales, at 7.4%. It also has the third-highest proportion of people from Africa, while one in six identifies as Asian/Asian British.

The constituency has benefited from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London and its districts include a larger than average proportion of social housing and earners on low incomes.[5]

Demographics

[edit]

Ethnicity 2021 Census

White – 42.3

Asian – 28.0

Black – 21.6

Mixed – 4.3

Other – 3.6

Religion 2021 Census

Christian – 43.7

Muslim – 27.6

Hindu – 2.8

Sikh – 1.8

Boundaries

[edit]
Dates Areas Maps Boundary changes
1945–1974 The Municipal Borough of Barking.
Barking in Essex (showing boundaries used from 1945 to 1950).
Barking in Essex (showing boundaries used from 1945 to 1950).
 Formerly part of the constituency of Romford.
1974–1983 The London Borough of Barking wards of Abbey, Cambell, Gascoigne, Longbridge, and Manor. Minor changes following creation of London Borough of Barking.
1983–1997 The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham wards of Abbey, Cambell, Eastbury, Gascoigne, Goresbrook, Longbridge, Manor, Parsloes, and Thames. Minor changes following changes to ward boundaries and names.
1997–2010 The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham wards of Abbey, Becontree, Cambell, Eastbury, Gascoigne, Goresbrook, Longbridge, Manor, Parsloes, and Thames. Minor changes following changes to ward boundaries and names.
2010–2024 The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham (2010) wards of Abbey, Alibon, Becontree, Eastbury, Gascoigne, Goresbrook, Longbridge, Mayesbrook, Parsloes, Thames, and Valence.[6] Note that the ward boundaries and some ward names changed in 2022.[7] Following their review of parliamentary representation the Boundary Commission for England recommended that the wards of Alibon, Parsloes and Valence be transferred from the old Dagenham constituency to Barking, and that following a review of ward boundaries a small part of River ward be transferred from Barking to help form the new Dagenham and Rainham constituency. These boundaries were first contested for the 2010 general election.
2024–present The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham wards of Abbey; Alibon (majority); Barking Riverside; Becontree; Eastbury; Gascoigne; Goresbrook (most); Longbridge; Mayesbrook; Northbury; Parsloes (most); Thames View; Valence (part).[8]

Taking account of the revised ward boundaries from 2022.

Further to the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the Valence ward (as it existed on 1 December 2020) was moved to Dagenham and Rainham in order to bring the electorate within the permitted range.[9]
Map
Map of boundaries from 2024

Members of Parliament

[edit]
Election Member[10] Party
1945 Somerville Hastings Labour
1959 Tom Driberg Labour
Feb 1974 Jo Richardson Labour
1994 by-election Margaret Hodge Labour
2024 Nesil Caliskan Labour

Elections

[edit]
Election results 1945-2024

Elections in the 2020s

[edit]
General election 2024: Barking[11]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Nesil Caliskan 16,227 44.5 −16.5
Reform UK Clive Peacock 5,173 14.2 +7.1
Green Simon Anthony 4,988 13.7 +11.8
Conservative Julie Redmond 4,294 11.8 −15.1
Workers Party Muhammad Asim 3,578 9.8 N/A
Liberal Democrats Charley Hasted 1,015 2.8 −0.5
Independent Dee Dias 753 2.1 N/A
CPA Lucy Baiye-Gaman 449 1.2 N/A
Majority 11,054 30.3 −3.8
Turnout 36,477 45.7 −11.4
Registered electors 79,825
Labour hold Swing −11.8

Elections in the 2010s

[edit]
2019 notional result[12]
Party Vote %
Labour 24,996 60.9
Conservative 11,003 26.8
Brexit Party 2,914 7.1
Liberal Democrats 1,356 3.3
Green 750 1.8
Turnout 41,019 57.1
Electorate 71,822
General election 2019: Barking[13]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 27,219 61.2 −6.6
Conservative Tamkeen Shaikh 11,792 26.5 +4.0
Brexit Party Karen Batley 3,186 7.2 N/A
Liberal Democrats Ann Haigh 1,482 3.3 +2.0
Green Shannon Butterfield 820 1.8 +0.3
Majority 15,427 34.7 −10.7
Turnout 44,499 57.1 −4.8
Registered electors 77,946
Labour hold Swing −5.3
General election 2017: Barking[14]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 32,319 67.8 +10.1
Conservative Minesh Talati 10,711 22.5 +6.2
UKIP Roger Gravett 3,031 6.4 −15.8
Green Shannon Butterfield 724 1.5 −0.5
Liberal Democrats Pauline Pearce 599 1.3 –0.1
Independent Noel Falvey 295 0.6 N/A
Majority 21,608 45.3 +9.8
Turnout 47,679 61.9 +3.7
Registered electors 77,022
Labour hold Swing +2.0
General election 2015: Barking[15]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 24,826 57.7 +3.4
UKIP Roger Gravett 9,554 22.2 +19.3
Conservative Mina Rahman[16] 7,019 16.3 −1.5
Green Tony Rablen 879 2.0 +1.3
Liberal Democrats Peter Wilcock 562 1.3 −6.9
TUSC Joseph Mambuliya[17] 183 0.4 N/A
Majority 15,272 35.5 −1.0
Turnout 43,023 58.2 −3.2
Registered electors 73,977
Labour hold Swing –8.0
General election 2010: Barking[18][19][20]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 24,628 54.3 +7.6
Conservative Simon Marcus 8,073 17.8 +1.8
BNP Nick Griffin 6,620 14.6 −2.8
Liberal Democrats Dominic Carman 3,719 8.2 −4.0
UKIP Kellie Maloney 1,300 2.9 −0.2
Christian George Hargreaves 482 1.1 N/A
Green Jayne Forbes 317 0.7 −1.7
Monster Raving Loony Crucial Chris Dowling 82 0.2 N/A
Independent Thomas Darwood 77 0.2 N/A
Restoration Party Dapo Sijuwola 45 0.1 N/A
Majority 16,555 36.5 +5.8
Turnout 44,343 61.4 +11.0
Registered electors 73,868
Labour hold Swing +2.9

Elections in the 2000s

[edit]
2005 notional result
Party Vote %
Labour 17,760 46.7
BNP 6,608 17.4
Conservative 6,073 16.0
Liberal Democrats 4,622 12.2
Others 2,952 7.8
Turnout 38,015 50.4
Electorate 75,382
General election 2005: Barking[21]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 13,826 47.8 −13.1
Conservative Keith Prince 4,943 17.1 −5.9
BNP Richard Barnbrook 4,916 17.0 +10.6
Liberal Democrats Toby Wickenden 3,211 11.1 +1.4
UKIP Terry Jones 803 2.8 N/A
Green Laurie Cleeland 618 2.1 N/A
Independent Demetrious Panton 530 1.8 N/A
Workers Revolutionary Mick Saxby 59 0.2 N/A
Majority 8,883 30.7 −7.2
Turnout 28,906 50.1 +4.6
Registered electors 57,658
Labour hold Swing −3.6
General election 2001: Barking[22]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 15,302 60.9 −4.9
Conservative Mike Weatherley 5,768 23.0 +5.4
Liberal Democrats Anura Keppetipola 2,450 9.8 +0.3
BNP Mark Tolman 1,606 6.4 +3.7
Majority 9,534 37.9 −10.3
Turnout 25,126 45.5 −16.2
Registered electors 55,229
Labour hold Swing −5.1

Elections in the 1990s

[edit]
General election 1997: Barking[23][24]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 21,698 65.8 +13.6
Conservative Keith Langford 5,802 17.6 −16.3
Liberal Democrats Mark Marsh 3,128 9.5 −4.4
Referendum Colin Taylor 1,283 3.9 N/A
BNP Mark Tolman 894 2.7 N/A
ProLife Alliance Damien Mearns 159 0.5 N/A
Majority 15,896 48.2 +29.8
Turnout 32,964 61.7 −7.4
Registered electors 53,458
Labour hold Swing +14.9
  • Changes are based on the notional 1992 election result, not the 1994 by-election.
1992 notional result
Party Vote %
Labour 20,409 52.2
Conservative 13,229 33.9
Liberal Democrats 5,436 13.9
Turnout 39,074 69.1
Electorate 56,574
1994 Barking by-election[25]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 13,704 72.1 +20.5
Liberal Democrats Gary White 2,290 12.0 −2.5
Conservative Theresa May 1,976 10.4 −23.5
National Front Gary Needs 551 2.9 N/A
UKIP Gerard Batten 406 2.1 N/A
Natural Law Heather Butensky[26] 90 0.5 N/A
Majority 11,414 60.0 +42.3
Turnout 19,017 38.3 −31.7
Registered electors 49,635
Labour hold Swing +11.5
General election 1992: Barking[27][28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Richardson 18,224 51.6 +7.3
Conservative John Kennedy 11,956 33.9 −0.6
Liberal Democrats Stephen Churchman 5,133 14.5 −6.8
Majority 6,268 17.8 +7.9
Turnout 35,313 70.0 +3.0
Registered electors 50,454
Labour hold Swing +3.9

Elections in the 1980s

[edit]
General election 1987: Barking[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Richardson 15,307 44.3 +2.2
Conservative William Sharp 11,898 34.4 +4.1
Liberal John Gibb 7,366 21.3 −4.3
Majority 3,409 9.8 −1.9
Turnout 34,541 66.9 +1.6
Registered electors 51,639
Labour hold Swing −1.0
General election 1983: Barking[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Richardson 14,415 42.1 −11.3
Conservative Hugo Summerson 10,389 30.4 −1.2
Liberal John Gibb 8,770 25.6 +14.8
National Front Ian Newport 646 1.9 −2.3
Majority 4,026 11.8 −10.1
Turnout 34,220 65.4 −5.7
Registered electors 52,362
Labour hold Swing −5.1

Elections in the 1970s

[edit]
1979 notional result[31]
Party Vote %
Labour 20,172 53.4
Conservative 11,906 31.5
Liberal 4,088 10.8
Others 1,591 4.2
Turnout 37,757
Electorate
General election 1979: Barking
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Richardson 18,111 52.8 −11.1
Conservative Marion Roe 11,103 32.4 +16.8
Liberal Martin Taylor[32] 3,679 10.7 −4.9
National Front Ian Newport 1,021 3.0 −1.9
Independent Labour John Barry[32] 400 1.2 N/A
Majority 7,008 20.4 −27.9
Turnout 34,314 71.1 +3.7
Registered electors 48,289
Labour hold Swing −14.0
General election October 1974: Barking[33]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Richardson 21,546 63.9 +3.8
Conservative Eric Forth 5,256 15.6 −3.2
Liberal M Taylor 5,245 15.6 −5.5
National Front C. Bond 1,661 4.9 New
Majority 16,290 48.3 +9.3
Turnout 33,706 67.4 −9.2
Registered electors 50,039
Labour hold Swing +3.5
General election February 1974: Barking[34]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Jo Richardson 22,846 60.1 −9.3
Liberal M. Taylor 8,012 21.1 N/A
Conservative Eric Forth 7,154 18.8 −11.8
Majority 14,834 39.0 +0.3
Turnout 38,012 76.6 +15.0
Registered electors 49,617
Labour hold Swing –15.2
General election 1970: Barking[35]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tom Driberg 21,097 69.4 +3.2
Conservative Geoffrey Pattie 9,309 30.6 +8.8
Majority 11,788 38.8 −5.6
Turnout 30,406 61.6 −10.4
Registered electors 49,363
Labour hold Swing −2.8

Elections in the 1960s

[edit]
General election 1966: Barking[36]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tom Driberg 22,994 66.2 +3.5
Conservative Geoffrey Pattie 7,584 21.8 −0.7
Liberal James Silvey 4,181 12.0 −2.8
Majority 15,410 44.4 +4.2
Turnout 34,759 72.0 −1.2
Registered electors 48,281
Labour hold Swing +2.1
General election 1964: Barking[37]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tom Driberg 23,055 62.6 +4.8
Conservative Geoffrey Waterer 8,296 22.6 −5.7
Liberal Nicholas Donahue 5,463 14.8 +0.9
Majority 14,759 40.1 +10.5
Turnout 36,814 73.2 −5.4
Registered electors 50,326
Labour hold Swing +5.3

Elections in the 1950s

[edit]
General election 1959: Barking[38]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Tom Driberg 23,454 57.8 −11.4
Conservative Kenneth Dibben 11,454 28.2 −2.6
Liberal David Evans 5,648 13.9 N/A
Majority 12,000 29.6 −8.8
Turnout 40,556 78.5 +5.0
Registered electors 51,654
Labour hold Swing −4.4
General election 1955: Barking[39]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Somerville Hastings 27,129 69.2 +1.8
Conservative Bernard Massey 12,082 30.8 +5.7
Majority 15,047 38.4 −4.0
Turnout 39,211 73.5 −8.3
Registered electors 53,314
Labour hold Swing −2.0
General election 1951: Barking[40]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Somerville Hastings 30,486 67.4 +1.1
Conservative Michael Underhill 11,340 25.1 +2.6
Liberal Norman Cork 3,387 7.5 −3.7
Majority 19,146 42.3 −1.5
Turnout 45,213 81.9 −1.7
Registered electors 55,219
Labour hold Swing −0.8
General election 1950: Barking[41]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Labour Somerville Hastings 30,299 66.3 −4.1
Conservative Kenneth Glenny 10,269 22.5 +6.4
Liberal Harry Willcock 5,109 11.2 −2.3
Majority 20,030 43.9 −10.5
Turnout 45,677 83.6 +10.8
Registered electors 54,627
Labour hold Swing −5.3

Elections in the 1940s

[edit]
General election 1945: Barking[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Labour Somerville Hastings 24,504 70.5
Conservative Kenneth Glenny 5,593 16.1
Liberal Harry Willcock 4,674 13.4
Majority 18,911 54.4
Turnout 34,771 72.8
Registered electors 47,770
Labour win (new seat)

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ A borough constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Area profile - Barking". Build a custom profile. ONS. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
  2. ^ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – London". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  3. ^ Barking election result (BBC News online).
  4. ^ "The Battle for Barking". Channel 4. Retrieved 5 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Local statistics – Office for National Statistics". neighbourhood.statistics.gov.uk. Archived from the original on 11 February 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2012.
  6. ^ 2010 post-revision map Greater London and metropolitan areas of England
  7. ^ "Ward Maps | Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places 2022 | One Borough Voice".
  8. ^ "New Seat Details – Barking". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  9. ^ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 3 London region.
  10. ^ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 1)
  11. ^ "Statement of Persons Nominated" (PDF). London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Barking parliamentary constituency – Election 2019" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  14. ^ "Election results for Barking". Barking and Dagenham. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  15. ^ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ^ "Mina Rahman". Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  17. ^ "MORE TUSC CANDIDATES IN PLACE AS ELECTION CHALLENGE GROWS". www.tusc.org.uk. 19 December 2014.
  18. ^ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  19. ^ Statement of Persons Nominated[permanent dead link‍], London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
  20. ^ Barking Archived 17 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine UKPolling
  21. ^ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  22. ^ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ^ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ^ "Barking [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  25. ^ Boothroyd, David. "Results of Byelections in the 1992–97 Parliament". United Kingdom Election Results. Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
  26. ^ Will Bennett (28 May 1994). "Barking By-Election: Socialist abandons red flag for the modern approach: Former Islington leader with radical past is model Labour candidate". The Independent. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  27. ^ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  28. ^ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  29. ^ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  30. ^ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  31. ^ "BBC/ITN NOTIONAL ELECTION 1979". election.demon.co.uk. BBC/ITN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2004. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  32. ^ a b Election Expenses. Parliament of the United Kingdom. 1980. p. 8. ISBN 0102374805.
  33. ^ "UK General Election results: October 1974 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  34. ^ "UK General Election results: February 1974 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  35. ^ "UK General Election results 1970 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  36. ^ "UK General Election results: March 1966 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  37. ^ "UK General Election results: October 1964 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  38. ^ "UK General Election results: October 1959 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  39. ^ "UK General Election results: May 1955 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  40. ^ "UK General Election results: October 1951 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  41. ^ "UK General Election results: February 1950 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  42. ^ "UK General Election results: July 1945 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2010.

51°32′N 0°07′E / 51.53°N 0.11°E / 51.53; 0.11

[edit]
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