Barking (UK Parliament constituency)

Last updated

Barking
Borough constituency
for the House of Commons
Barking 2023 Constituency.svg
Boundary of Barking in Greater Londonfor the 2024 general election
County Greater London
Population134,500 (2022) [1]
Electorate 71,822 (March 2020) [2]
Borough London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
Major settlements Barking and Becontree
Current constituency
Created 1945
Member of Parliament Nesil Caliskan (Labour)
Created from Romford

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.

Contents

Political history

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

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

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

DatesAreasMapsBoundary changes
1945–1974The Municipal Borough of Barking. Barking1945.png Formerly part of the constituency of Romford.
1974–1983The London Borough of Barking wards of Abbey, Cambell, Gascoigne, Longbridge, and Manor.Minor changes following creation of London Borough of Barking.
1983–1997The 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.
1997–2010The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham wards of Abbey, Becontree, Cambell, Eastbury, Gascoigne, Goresbrook, Longbridge, Manor, Parsloes, and Thames. BarkingConstituency.svg Minor changes following changes to ward boundaries and names.
2010–2024The 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] Barking2007Constituency.svg 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–presentThe 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] [n 2] Barking 2023 Constituency.svg 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. [10]
Barking (UK Parliament constituency)
Map of boundaries from 2024

Members of Parliament

ElectionMember [11] 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

Election results 1945-2024 Bark Election Results.png
Election results 1945–2024

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Barking [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Nesil Caliskan 16,227 44.5 −16.5
Reform UK Clive Peacock5,17314.2+7.1
Green Simon Anthony4,98813.7+11.8
Conservative Julie Redmond4,29411.8−15.1
Workers Party Muhammad Asim3,5789.8N/A
Liberal Democrats Charley Hasted1,0152.8−0.5
Independent Dee Dias7532.1N/A
CPA Lucy Baiye-Gaman4491.2N/A
Majority 11,05430.3−3.8
Turnout 36,47745.7−11.4
Registered electors 79,825
Labour hold Swing −11.8

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result [n 3] [13]
PartyVote %
Labour 24,99660.9
Conservative 11,00326.8
Brexit Party 2,9147.1
Liberal Democrats 1,3563.3
Green 7501.8
Majority13,99334.1
Turnout41,01957.1
Electorate71,822
General election 2019: Barking [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 27,219 61.2 −6.6
Conservative Tamkeen Shaikh11,79226.5+4.0
Brexit Party Karen Batley3,1867.2N/A
Liberal Democrats Ann Haigh1,4823.3+2.0
Green Shannon Butterfield8201.8+0.3
Majority 15,42734.7−10.7
Turnout 44,49957.1−4.8
Registered electors 77,946
Labour hold Swing −5.3
General election 2017: Barking [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 32,319 67.8 +10.1
Conservative Minesh Talati10,71122.5+6.2
UKIP Roger Gravett3,0316.4−15.8
Green Shannon Butterfield7241.5−0.5
Liberal Democrats Pauline Pearce 5991.3–0.1
Independent Noel Falvey2950.6N/A
Majority 21,60845.3+9.8
Turnout 47,67961.9+3.7
Registered electors 77,022
Labour hold Swing +2.0
General election 2015: Barking [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 24,826 57.7 +3.4
UKIP Roger Gravett9,55422.2+19.3
Conservative Mina Rahman [17] 7,01916.3−1.5
Green Tony Rablen8792.0+1.3
Liberal Democrats Peter Wilcock5621.3−6.9
TUSC Joseph Mambuliya [18] 1830.4N/A
Majority 15,27235.5−1.0
Turnout 43,02358.2−3.2
Registered electors 73,977
Labour hold Swing −8.0
General election 2010: Barking [19] [20] [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 24,628 54.3 +7.6
Conservative Simon Marcus8,07317.8+1.8
BNP Nick Griffin 6,62014.6−2.8
Liberal Democrats Dominic Carman 3,7198.2−4.0
UKIP Kellie Maloney 1,3002.9−0.2
Christian George Hargreaves 4821.1N/A
Green Jayne Forbes3170.7−1.7
Monster Raving Loony Crucial Chris Dowling820.2N/A
Independent Thomas Darwood770.2N/A
Restoration PartyDapo Sijuwola450.1N/A
Majority 16,55536.5+5.8
Turnout 45,34361.4+11.0
Registered electors 73,868
Labour hold Swing +2.9

Elections in the 2000s

2005 notional result
PartyVote %
Labour 17,76046.7
BNP 6,60817.4
Conservative 6,07316.0
Liberal Democrats 4,62212.2
Others2,9527.8
Turnout38,01550.4
Electorate75,382
General election 2005: Barking [22]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 13,826 47.8 −13.1
Conservative Keith Prince 4,94317.1−5.9
BNP Richard Barnbrook 4,91617.0+10.6
Liberal Democrats Toby Wickenden3,21111.1+1.4
UKIP Terry Jones8032.8N/A
Green Laurie Cleeland6182.1N/A
Independent Demetrious Panton5301.8N/A
Workers Revolutionary Mick Saxby590.2N/A
Majority 8,88330.7−7.2
Turnout 28,90650.1+4.6
Registered electors 57,658
Labour hold Swing −3.6
General election 2001: Barking [23]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 15,302 60.9 −4.9
Conservative Mike Weatherley 5,76823.0+5.4
Liberal Democrats Anura Keppetipola2,4509.8+0.3
BNP Mark Tolman1,6066.4+3.7
Majority 9,53437.9−10.3
Turnout 25,12645.5−16.2
Registered electors 55,229
Labour hold Swing −5.1

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Barking [24] [25]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 21,698 65.8 +13.6
Conservative Keith Langford5,80217.6−16.3
Liberal Democrats Mark Marsh3,1289.5−4.4
Referendum Colin Taylor1,2833.9N/A
BNP Mark Tolman8942.7N/A
ProLife Alliance Damien Mearns1590.5N/A
Majority 15,89648.2+29.8
Turnout 32,96461.7−7.4
Registered electors 53,458
Labour hold Swing +14.9
1992 notional result
PartyVote %
Labour 20,40952.2
Conservative 13,22933.9
Liberal Democrats 5,43613.9
Turnout39,07469.1
Electorate56,574

1994 Barking by-election [26]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Margaret Hodge 13,704 72.1 +20.5
Liberal Democrats Gary White2,29012.0−2.5
Conservative Theresa May 1,97610.4−23.5
National Front Gary Needs5512.9N/A
UKIP Gerard Batten 4062.1N/A
Natural Law Heather Butensky [27] 900.5N/A
Majority 11,41460.0+42.3
Turnout 19,01738.3−31.7
Registered electors 49,635
Labour hold Swing +11.5
General election 1992: Barking [28] [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jo Richardson 18,224 51.6 +7.3
Conservative John Kennedy11,95633.9−0.6
Liberal Democrats Stephen Churchman5,13314.5−6.8
Majority 6,26817.8+7.9
Turnout 35,31370.0+3.0
Registered electors 50,454
Labour hold Swing +3.9

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Barking [30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jo Richardson 15,307 44.3 +2.2
Conservative William Sharp11,89834.4+4.1
Liberal John Gibb7,36621.3−4.3
Majority 3,4099.8−1.9
Turnout 34,54166.9+1.6
Registered electors 51,639
Labour hold Swing −1.0
General election 1983: Barking [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jo Richardson 14,415 42.1 −11.3
Conservative Hugo Summerson 10,38930.4−1.2
Liberal John Gibb8,77025.6+14.8
National Front Ian Newport6461.9−2.3
Majority 4,02611.8−10.1
Turnout 34,22065.4−5.7
Registered electors 52,362
Labour hold Swing −5.1

Elections in the 1970s

1979 notional result [32]
PartyVote %
Labour 20,17253.4
Conservative 11,90631.5
Liberal 4,08810.8
Others1,5914.2
Turnout37,757
Electorate
General election 1979: Barking
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jo Richardson 18,111 52.8 −11.1
Conservative Marion Roe 11,10332.4+16.8
Liberal Martin Taylor [33] 3,67910.7−4.9
National Front Ian Newport1,0213.0−1.9
Independent Labour John Barry [33] 4001.2N/A
Majority 7,00820.4−27.9
Turnout 34,31471.1+3.7
Registered electors 48,289
Labour hold Swing −14.0
General election October 1974: Barking [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jo Richardson 21,546 63.9 +3.8
Conservative Eric Forth 5,25615.6−3.2
Liberal Martin Taylor5,24515.6−5.5
National Front C. Bond1,6614.9 New
Majority 16,29048.3+9.3
Turnout 33,70667.4−9.2
Registered electors 50,039
Labour hold Swing +3.5
General election February 1974: Barking [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Jo Richardson 22,846 60.1 −9.3
Liberal Martin Taylor [36] 8,01221.1N/A
Conservative Eric Forth 7,15418.8−11.8
Majority 14,83439.0+0.3
Turnout 38,01276.6+15.0
Registered electors 49,617
Labour hold Swing −15.2
General election 1970: Barking [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Driberg 21,097 69.4 +3.2
Conservative Geoffrey Pattie 9,30930.6+8.8
Majority 11,78838.8−5.6
Turnout 30,40661.6−10.4
Registered electors 49,363
Labour hold Swing −2.8

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Barking [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Driberg 22,994 66.2 +3.5
Conservative Geoffrey Pattie 7,58421.8−0.7
Liberal James Silvey4,18112.0−2.8
Majority 15,41044.4+4.2
Turnout 34,75972.0−1.2
Registered electors 48,281
Labour hold Swing +2.1
General election 1964: Barking [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Driberg 23,055 62.6 +4.8
Conservative Geoffrey Waterer8,29622.6−5.7
Liberal Nicholas Donahue5,46314.8+0.9
Majority 14,75940.1+10.5
Turnout 36,81473.2−5.4
Registered electors 50,326
Labour hold Swing +5.3

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Barking [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Tom Driberg 23,454 57.8 −11.4
Conservative Kenneth Dibben11,45428.2−2.6
Liberal David Evans5,64813.9N/A
Majority 12,00029.6−8.8
Turnout 40,55678.5+5.0
Registered electors 51,654
Labour hold Swing −4.4
General election 1955: Barking [41]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Somerville Hastings 27,129 69.2 +1.8
Conservative Bernard Massey12,08230.8+5.7
Majority 15,04738.4−4.0
Turnout 39,21173.5−8.3
Registered electors 53,314
Labour hold Swing −2.0
General election 1951: Barking [42]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Somerville Hastings 30,486 67.4 +1.1
Conservative Michael Underhill11,34025.1+2.6
Liberal Norman Cork3,3877.5−3.7
Majority 19,14642.3−1.5
Turnout 45,21381.9−1.7
Registered electors 55,219
Labour hold Swing −0.8
General election 1950: Barking [43]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Somerville Hastings 30,299 66.3 −4.1
Conservative Kenneth Glenny10,26922.5+6.4
Liberal Harry Willcock 5,10911.2−2.3
Majority 20,03043.9−10.5
Turnout 45,67783.6+10.8
Registered electors 54,627
Labour hold Swing −5.3

Elections in the 1940s

General election 1945: Barking [44]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Labour Somerville Hastings 24,504 70.5
Conservative Kenneth Glenny5,59316.1
Liberal Harry Willcock 4,67413.4
Majority18,91154.4
Turnout 34,77172.8
Registered electors 47,770
Labour win (new seat)

Notes

  1. ↑ A borough constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. ↑ Taking account of the revised ward boundaries from 2022 [9]
  3. ↑ Estimate of the 2019 general election result as if the revised boundaries recommended under the 2023 boundary review were in place

References

  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. ↑ "Barking and Dagenham local government review 2022". LGBCE. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  10. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 3 London region.
  11. ↑ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 1)
  12. ↑ "Statement of Persons Nominated" (PDF). London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Council. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  13. ↑ "Barking notional election - 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.
  14. ↑ "Barking parliamentary constituency – Election 2019" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  15. ↑ "Election results for Barking". Barking and Dagenham. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  16. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Mina Rahman". Archived from the original on 11 August 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2014.
  18. ↑ "MORE TUSC CANDIDATES IN PLACE AS ELECTION CHALLENGE GROWS". www.tusc.org.uk. 19 December 2014.
  19. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  20. ↑ Statement of Persons Nominated [ permanent dead link ], London Borough of Barking and Dagenham
  21. ↑ Barking Archived 17 April 2010 at the Wayback Machine UKPolling
  22. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  24. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  25. ↑ "Barking [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2009.
  26. ↑ 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.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  29. ↑ "Politics Resources". Election 1992. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  30. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  31. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  32. ↑ "BBC/ITN NOTIONAL ELECTION 1979". election.demon.co.uk. BBC/ITN. Archived from the original on 28 May 2004. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  33. 1 2 Election Expenses. Parliament of the United Kingdom. 1980. p. 8. ISBN   0102374805.
  34. ↑ "UK General Election results: October 1974 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  35. ↑ "UK General Election results: February 1974 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 5 December 2009. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
  36. ↑ "LIBERAL/LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CANDIDATES in the GREATER LONDON REGION 1945-2019" (PDF). liberalhistory.org.uk. Liberal Democrat History Group. pp. 6–98. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  37. ↑ "UK General Election results 1970 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  38. ↑ "UK General Election results: March 1966 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  39. ↑ "UK General Election results: October 1964 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  40. ↑ "UK General Election results: October 1959 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  41. ↑ "UK General Election results: May 1955 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  42. ↑ "UK General Election results: October 1951 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  43. ↑ "UK General Election results: February 1950 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 10 June 2010.
  44. ↑ "UK General Election results: July 1945 [Archive]". www.politicsresources.net. Archived from the original on 25 May 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2010.

51°32′N0°07′E / 51.53°N 0.11°E / 51.53; 0.11

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