Enfield Southgate (UK Parliament constituency)

Enfield Southgate is a constituency^{[n 1]} represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2005 by David Burrowes, a Conservative.^{[n 2]}

History

Before the February 1974 general election, this constituency was known as Southgate.^{[n 3]} Its best-known representative was Michael Portillo, now a television documentary and travel presenter who also appears on This Week facing Alan Johnson^{[n 4]} and served the area 1984-1997.

The seat gained national attention in the 1997 general election when Michael Portillo, Secretary of State for Defence was unexpectedly defeated on a massive swing. Portillo had been widely expected to contest the Conservative leadership and his defeat the media took to epitomise the Labour landslide victory. The victorious candidate, Stephen Twigg, increased his majority at the following election.

In the 2005 general election Twigg's majority was the largest overturned, with a swing of 8.7% to the Conservative candidate David Burrowes.

Constituency profile

This is the affluent, leafy western part of the London Borough of Enfield. It is more cosmopolitan than the Conservative suburbs of south-east London - there are sizeable Jewish, Muslim and Cypriot communities.^{[n 5]} The Bowes Park area to the south of the constituency has to date had a solid Labour preference, but overall Southgate has tended to give majorities to Conservatives and elects Conservative local councillors.^[2] To the north the seat becomes semi-rural as it takes in Trent Park and the campus of Middlesex University, the Cockfosters terminus to the Piccadilly line and stretches into the markedly expensive Hadley Wood area.http://www.mouseprice.com/area-guide/en4 Small output areas (smaller than wards) have middle rankings when placed in a complete list of wards (such as the 2000 Index of Multiple Deprivation) found in the southwest of the constituency however all other output areas lack any significant deprivation.^[3]

Boundaries

1950-1974: The Municipal Borough of Southgate.

1974-1983: The London Borough of Enfield wards of Arnos, Bowes, Cockfosters, Grange, Highfield, Oakwood, Palmers Green, Southgate Green, West, and Winchmore Hill.

1983-2010: The London Borough of Enfield wards of Arnos, Bowes, Grange, Grovelands, Highfield, Merryhills, Oakwood, Palmers Green, Southgate Green, Trent, and Winchmore Hill.

2010-present: The London Borough of Enfield wards of Bowes, Cockfosters, Grange, Palmers Green, Southgate, Southgate Green, and Winchmore Hill.

Boundary review

Following its review of parliamentary representation in North London, the Boundary Commission for England made some changes to Enfield, Southgate. Part of Highlands ward was transferred to the constituency of Enfield North, and part of Grange ward was transferred from Enfield North to Enfield, Southgate. Parts of Grange ward, Bowes ward and Palmers Green ward were transferred to Enfield, Southgate from Edmonton. Part of Bush Hill Park ward and a tiny part of Upper Edmonton ward were transferred to Edmonton.

Members of Parliament

Elections

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

See also

• List of Parliamentary constituencies in Greater London

Notes and references

Notes

References

• Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "E" (part 2)

Coordinates: 51°38′49″N 0°07′19″W / 51.647°N 0.122°W / 51.647; -0.122