Brentford and Isleworth (UK Parliament Constituency) - Constituency Profile

Constituency Profile

The constituency is located in suburban West London and stretches along the North bank of the Thames, encompassing the neighbourhoods of Chiswick, Isleworth, Brentford, Osterley and most of Hounslow.

The Hounslow side of the constituency is strong for Labour, in sharp contrast to neighbouring wards which fall in the Twickenham or Richmond Park constituencies and which return large Liberal Democrat majorities. It is in the east of the constituency, the three Chiswick wards in particular, that the Conservatives are strongest. Chiswick has a higher number of professionals and much desirable housing. The wards of Osterley & Spring Grove and Hounslow South are more marginal.

Between 1998 and 2006 there had been a growing number of Independents elected to Hounslow Council from this parliamentary constituency. The first Independent Community Group (ICG) councillor was elected in 1998 in Isleworth. In 2002 three ICG councillors were elected in Isleworth. In 2006 six ICG councillors were elected in Syon and Isleworth wards, and former Labour Leader of the Council John Connelly was re-elected as an Independent in Hounslow Heath ward. However, all seven of the Independents were defeated in the local elections held on May 6, 2010, their seats taken by Labour. The Conservatives and Labour now each hold fifteen of the constituency's thirty council seats.

The even split between the two main parties reflects the result of the general election held on the same day, where the seat was narrowly gained by the Conservatives and is now a key marginal.