Uxbridge and South Ruislip (UK Parliament constituency)

Uxbridge and South Ruislip (UK Parliament constituency)
Name	Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Map1	UxbridgeSouthRuislip
Map2	EnglandGreaterLondon
Map entity	Greater London
Map year	2010
Type	Borough
County	Greater London
Electorate	70,000 (approx.)
Major towns	Uxbridge, South Ruislip, Yiewsley, West Drayton
European	London
Year	2010
Member label	MP
Member	Steve Tuckwell
Party	Conservative
Region	England
Parliament	uk
Previous	Uxbridge and parts of Ruislip-Northwood

Contents

History
Boundaries
Members of Parliament
Elections
Demographics
See also

Uxbridge and South Ruislip (UK Parliament constituency) is a borough constituency in the London Borough of Hillingdon, electing a single Member of Parliament to the House of Commons. Created for the 2010 general election, it has been represented by Conservative MPs, most notably former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The constituency encompasses the historic market town of Uxbridge and surrounding suburban areas, forming a key part of West London's political landscape.

History

The constituency was established by the Fifth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies conducted by the Boundary Commission for England. It largely replaced the former Uxbridge constituency, which had existed since 1885, and absorbed parts of the abolished Ruislip-Northwood seat. Its political history has been dominated by the Conservative Party, continuing the tradition of its predecessor seats. The 2019 by-election, triggered by Boris Johnson's ascension to 10 Downing Street, and the 2023 by-election following his resignation, were significant political events. The area has historical ties to RAF Uxbridge, home to the Battle of Britain bunker, and Brunel University London.

Boundaries

The constituency covers the southern part of the London Borough of Hillingdon. As defined by the Boundary Commission for England, it comprises the council wards of Brunel, Hillingdon East, Uxbridge North, Uxbridge South, West Drayton, and Yiewsley. Key population centres include the town of Uxbridge, with its Uxbridge College and Uxbridge Underground station, the areas of South Ruislip, Yiewsley, and West Drayton, and the industrial and business parks near the M25 motorway and A40 road. The boundary is adjacent to the constituencies of Hayes and Harlington and Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner.

Members of Parliament

Since its creation, the constituency has elected two Conservative MPs. The first was Sir John Randall, who had previously represented Uxbridge. He was succeeded in 2015 by Boris Johnson, the former Mayor of London and later Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Johnson resigned in June 2023, triggering a by-election won by Steve Tuckwell, a former Hillingdon councillor. The Labour Party and Liberal Democrats have been the main challengers in elections here.

Elections

Elections in the constituency have consistently been contested between the Conservative Party and the Labour Party. The 2015 election saw Boris Johnson elected with a majority of over 10,000 votes. His majority was reduced in the 2017 and 2019 general elections. The July 2023 by-election was a closely watched contest, influenced by the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. Steve Tuckwell retained the seat for the Conservatives with a significantly reduced majority, a result analysed as a potential protest against ULEZ.

Demographics

The population is predominantly White British, with significant and growing British Asian communities, particularly of British Indian and British Pakistani heritage. The area includes residential suburbs, major retail centres like Uxbridge town centre, and employment hubs such as the Stockley Park business complex and the vicinity of Heathrow Airport. Key institutions include Hillingdon Hospital, Brunel University London, and the Royal Air Force historical site at RAF Uxbridge. Socio-economically, the constituency contains a mix of professional commuter areas and more working-class wards, with issues like housing, transport, and airport expansion frequently dominating local concerns.