Brent Central
2010 Results:
Conservative: 5068 (11.18%)
Labour: 18681 (41.22%)
Liberal Democrat: 20026 (44.18%)
Green: 668 (1.47%)
Christian: 488 (1.08%)
Independent: 163 (0.36%)
Others: 230 (0.51%)
Majority: 1345 (2.96%)
Notional 2005 Results:
Labour: 18383 (50.1%)
Liberal Democrat: 11776 (32.1%)
Conservative: 4901 (13.4%)
Other: 1636 (4.5%)
Majority: 6608 (18%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 4485 (15.1%)
Labour: 17501 (58.8%)
Liberal Democrat: 6175 (20.7%)
Green: 957 (3.2%)
Other: 646 (2.2%)
Majority: 11326 (38.1%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 3604 (12.6%)
Labour: 20984 (73.3%)
Liberal Democrat: 3098 (10.8%)
Other: 951 (3.3%)
Majority: 17380 (60.7%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 5489 (15.9%)
Labour: 25180 (73%)
Liberal Democrat: 2670 (7.7%)
Referendum: 497 (1.4%)
Other: 662 (1.9%)
Majority: 19691 (57.1%)
Boundary changes:
Profile: This was one of only two seats to be fought by two sitting MPs in the 2010 general election (the other being Poplar and Limehouse). In this case Sarah Teather, the MP for the abolished Brent East seat chose to stand against the Labour incumbent of Brent South, Dawn Butler, rather than contest the Hampstead and Kilburn seat which on paper appeared to be a better chance for the Liberal Democrats. In the event Teather’s gamble paid off.
Current MP: Sarah Teather (Liberal Democrat) born 1974, London. Educated at Cambridge University. First elected to Brent East at the 2003 by-election, becoming the youngest MP in the House of Commons. Liberal Democrat Education spokesman 2006-2007, Universities spokesman after the split in the departments following Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister and Lib Dem shadow secretary of state on business since Nick Clegg became leader in December 2007.
Sachin Rajput (Conservative) Barnet councillor.
Dawn Butler (Labour) Born 1969, Forest Gate. Prior to her election worked as a trade union officer. First elected as MP for Brent South 2005. PPS to Jane Kennedy 2005-2006. Government whip 2008. Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement since 2009 (more information at They work for you)Sarah Teather (Liberal Democrat) born 1974, London. Educated at Cambridge University. First elected to Brent East at the 2003 by-election, becoming the youngest MP in the House of Commons. Liberal Democrat Education spokesman 2006-2007, Universities spokesman after the split in the departments following Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister and Lib Dem shadow secretary of state on business since Nick Clegg became leader in December 2007. Currently the MP for Brent East, which disappears under boundary changes, Teather has confirmed she will be standing in Brent Central at the next election. 
Shahrar Ali (Green) Educated at UCL. Green Party London Policy Coordinator. Contested Brent East 2005. Will contest Brent and Harrow at 2008 London Assembly elections.
Abdi Duale (Respect) Dean McCastree (Independent)2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 114487
Male: 48.3%
Female: 51.7%
Under 18: 22.9%
Over 60: 14.7%
Born outside UK: 47%
White: 47%
Black: 25.9%
Asian: 19.8%
Mixed: 4.1%
Other: 3.3%
Christian: 54%
Hindu: 11%
Jewish: 1.2%
Muslim: 12.6%
Full time students: 8.3%
Graduates 16-74: 28.7%
No Qualifications 16-74: 26.3%
Owner-Occupied: 48.8%
Social Housing: 29.5% (Council: 11.2%, Housing Ass.: 18.4%)
Privately Rented: 18.5%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 9%
What does busted flush actually mean?
Is it come Harry Cross connetation of making a complete mess of repairing a toilet?
Harry Cross? Brookside?
That’s right – the only soap I used to watch.
I believe he murdered his wife or something, and got written out of the script.
He was a rare Tory supporter in Liverpool – they used to discuss politics on the program and that’s why I made it an exception.
I used to enjoy it. It went down the toilet towards the end
I started watching it when there was a siege
- subsequently it was very funny – then it got boring,
particularly those Corkhills and their tedious rows etc.
(can’t be bothered with anything like that now).
Dawn Butler is apparently one of 25 former MPs who signed a letter backing David Miliband today.
Harry Cross didn’t murder his wife, she died of natural causes.
For many years after her death Harry stayed in Brookside and lived with his friend Ralph.
The actors playing Harry and Ralph are both long dead, sadly.
All soaps are crap now, I haven’t watched them for years.
That’s true but there is a strong Ralph lookalike here in Richmond. He works for the council.
“He was a rare Tory supporter in Liverpool ”
He wasn’t quite so rare in the Liverpool of the early 80s. The then Croxteth ward (now West Derby) which included Brookside close elected Tory councillors in 1982 and this was probably assisted not only by Harry and Edna Cross but also Paul and Annabelle Collins, though the latter undoubtedly was a wet and probably had defected to the Lib Dems by 1987. The Grants of course were Labour (Militant) but the Corkhills who joined the series a bit later were of a distinctly Orange Tory background, but in common with many of that ilk probably abandoned their ancestral party loyalties at some stage during the 80s.
The lovely Heather Haversham was also a probable Tory voter in the 1980s. Probably New Labour latterly.
The only soap I’ve ever been interested in is Neighbours, although I haven’t watched it for about 10 years.
Tony Abbott for PM on 21st August!
It would be an stunning result for the Liberals if they win and Abbott becomes PM, and a very bad result for Labor since I think governments usually last longer than 3 years in Australia. Most polls are showing a swing to Labor in Victoria but a swing to the Liberals/Nationals in areas like Western Australia and Queensland.
I started reading Andy’s post and thought he was saying it would be stunning if the Lib Dems managed to hold Brent Central even if Diane Abbott became Labour leader, and Prime Minister.
First things first Andy. Let her become Leader first! Then we’ll think about her becoming PM.
It would be a stunning result for the LIberals if Diane Abbott became PM. And for the Conservatives, UKIP, BNP, SNP etc etc
Perhaps not if she’s become PM Pete. I think if she became Labour leader it would be a good result for the parties you mention