Brent North
Notional 2005 Results:
Labour: 23068 (50.3%)
Conservative: 13134 (28.6%)
Liberal Democrat: 8353 (18.2%)
Other: 1334 (2.9%)
Majority: 9934 (21.6%)
Actual 2005 result
Conservative: 11779 (33%)
Labour: 17420 (48.8%)
Liberal Democrat: 5672 (15.9%)
Other: 811 (2.3%)
Majority: 5641 (15.8%)
2001 Result
Conservative: 9944 (29.3%)
Labour: 20149 (59.4%)
Liberal Democrat: 3846 (11.3%)
Majority: 10205 (30.1%)
1997 Result
Conservative: 15324 (40.1%)
Labour: 19343 (50.7%)
Liberal Democrat: 3104 (8.1%)
Other: 403 (1.1%)
Majority: 4019 (10.5%)
Boundary changes: Major. Retains most of the old Brent North, although loses part of Tokyngton and Welsh Harp to Brent Central, but gains around a third of the old Brent South seat, including Alperton, Wembley and parts of Barnhill and Sudbury.
Profile:
High ethnic population in UK constituencies is normally associated with deprived inner city seats, but Brent North is most owner-occupied residential suburbs. This is a seat of upwardly mobile successful Asians. Despite the high Labour Parliamentary majority, they (as of July 2007) hold only three council seats in the constituency – all in Fryent ward, compared to the Conservative`s 15 and Liberal Democrats 9. Barry Gardiner has a substantial twenty percent majority, but Brent North is not necessarily the Labour stronghold it appears on paper.
Current MP: Barry Gardiner(Labour) born 1957, Glasgow. Educated at Glasgow High School and St Andrews University. Ran a company of international maritime arbitators until his election. Cambridge councillor 1988-1994. First elected as MP for Brent North in 1997. Former PPS to Beverley Hughes 2002-4. Parliamentary Under-Secretary at the Northern Ireland office 2004-5, the DTI 2005-6, DEFRA 2006 to 2007 (more information at They work for you)
Candidates: 
James Allie (Liberal Democrat) Brent councillor. Contested Brent South 2005.
Martin Francis (Green) 
Atiq Malik (Independent) Brent councillor, originally elected as a Conservative.
2001 Census Demographics
Total 2001 Population: 110762
Male: 48.9%
Female: 51.1%
Under 18: 23.2%
Over 60: 17.1%
Born outside UK: 48.1%
White: 37.7%
Black: 13.8%
Asian: 41.8%
Mixed: 3.1%
Other: 3.6%
Christian: 39%
Hindu: 27.8%
Jewish: 3.5%
Muslim: 12.8%
Sikh: 1.2%
Full time students: 8%
Graduates 16-74: 29.2%
No Qualifications 16-74: 24%
Owner-Occupied: 68.9%
Social Housing: 13.7% (Council: 6.5%, Housing Ass.: 7.2%)
Privately Rented: 14.4%
Homes without central heating and/or private bathroom: 5.9%
Matt,
It will not make any difference. Tories will be completely wiped out from Brent Central in Council elections. They have now 2 Councillors in Brent Central both were originally elected as Labour.
Atiq,
I know there is a Malaysian who could be a unifying new attraction, as there would be no difficulty appealing to Tamils, Muslims and Blacks. Barry might get a fright!
Do you have any views at that likelihood?
Robert,
There are nearly 35,000 Indian Voters, Barry is Current Chair of Labour Friends of India, and has close ties with the leadership of BJP a right wing Indian Political Party and local Indian/Hindu Associations.
None of the following will endorse a Tory candidate.
1. Temples (Tamil)
2. Hindu (Indian Temples)
3. Mosques
4. Indian Association
5. Pakistani Association (Please note nearly 60% of Muslim voters in the constituency are of Pakistani origin (Over 7000 )
Robert,
IMO nothing has changed in Brent North it is still remain in a mess. On 25 February at the AGM the same old (Freemason) Guard will be re-elected un-opposed to run Brent North. I suggest the way forward would be in order to heal the dreadful rift that is affecting the party locally, is to put Brent North immediately into Special Measures; so that CCHQ can impose a candidate like myself.
I know I will be able to heal the rift between the blacks and the Muslims who are very upset at the moment the way they have been treated by the local party association.
And this will no doubt enable us to carry out a positive and effective campaign.
Guys
Now that all the other candidates are male, if the tories select a female and a gujarati, and dare I say it a Patel, some 18,950 in Brent North with 9600 Patel’s,
they will Barry Gardiner some nightmares for sure, and Labour insiders worst nightmare is a well respected gujarati councillor in Harrow, with a proven record of taking on Labour in its solid wards and winning, Greenhill, Kenton West, Harrow West etc.
But knowing the track record of Brent North, they will take time and then once again make a stupid selection, unless CCHQ take control, after all there are now only 12 weeks before a General Election .
Atiq,
Are you in the ‘list of six’ which we are told is now closed?
Robert,
I am not member of the party anymore.
It is surprising that the Tories to date have not selected
as candidate for Brent North.
Maybe they are considering parachuting in someone at
last minute.
Ravi
There are two well known Patels on the Brent North candidate list. No names for the time being.
As for Atiq, I offered him a bet that he would loose his deposit if he stands in Brent N but he would not take the bet.
John,
You had very well known Patels in the past as well who contested for Wembley Central & Stonebridge ward, they both lost, one of them lost to a Labour (Patel) and only got elected later on in Tory held (safe) wards, one of them I understand has changed his surname since.
During 2002 Council elections Brent North Conservatives Association was taken over by a very high profile & influential Patel, who gave you nearly 2 dozen candidates for Council elections, none of them won.
Being a Patel, Muslim, Jew, White, Black, Hindu etc, does not guarantee a victory.
I can assure you that will not lose my deposit, but you will definitely lose your seat. I was in your ward today and will be in your ward till 6th May.