Ilford South

No boundary changes: There was some consideration of moving Cranbrook ward to Leyton and Wanstead to reduce the disparity in size between the two seats, but it was rejected as it would have crossed the obvious natural boundary of Wanstead flats, the river Roding and the North Circular.

Profile: Ilford South was traditionally a true marginal and a good bellwether seat, since 1951 it has been won by the party that went on to form the government in every election except 1992, when it was narrowly gained by Labour. Demographic changes however mean it now appears to have become a safe Labour seat.

Ilford South was always less Conservative than its northern partner. This is a densely packed residential seat without the Essex countryside of Ilford North, it is less affluent, the housing less desirable. In many ways it resembles its neighbour East Ham more than Ilford North. Most notably it now has a very large ethnic population, comparable with seats like Bethnal Green and Bow. It is the 7th most Hindu and 11th most Muslim seat in the country. Ilford is perhaps still associated with the suburban essex part of London, but demographic change has since made this seat part of ethnically diverse east London.

Current MP: Mike Gapes(Labour) born 1952, Wanstead. Educated at Buckhurst Hill County Hill and Cambridge University. Former Labour party organiser. Contested Ilford North 1983. First elected as MP for Ilford South in 1992. Has served as PPS to Paul Murphy, Adam Ingram and Jeff Rooker. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee since 2005 (more information at They work for you)

2010 election candidates:
Toby Boutle (Conservative) Educated at Queen Mary`s College, Basingstoke, and Oxford University. Barrister and former speechwriter for William Hague.
Mike Gapes(Labour) born 1952, Wanstead. Educated at Buckhurst Hill County Hill and Cambridge University. Former Labour party organiser. Contested Ilford North 1983. First elected as MP for Ilford South in 1992. Has served as PPS to Paul Murphy, Adam Ingram and Jeff Rooker. Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee since 2005 (more information at They work for you)
Anood Al-Samerai (Liberal Democrat)
Wilson Chowdhry (Green)
Terry Murray (UKIP)
John Jestico (Save King George Hospital)