**Croydon North West (electoral division)**
**Definition**
Croydon North West was a parliamentary electoral division in the United Kingdom, represented in the House of Commons. It existed as a constituency from 1950 until its abolition in 1997, covering a portion of the London Borough of Croydon.
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## Croydon North West (electoral division)
### Overview
Croydon North West was a UK parliamentary constituency located in the London Borough of Croydon. Established for the 1950 general election, it returned one Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons using the first-past-the-post voting system. The constituency was abolished in 1997, when it was largely replaced by the Croydon North and Croydon Central constituencies.
### Historical Context
The creation of Croydon North West in 1950 was part of a wider reorganization of parliamentary constituencies following the Representation of the People Act 1948. This act aimed to equalize the size of constituencies and reflect population changes after World War II. Croydon, a large suburban area in South London, was divided into multiple constituencies to accommodate its growing population.
### Boundaries
#### Initial Boundaries (1950–1955)
Upon its creation, Croydon North West comprised the northern and western parts of the County Borough of Croydon. The exact wards included were subject to local government boundaries at the time, which were periodically reviewed.
#### Revised Boundaries (1955–1974)
In 1955, boundary changes adjusted the constituency to better reflect demographic shifts. The constituency continued to cover northern and western Croydon but with some wards added or removed to balance electorate size.
#### Further Changes (1974–1983)
The Local Government Act 1972 led to the creation of the London Borough of Croydon in 1965, which affected parliamentary boundaries. The 1974 general election saw Croydon North West’s boundaries realigned to correspond with the new borough wards.
#### Final Boundaries (1983–1997)
The 1983 boundary review, implemented for the general election that year, defined Croydon North West as including the wards of Bensham Manor, Broad Green, Norbury, Selhurst, South Norwood, and Thornton Heath within the London Borough of Croydon. These boundaries remained until the constituency’s abolition in 1997.
### Demographics and Socioeconomic Profile
Croydon North West was a diverse suburban constituency characterized by a mix of residential areas, commercial zones, and green spaces. The area included a range of socioeconomic groups, from middle-class suburbs to more working-class neighborhoods. Over time, the constituency saw increasing ethnic diversity, particularly in areas such as Norbury and Thornton Heath.
### Political History
#### Early Years (1950s–1960s)
Initially, Croydon North West was a marginal seat, with both Conservative and Labour parties competing closely. The post-war period saw fluctuating political fortunes, reflecting national trends and local demographic changes.
#### Labour Dominance (1970s–1980s)
From the 1970s onwards, Croydon North West became a stronghold for the Labour Party. The constituency elected Labour MPs consistently during this period, reflecting the party’s appeal to the working-class and ethnically diverse electorate.
#### Notable MPs
One of the most prominent MPs for Croydon North West was Bill Pitt, who represented the constituency from 1966 to 1970. Another significant figure was Malcolm Wicks, who served as MP from 1992 until the constituency’s abolition in 1997 and subsequently represented Croydon North.
### Election Results
Throughout its existence, Croydon North West experienced competitive elections, with varying majorities. The seat was contested in every general election from 1950 to 1992, with the Labour Party generally maintaining control from the mid-1970s onward.
### Abolition and Successor Constituencies
The 1997 boundary review led to the abolition of Croydon North West. Its territory was divided primarily between the new Croydon North and Croydon Central constituencies. This change reflected ongoing population shifts and efforts to equalize constituency sizes.
### Legacy
Croydon North West’s history illustrates the evolving political landscape of suburban London in the latter half of the 20th century. The constituency’s demographic changes and political shifts mirrored broader national trends, including urban diversification and the realignment of party support.
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## See Also
– London Borough of Croydon
– UK Parliamentary constituencies
– Croydon North (UK Parliament constituency)
– Croydon Central (UK Parliament constituency)
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## References
*Note: This article is based on historical records and electoral data pertaining to the Croydon North West parliamentary constituency.*
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**Meta Description:**
Croydon North West was a UK parliamentary constituency in the London Borough of Croydon from 1950 to 1997, known for its diverse electorate and shifting political landscape. It was abolished in 1997 and replaced by Croydon North and Croydon Central constituencies.