Heston and Isleworth (UK Parliament constituency) facts for kids

Heston and Isleworth was an area in the UK that elected one person to the House of Commons. This special area, called a constituency, existed from 1945 to 1974. It included the towns of Heston, Hounslow, Isleworth, and Osterley. These places were originally in Middlesex but became part of west London in 1965.

Most of the time, the people of Heston and Isleworth elected a member from the Conservative Party. However, in 1945, they voted for the Labour Party during a big election win for Labour.

What was Heston and Isleworth?

A constituency is like a special voting district. People living in that area vote for one person to represent them in the UK Parliament. This person is called a Member of Parliament (MP). The Heston and Isleworth constituency was created in 1945 and stopped existing in 1974.

Heston and Isleworth shown on a map of Middlesex. Middlesex was a county that changed in 1965, during the time this constituency existed.

Where was Heston and Isleworth?

The area covered by Heston and Isleworth changed a little over time.

Boundaries from 1950 to 1955

During these years, the constituency covered the entire Borough of Heston and Isleworth. A borough is a type of local government area.

Boundaries from 1955 to 1974

From 1955 onwards, the constituency included specific parts (called wards) of the Borough of Heston and Isleworth. These wards were Heston, Hounslow Central, Hounslow South, Hounslow West, Isleworth North, Isleworth South, and Spring Grove.

Life in Heston and Isleworth

The towns of Hounslow and Isleworth were already busy places before the 1800s. Spring Grove, near Isleworth, was a place where senior Army officers often retired. Heston, in the north-west, was a village centre.

The area had two large green spaces: Osterley Park and Syon Park. Osterley Park had a grand house that used to belong to the Earl of Jersey. Syon Park was the London home of the Duke of Northumberland. These parks were surrounded by beautiful homes and good schools.

The constituency also had a short section along the River Thames in Old Isleworth. From here, you could see Kew Gardens, a famous botanical garden. Heston was one of the oldest villages in Middlesex.

Developing the area

Most of the central and western parts of Heston and Isleworth became housing areas in the 1900s. There were small parks and gardens, and to the west, the stony Hounslow Heath. This heath also had many transport depots and light industrial businesses.

Later, some tall tower blocks were built in Heston, Hounslow, and near the Mogden Sewage Treatment Works. These were built during the time the constituency existed.

However, many houses built between the World Wars were semi-detached (two houses joined together) or low-rise flats. These homes were in areas like Osterley, Heston, and Hounslow. They were built for people who worked in London and traveled in every day. These areas were well-connected to Central London by the Hounslow Loop Line train and the Piccadilly Line underground.

Transport and housing changes

The age of cars and airplanes began while Heston and Isleworth was a constituency. The Great West Road was a new road that helped cars bypass Brentford. It became a main route to the west and led to many new houses and large factories being built along it.

Popular homes for commuters were semi-detached houses, often in a 'Tudorbethan' style (looking like Tudor houses) or a local style. They had wider windows and simple roofs. New council housing (built by the local government) and flats continued to be built until the mid-1970s.

Members of Parliament

The people who represented Heston and Isleworth in the House of Commons were:

Elections in Heston and Isleworth

Elections are how people choose their Members of Parliament. Here are some of the election results for Heston and Isleworth.

A map showing the Heston and Isleworth constituency.

1945 General Election

In the 1945 election, the Labour Party candidate, William Williams, won with 54.33% of the votes. This was a big win for Labour across the country.

1950 General Election

In 1950, the Conservative Party candidate, Richard Reader Harris, won the seat. He continued to be the MP for Heston and Isleworth for many years.

1970 General Election

In the last election for this constituency in 1970, Barney Hayhoe, a Conservative, won with a clear majority.

The Heston and Isleworth constituency was abolished in February 1974. Its area was then divided into new constituencies like Brentford & Isleworth and Feltham & Heston.