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> United Kingdom > England > London > London
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| Established | July 05, 1945 |
| Disbanded | Still Active |
| Contributor | RP |
| Last Modified | IndyGeorgia April 02, 2018 07:05pm |
| Description |
For almost 500 years between the 14th and 19th Centuries, Barking was a centre of fishing, supplying London as well as local markets. Its Saxon abbey, built around AD666, was used by William the Conqueror while he waited for the Tower of London to be finished. It finally succumbed to Henry VIII's dissolution in 1539. Currently the seat of Children's Minister Margaret Hodge, Barking has been represented in Parliament by some illustrious MPs. Among them was homosexual activist Tom Driberg (1959-74), and Jo Richardson (1974-94), an indefatigable campaigner on women's issues - a role also pursued by her successor. Following Jo Richardson's death, Mrs Hodge won the seat at the 1994 by-election with a 72% share of the vote, and a 70% majority. In 2001 her vote share was 60% and her majority 38%. Like neighbouring Dagenham in the Thatcher years of the 1980s, many voters were seduced by the right-to-buy and Labour's vote here was squeezed. At the 1987 General Election, Labour's majority was just 3,400. Barking lies adjacent to the heart of London. Like the capital, it has increasingly has taken on characteristics of a multi-racial city.
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