Finchley (UK Parliament constituency)
Finchley was a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament from 1918 until 1997. It was located in North London, and was known for being the seat of Margaret Thatcher from 1959 until its abolition.
History
The constituency was created in 1918, formed from parts of the abolished Hornsey constituency. It consistently returned Conservative Members of Parliament (MPs) throughout its existence. Its boundaries shifted over time to reflect population changes, but it generally encompassed the Finchley area and surrounding neighbourhoods.
Margaret Thatcher's tenure as the MP for Finchley (from 1959 to 1992) significantly raised the constituency's profile. During her time as Prime Minister (1979-1990), Finchley became synonymous with her political ideology and policies.
In 1997, as part of boundary changes recommended by the Boundary Commission, the Finchley constituency was abolished. The majority of its territory was incorporated into the new constituency of Finchley and Golders Green.
Boundaries
The exact boundaries of Finchley varied over time. In general, it covered areas within the London Borough of Barnet, including Finchley, Church End, and parts of surrounding areas. Specific boundary changes were enacted following periodic reviews by the Boundary Commission. Maps detailing these boundaries can be found at the Boundary Commission's archives and related electoral resources.
Members of Parliament
- 1918–1935: Sir Allan Hume Burgoyne, Conservative
- 1935–1959: John Crowder, Conservative
- 1959–1992: Margaret Thatcher, Conservative
- 1992–1997: Hartley Booth, Conservative
Election Results
Detailed election results for Finchley from 1918 to 1997 can be found in various historical election resources, including constituency result databases maintained by organisations such as the House of Commons Library and academic institutions specializing in electoral studies. These records show the vote share for each candidate in each general election and by-election held in the constituency.
Succession
Following the abolishment of the Finchley constituency in 1997, its constituents were primarily represented by the MP for the new constituency of Finchley and Golders Green.