Following Boundary Commission changes in 1995, the Crayford section of the former Erith and Crayford constituency was added to the Bexleyheath constituency. Bexleyheath and Crayford was one of Labour’s many surprise victories on election night in 1997.
Local politics is mixed here. Crayford, North End and Barnehust North to the east of the constituency (where there is more industry such as chemical works and plastic factories) have Labour representation, while St Michaels in the west is split between Labour and the Lib Dems. Elsewhere the Conservatives dominate.
Except in Crayford, there is little industry and most workers in the area commute into London and surrounding areas. There used to be several major engineering companies in the area - Vickers, Fraser and Chalmers and, not far away, the Woolwich arsenal - but all have now closed.
Bexleyheath and Crayford is the furthest east of the London constituencies and lies on the south bank of the River Thames. Dartford lies to the east, and the London borough of Greenwich lies to the west.
William Morris, the 19th-century designer and socialist was a resident of Bexleyheath and his house, aptly named the Red House, still stands as a memorial to him.
HOMEPAGE | NEWS | WORLD SERVICE | SPORT | MY BBC
