Rayleigh and Wickford (UK Parliament constituency)

Rayleigh and Wickford is a constituency represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since its 2010 creation by Mark Francois, a Conservative.

Constituency profile
This small-town studded portion of rural Essex reaches out almost as far as the North Sea beside Rochford and has income levels on average slightly above the national average, low unemployment, and little social housing.

History
The seat was created for the 2010 general election following a review of the Parliamentary representation of Essex by the Boundary Commission for England. It was formed from the majority of the abolished constituency of Rayleigh, together with the town of Wickford, previously in the abolished constituency of Billericay.

Francois was previously Member of Parliament for Rayleigh.

2010–2024

 * The Borough of Basildon wards of Wickford Castledon, Wickford North, and Wickford Park
 * The District of Rochford wards of Ashingdon and Canewdon, Downhall and Rawreth, Grange, Hawkwell North, Hawkwell South, Hawkwell West, Hockley Central, Hockley North, Hockley West, Hullbridge, Lodge, Rayleigh Central, Sweyne Park, Trinity, Wheatley and Whitehouse.

Current
Further to the 2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which came into effect for the 2024 general election, the composition of the constituency is as follows (as they existed on 1 December 2020):


 * The Borough of Basildon wards of: Wickford Castledon; Wickford North; Wickford Park.
 * The District of Rochford wards of: Downhall & Rawreth; Hawkwell East; Hawkwell West; Hockley; Hockley & Ashingdon; Hullbridge; Lodge; Sweyne Park & Grange; Trinity; Wheatley.

Minor loss of sparsely populated area in the east of the constituency to the newly named Southend East and Rochford seat.

Members of Parliament
Rayleigh and Billericay prior to 2010

Elections in the 2010s

 * * Served as an MP in the 2005–2010 Parliament