London · England · 73,979Boundary · 2023

Eltham & Chislehurst

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Created in the 2023 boundary review, from parts of Bromley and Chislehurst and Eltham.

Dispatch
Apr 2026

Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Greenwich and Bromley. Population 111,215.

One of Labour's longest-serving MPs broke ranks on a significant welfare vote in July 2025, voting against the government's Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill at Second Reading -- and supporting a Conservative reasoned amendment designed to block it entirely. That makes Efford one of a relatively small number of Labour MPs to rebel on welfare reform, a politically charged issue given disability rights concerns about the bill's potential cuts to PIP. Otherwise, he has attracted sustained attention for his work on infected blood compensation, pressing the government at PMQs in late 2024 and publicly accusing ministers of changing the scheme "behind closed doors" -- interventions that secured a direct commitment from the Prime Minister for further meetings with victims.

A 28-year veteran of the Commons, Efford votes with Labour 99% of the time outside that welfare rebellion. His participation rate of 75% sits below the Commons average. Speeches concentrate on economy and jobs, health, social care, and defence -- consistent with his role chairing the Select Committee on the Armed Forces Bill, a significant position that signals genuine engagement with defence policy. He deviates from his Labour colleagues by voting more favourably on business flexibility measures (+23 percentage points above the party average), and less favourably on welfare expansion (-11 points), which contextualises his PIP rebellion as reflecting a more cautious approach to benefit reform rather than left-wing opposition to cuts.

349
Commons votes
This parliament
£34k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
74.0k
Electorate
2024 GE

A new constituency created in the 2023 boundary review.

Current Member of Parliament

Clive Efford

Clive Efford

Labour Party

Clive Efford is the Labour MP for Eltham and Chislehurst, and has been an MP continually since 1 May 1997.

Notable Votes

MPs voted on a 'reasoned amendment' at the Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill — a procedural move by the opposition to block the bill from progressing, signalling rejection of the government's proposed welfare reforms. The bill seeks to make changes to Universal Credit and PIP (Personal Independence Payment) eligibility and assessments.

MP voted YesAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

MPs voted on whether to give the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill a Second Reading, allowing it to progress through Parliament. This bill proposes significant changes to the welfare system, including reforms to how disability benefits (PIP) are assessed and restrictions on who qualifies for the health-related component of Universal Credit.

MP voted NoAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

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Voting at a Glance

Won by Lab in its first election in 2024. Covers Greenwich and Bromley. Population 111,215.

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Efford’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.383 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Efford has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
75
Economy
66
Crime & Policing
44
Employment
35
Education
33
Housing
22
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Reasoned Amendment at Second Reading01 Jul 2025
Aye
Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill: Second Reading01 Jul 2025
No
§ 08The local picture.7 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Eltham PageMiranda Williams1,030Labour P
Eltham PageSarah Merrill1,152Labour P
Eltham Town Avery HillLauren Dingsdale1,921Labour P
Eltham Town Avery HillPat Greenwell1,763Conserva
Eltham Town Avery HillSammy Backon1,870Labour P
Kidbrooke ParkJohn Fahy1,270Labour P
Kidbrooke ParkOdette McGahey1,284Labour P
Kidbrooke Village SutcliffeDave Sullivan655Labour P
Kidbrooke Village SutcliffeSandra Bauer865Labour P
Middle Park Horn ParkChris May1,302Labour P
Middle Park Horn ParkRachel Taggart-Ryan1,242Labour P
MottinghamDavid Cartwright1,081Conserva
Population (2021 Census)
111,215
Electorate 73,979 · 2024 register
Median income
£33,900
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
16.4%
England average 20.0%
Schools
51
26 primary · 9 secondary
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More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.