Harwich and North Essex

The Harwich and North Essex constituency is located in Essex and covers the rural areas surrounding the city of Colchester. Its largest town is Harwich which has a population of around 20,000.^[2] Other settlements include the Colchester neighbourhoods of The Hythe and Old Heath, the towns of Brightlingsea, West Mersea, Wivenhoe and Manningtree and the villages of West Bergholt and Lawford. The area has a maritime heritage and the constituency's coastal towns have a history of shipbuilding and fishing. Brightlingsea has a connection with the Cinque Ports confederation as a "limb" or subsidiary of the port of Sandwich in Kent.^[3] Harwich International Port offers regular ferry services to the Hook of Holland and the town was the home port of the Mayflower, which transported English settlers to Massachusetts in 1620. The constituency contains the main campus of the University of Essex, which lies just outside Wivenhoe. The constituency has average levels of wealth; Harwich has high levels of deprivation whilst the rural areas are generally affluent.^[4] House prices are similar to the national average.^[5]

In general, residents of Harwich and North Essex are older and have average levels of income and education compared to the rest of the country.^[5] A high proportion of residents work in education.^[6] White people made up 94% of the population at the 2021 census.^[5] At the local council level, most of the constituency is represented by Conservatives, whilst some rural areas elected Liberal Democrats and Harwich elected Labour Party councillors. An estimated 56% of voters in the constituency supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, higher than the nationwide figure of 52%.^[5]

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 North Essex, together with the town of Harwich and surrounding areas, previously part of the abolished Harwich constituency, with the remainder of the Harwich seat creating the new seat of Clacton.

Jenkin was previously Member of Parliament for North Essex.

Map of boundaries 2010–2024

2010–2024: The District of Tendring wards of Alresford, Ardleigh and Little Bromley, Bradfield, Wrabness and Wix, Brightlingsea, Great and Little Oakley, Great Bentley, Harwich and Kingsway, Lawford, Manningtree, Mistley, Little Bentley and Tendring, Ramsey and Parkeston, and Thorrington, Frating, Elmstead and Great Bromley, and the Borough of Colchester wards of Dedham and Langham, East Donyland, Fordham and Stour, Great Tey, Pyefleet, West Bergholt and Eight Ash Green, West Mersea, Wivenhoe Cross, and Wivenhoe Quay.^[7]

2024–present: The District of Tendring wards of Alresford & Elmstead, Ardleigh & Little Bromley, Brightlingsea, Dovercourt All Saints, Dovercourt Bay, Dovercourt Tollgate, Dovercourt Vines & Parkeston, Harwich & Kingsway, Lawford, Manningtree & Mistley, and Stour Valley, and the City of Colchester wards of Lexden & Braiswick (part); Mersea & Pyefleet, Old Heath & The Hythe, Rural North, and Wivenhoe.^[8]

Minor changes – Old Heath and The Hythe areas to the south east of Colchester city centre added from Colchester, offset by the transfer of some rural areas in the east to Clacton.

Harwich and North Essex prior to 2010

• Parliamentary constituencies in Essex
• Parliamentary constituencies in the East of England