BBC Profile:
For over 20 years from the creation of the seat in 1974 until 1997, Braintree was represented by former Conservative Cabinet minister Tony Newton. He was, however, one of seven Cabinet ministers defeated in 1997. His majority of 13,338 was wiped out with a swing to Labour of almost 13% that elected Labour's candidate, solicitor Alan Hurst, with a majority of 1,451.

Hurst retained the seat in 2001, but his majority was cut to just 358 votes, and the seat was re-taken for the Conservatives by Brooks Newmark in 2005.

At the election, boundary changes transfer nine wards in the southern part of the constituency into the new Witham constituency: Black Notley and Terling; Bradwell, Silver End and Rivenhall; Coggeshall and North Feering; Hatfield Peverel; Kelvedon and the four wards of Witham itself. The new boundary extends further north and includes eight wards and two part-wards that were previously in Saffron Walden: Bumpstead, Gosfield and Greenstead Green (part), Halstead St Andrews, Halstead Trinity, Hedingham and Maplestead, Stour Valley North, Stour Valley South, The Three Colnes (part), Upper Colne and Yeldham. To find out what might have happened had this boundary change been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

Braintree lies in north Essex on the Roman road that links Colchester with St Albans, close to Stansted airport. Apart from the market towns of Braintree and Halstead the constituency has a rural flavo

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BBC Profile:
For over 20 years from the creation of the seat in 1974 until 1997, Braintree was represented by former Conservative Cabinet minister Tony Newton. He was, however, one of seven Cabinet ministers defeated in 1997. His majority of 13,338 was wiped out with a swing to Labour of almost 13% that elected Labour's candidate, solicitor Alan Hurst, with a majority of 1,451.

Hurst retained the seat in 2001, but his majority was cut to just 358 votes, and the seat was re-taken for the Conservatives by Brooks Newmark in 2005.

At the election, boundary changes transfer nine wards in the southern part of the constituency into the new Witham constituency: Black Notley and Terling; Bradwell, Silver End and Rivenhall; Coggeshall and North Feering; Hatfield Peverel; Kelvedon and the four wards of Witham itself. The new boundary extends further north and includes eight wards and two part-wards that were previously in Saffron Walden: Bumpstead, Gosfield and Greenstead Green (part), Halstead St Andrews, Halstead Trinity, Hedingham and Maplestead, Stour Valley North, Stour Valley South, The Three Colnes (part), Upper Colne and Yeldham. To find out what might have happened had this boundary change been in force at the last election, see a notional - or estimated - result below.

Braintree lies in north Essex on the Roman road that links Colchester with St Albans, close to Stansted airport. Apart from the market towns of Braintree and Halstead the constituency has a rural flavour.

Braintree is a relatively prosperous and affluent constituency.

Services are the largest employment sector, although Braintree district has a higher than average percentage of employees in manufacturing industries. There is also a small tourist industry, and many residents commute into London.

Rallings & Thrasher Notional:
C 22,422 (49.94%)
Lab 13,764 (30.66%)
LD 6,100 (13.59%)
Green 1,308 (2.91%)
UKIP 1,076 (2.40%)
Others 228 (0.51%)

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