Battleground Anglia: Rayleigh & Wickford

The Conservatives won the Rayleigh & Wickford constituency in Essex at the 2010 General Election with a majority of more than 22,000 votes. Credit: ITV News Anglia

This Essex constituency was created for the 2010 election based on most of the former Rayleigh seat, with the exception of South Woodham, Rettendon and Runwell, which were drawn into the new Maldon seat.

Wickford was added from the former Billericay seat, and is one of the main centres of population, along with Rayleigh and Hockley.

The constituency is covered by Rochford and Basildon district councils, and borders the outskirts of Southend and Basildon to the south.

Before the Second World War the constituency was largely rural, known for its attractive villages and picturesque riverside views. Rapid population growth since has led to much of the land being developed, although there are still many quiet, attractive riverside areas along the Crouch.

  • Conservative majority in 2010:22,338

  • Second safest Conservative seat in the Anglia region and the 20th safest seat in the UK for any party

  • Labour would need a swing of 22% to win in 2015 and the Lib Dems would need a 21% swing

Rayleigh & Wickford is the safest seat in Essex, Suffolk or Norfolk for any party.

The current incumbent, Defence Minister Mark Francois, has been the MP for the area since 2001.

Candidates in 2015

  • Mark Francois - Conservative

  • John Hayter - UKIP

  • David Hough - Labour

  • Linda Kendall - Independent

  • Mike Pitt - Liberal Democrats

  • Sarah Yapp - Green

The full list of candidates will be confirmed when nominations close on 9 April.