The constituency has always elected Labour MPs since its creation in 1950. While well connected to Central London, including the City of London, the seat generally has moderate incomes rather than high, and a narrow majority of wards had a relatively high ranking when placed in the Index of Multiple Deprivation, compiled in 2000. In line with most of Greater London since 2000 many parts, especially Stamford Hill, Upper Clapton, Lower Clapton have become marginal in terms of local councillors and these districts, with to a lesser extent the eponymous Hackney and Stoke Newington, are in the process of becoming re-gentrified with ongoing increases in land value, proximity to the London 2012 venues and a council that successfully reduced the level of crime by about 30% within a four-year period. Demographically, almost 60% of households are singletons and households have a higher than average level of unemployment. Through all these changes, under incumbent Diane Abbott, the seat has become a safe seat for Labour. Prior to her promotion to the Shadow Cabinet, Abbott for many years was Labour's regular commentator opposite Michael Portillo on the light-hearted political round-up series This Week, and continued to appear on the show periodically until its cancellation in 2019. On 23 February 2020, Abbott announced she would be returning to the backbenches upon the election of the new Labour leader on 4 April that year.
1950–1955: The Metropolitan Borough of Hackney wards of Leaside, Maury, Southwold, Springfield, and Stamford, and the Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington. 1955–1974: The Metropolitan Borough of Hackney wards of Northfield, Northwold, Rectory, and Springfield, and the Metropolitan Borough of Stoke Newington. 1974–1983: The London Borough of Hackney wards of Brownswood, Clissold, Defoe, New River, Northfield, Northwold, and Springfield. 1983–2010: The London Borough of Hackney wards of Brownswood, Clissold, Eastdown, Leabridge, New River, North Defoe, Northfield, Northwold, Rectory, South Defoe, and Springfield. 2010–present: The London Borough of Hackney wards of Brownswood, Cazenove, Clissold, Dalston, Hackney Downs, Leabridge, Lordship, New River, Springfield, and Stoke Newington Central. The constituency covers the northern part of the London Borough of Hackney. The seat is bordered by the constituencies of Hackney South and Shoreditch, Islington North, Tottenham, and Walthamstow.
Members of Parliament
Election results
Elections in the 2010s
1: After the close of nominations, the Liberal Democrats suspended its support for Mathis's candidacy over tweets he made. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/E14000720