In 1992, Keith Hill ousted Sir William Shelton, who had represented the constituency for over 22 years, to become the first Labour MP for Streatham since the seatís creation in 1918.
Meaning hamlet on the street, Streatham, lies on the A23 London to Brighton Road. Increasingly inner-city in nature, the constituency extends well beyond Streatham to embrace communities in Balham, Brixton and Clapham. It is a constituency of great variety, ranging from the inner city to the tree-lined streets of the suburbs - pluralist, multi-ethnic, in considerable demographic flux.
Streatham Hill and Streatham High road, once known as the West End of south London, were particular casualties of economic recession and became known for their particularly dilapidated appearances.
The core of deprivation lies in the Brixton area of the constituency. In Town Hall ward, unemployment ranges between 20 and 25%, much of it long term; among young men, the figure is much higher.