In 1997 this seat went Labour for the first time. Ann Keen won it for Labour with a majority of nearly 15,000 votes.
She joined her husband Alan Keen, elected in Feltham and Heston, in providing complete family representation for the borough of Hounslow.
The Hounslow side of the constituency is strong for Labour, and is a striking contrast to neighbouring Twickenham and Richmond wards.
It is the wards over to the territory east of the constituency: Chiswick Homefields, Chiswick Riverside, and Turnham Green where the Conservatives enjoy more success.
Chiswick has a higher number of professionals and much desirable housing. The wards of Spring Grove and Hounslow South are more marginal.
Overall unemployment here is low - 1.7% in December 2000 - and inward investment is fairly good.
The constituency is home to many multinational companies. Samsung recently moved its headquarters to Brentford and nearby Heathrow International Airport provides much employment for people who live here.
The constituency sits on the north of the Thames, encompassing Kew Gardens, Old Deer Park skimming the town of Richmond and Syon Park.