Probably most famous for its rugby ground, Twickenham is a leafy, largely residential middle class constituency just south of the river Thames. The constituency falls in the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames.
Twickenham, along with neighbouring Richmond Park and Kingston and Surbiton, elected a Lib Dem MP in 1997; Vincent Cable won the seat with a majority of 4,281. Mr Cable defeated the Conservative Toby Jessel who had been MP since 1970. The Lib Dems have had a strong hold on the local council since the early 1980s, although their support has slipped a little towards Labour in recent years.
The regeneration of Twickenham town centre is an important area of local interest. Since the closure of Twickenham swimming pool in 1980, the site, on the riverside opposite Eel Pie Island, has been derelict.
The council has now approved a development which would create 40 flats, plus shops and restaurants, a health and fitness club, and a 3-screen cinema, but this decision is being contested by some local groups who seek a less commercial purpose for the site."