Barry Sheerman has been Labour's sitting MP in this constituency since 1979, when the seat was known as Huddersfield East. Since then, the party has strengthened its grip, helped in part by boundary changes in 1983 which saw several of the constituency's affluent, Tory-voting suburbs moved into the neighbouring Colne Valley constituency.
The social composition of this constituency, both in its past and present boundaries, shows why it has tended to be such a Labour stronghold since the Second World War. 17% of the population are non-white, 24% of homes are council houses and 10% of the population are unemployed, social trends that have allowed Labour to flourish in West Yorkshire for many years.
Although many regard Huddersfield as a gritty, northern town situated in the industrial heartland, it has done much to modernise its image.
While industry still plays an important role, renovated buildings and a smoke-free zone that encompasses the whole of the borough of Kirklees have made the town far more appealing to residents and visitors alike. Textile, chemical and engineering industries are favoured in this constituency, and a sizeable proportion of the workforce are non-manual.