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.[2] In line with most of Greater London since 2000 many parts, especially Stamford Hill, Upper Clapton, Lower Clapton[3] 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.[4] Demographically, almost 60% of households are singletons and households have a higher than average level of unemployment.[4]
The seat was created in 1950 and has gone through many changes: in January 2006 the boundary moved again, this time to correspond with the local government ward boundaries.
Following major electoral reform at the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, also known as the Third Reform Act, the seat of Hackney was divided into two and Hackney North was formed, this time to return only one Member of Parliament, commencing with the 1885 general election.
The seat's narrowest majority of 18.3% was in 1979 and its greatest, 62.4%, was in 2017. The 2015 result made the seat the 18th safest of Labour's 232 seats by percentage of majority and seventh safest in London.[5]
In the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, the constituency voted remain by 79.1%. This was the third highest support for remain for a constituency.[6]
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.
2010–2024: The London Borough of Hackney wards of Brownswood, Cazenove, Clissold, Dalston, Hackney Downs, Leabridge, Lordship, New River, Springfield, and Stoke Newington Central.
2024–present: The London Borough of Hackney wards of Cazenove, Clissold, Hackney Downs, King's Park, Lea Bridge, Shacklewell, Springfield, Stamford Hill West, and Stoke Newington.[7]
Brownswood and Woodberry Down wards were transferred to Tottenham, and Dalston ward to Hackney South and Shoreditch, in exchange for the King's Park ward.