The area formed part of the London conurbation and was much reduced over the course of its existence, in 1918 and then insignificantly in 1945 due to suburbanisation and urbanisation. It returned one Member of Parliament (MP).
A section of the London metropolitan region was once part of the city's sprawling area but was greatly diminished between 1918 and 1945 as people moved out to suburbs. The remaining area eventually regained one Member of Parliament (MP) in representation.