GENERAL ELECTION: Meet ALL the candidates

In the lead up to the General Election, Jewish News profiled candidates in key battlegrounds for Jewish voters.

Marc Shoffman looked at candidates in Finchley and Golders Green, Hampstead and Kilburn, Hendon, Ilford North, Harrow East and Hertsmere.

With the election tomorrow, read about YOUR local candidates to help make up your mind.

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Finchley and Golders Green

From kosher restaurants and late-night bagel bakeries to synagogues and supermarkets, Finchley and Golders Green is a cultural and religious focal point for London’s Jews.

The seat has the highest proportion of Jewish residents in the country, with 7,661 Jews, or 37 percent of residents, according to the 2011 census.

We spoke to the constituency’s three main party candidates – READ HERE

Hampstead and Kilburn

Hampstead and Kilburn was the most closely fought seat at the last general election, with just 42 votes between Labour and the Conservatives.

With incumbent Glenda Jackson stepping down, it could be even tighter this time. While just 6.5 percent of the constituency is Jewish there are religious and cultural sites, including JW3, and big synagogues such as at St John’s Wood.

We spoke to the constituency’s three main party candidates – READ HERE

Hendon

The Hendon constituency takes in vibrant Jewish communities in Mill Hill and Edgware.

It holds the third largest Jewish population in the UK with 6,363 Jews and hosts a range of restaurants, bakeries and synagogues, of which there are 12 in Edgware. 

We spoke to the constituency’s three main party candidates – READ HERE

Ilford North

Ilford North, once home to London’s largest Jewish neighbourhoods, has faltered in recent years with four wards in Redbridge seeing their population contract by more than 40 percent.

Schools such as Clore Tikvah and King Solomon have consequently take in more non-Jews. In the 2010 census 10 percent of the constituency was Jewish.

Despite falling numbers, Ilford still holds historical significance as one of the main settling areas after the Jewish community moved from the East End.

We spoke to the constituency’s three main party candidates – READ HERE

Harrow East

Harrow East encompasses Jewish locations such as Stanmore Synagogue. The constituency has a large Indian and Hindu population but also the fourth highest number of Jewish households in any seats at 4,815.

However, the rise of Hertfordshire and Barnet has seen the overall Jewish population in Harrow fall 16 percent.

Harrow has seen some of the biggest declines, with wards such as Canons, Belmont, and Hatch End seeing a 25, 28 and 29 percent drop in Jewish population respectively.

We spoke to the constituency’s two main party candidates – READ HERE

Hertsmere

Hertsmere is home to the UK’s fastest growing Jewish community. Its Jewish population grew 35 percent between the 2001 and 2011 census and, since then, families and young couples have flocked to the new builds, synagogues and kosher shops expanding in the area.

We spoke to the constituency’s two main party candidates – READ HERE