The closing 40 years of the seat's history saw Conservative victory — in 1997 on a very marginal majority in relative terms.
The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 defined the seat as comprising the parishes of Ashford*, Bedfont, Cowley, Cranford, Feltham, Hampton, Hampton Wick, Hanworth, Harefield, Harlington, Harmondsworth, Hayes, Hillingdon East, Hillingdon West, Ickenham, Laleham*, Littleton*, Northolt, Ruislip, Shepperton*, Staines*, Stanwell*, Sunbury*, Teddington, Uxbridge, West Drayton, and Yiewsley.
The shape of the seat was irregular and it stretched more than three times the maximum length than its final form and twice its breadth.
Large areas to the south were removed to form Spelthorne (UK Parliament constituency).
Following their review of parliamentary representation in North London, the Boundary Commission for England created a new constituency of Uxbridge and South Ruislip.