After the 1984 boundary changes based on the new UK parliamentary constituencies created in 1983, it consisted of Braintree, Harwich, North Colchester, Rochford, Saffron Walden, South Colchester and Maldon, Southend East and Southend West.[2] Harwich had previously been part of the Suffolk constituency.
The constituency was abolished in 1994. Braintree, Harwich, North Colchester, Saffron Walden and South Colchester and Maldon became part of Essex North and Suffolk South. Rochford, Southend East and Southend West were now part of the new constituency of Essex South.[3]
^European Parliament Information Office, MEPs and their constituencies, December 1988
^The European Parliament 1994–1999 : MEPs and European constituencies in the United Kingdom, London : UK Office of the European Parliament, November 1994.
^Europe votes 3 : European parliamentary election results 1989, ed. by T.T. Mackie, Dartmouth, 1990.
^Europe votes 2 : European Parliamentary election results, 1979–1984, eds. T.T. Mackie and F.W.S. Craig, Chichester: Parliamentary Research Services, 1985.
^European Parliament election 1979 : United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland : results of the European election on 7 June 1979, Luxembourg: European Parliament, October 1983