The constituency of Tottenham is one of two seats in the London Borough of Haringey in north London, and in 2001 had an electorate of 64,888. The local wards that make up the constituency of Tottenham are: Bruce Grove, Harringay, Northumberland Park, St. Ann's, Seven Sisters, Tottenham Green, Tottenham Hale, West Green and White Hart Lane.

Tottenham has existed as a place-name for at least 1000 years. Tottenham was a very early settlement established in the forests on the western bank of the River Lea. By the 18th century Tottenham was a well-established village. By 1891, Tottenham's population alone had soared to 71,343 and carried on increasing to reach a peak of nearly 160,000 in 1931.

Tottenham is easily reached from the centre of London, Seven Sisters tube is only three stops away from Kings Cross. A fast link to Stansted Airport and Liverpool Street connects with the Victoria Line at Tottenham Hale over ground station. Although an urban parliamentary seat and home to the world famous Tottenham Hotspurs, Tottenham also has a number of rural attributes. The historic Alexandra Palace is a short bus ride away, and Bruce Castle museum is the home of Haringey's local history collections and archives. The beautiful river Lea and its intricate canal system winds its way through Tottenham.

Unusually for a London parliamentary seat, Tottenham has a strong industrial nature. Engineering, clothing and confectionery firms are all well represented. Hi-tech industry is also flourishing, most notably at the Lea Valley Technopark, along with the service and cultural industries. Tottenham is home to three centres of early years excellence and two higher education establishments, The University of Middlesex and The College of North East London. Tottenham has a young age profile, with less than 15 per cent of the electorate aged over 65, and 50 per cent aged under 40.

Tottenham is one of the most ethnically diverse constituencies in the country. Almost 40 per cent of the population belongs to ethnic communities and over 200 languages are spoken. It is home to large Cypriot, Turkish and Irish communities, as well as a significant proportion of people of West African and Caribbean origin. Although Tottenham is one of the most deprived constituencies in the country, it is rich in its diversity and multi-faith, multi-cultural community.