Editing Tong (ward) (section)

== History ==
The ward was formed from the former civil parish of Tong which in the 19th century included the settlements of [[Dudley Hill]], Tong Street, Westgate Hill, and Holme.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10472453/boundary | title = Boundary Map of Tong Ch/CP | publisher = A Vision of Britain in Time | access-date = 11 July 2017}}</ref>

The Tong political ward includes the urban areas of [[Dudley Hill]], and the council estates of [[Bierley, West Yorkshire]], [[Holme Wood]] and Sutton which is part of [[Tyersal]]. These settlements stretch along the main thoroughfare, Tong Street, which is part of the A650 road. To the west of the ward is Woodlands which is part of [[Oakenshaw, West Yorkshire|Oakenshaw]] and to the very east of the ward is Tong Village on Tong Lane. Tong Village is a small, rural village surrounded by farmers' fields, and home to a historic local cricket club, Tong CC.{{citation needed|date=July 2017}}

Coal and ironstone were mined in the area in the 19th and the early 20th centuries, and several mines are recorded.<ref>{{cite book | title = Mines of Coal and other Stratified Minerals in Yorkshire from 1854 | url = https://studylib.net/doc/8300557/mines-of-coal-and-other-stratified-minerals-in-yorkshire-...| access-date = 10 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.pdmhs.com/docs/default-source/resources/mines-list---1896/north-of-england%27s-coal-mining-industry-in-1896/north-of-england%27s-coal-mining-industry-in-1896---pdf-version/1896-45.pdf?sfvrsn=4 | title = (The East and West Ridings of) Yorkshire's Mining Industry in 1896 - A List of Coal Mines | author = Frank N. Wardell | publisher = Peak District Mines Historical Society Ltd.}}</ref>

The ward was a former Labour stronghold but, in 2019, the Labour candidate tied with the Green Party candidate Matt Edwards.<ref>{{cite book | title = UK local elections: Bradford seat decided by drawing lots | url = https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/uk/uk-local-elections-bradford-seat-decided-by-drawing-lots-1.3880240-...| access-date = 20 March 2022}}</ref> In 2021, Edwards became the first non-Labour Party councillor in the ward since it was created, with 47% of the vote. In 2022 and 2023 Labour lost both remaining councillors to the Green Party.