ex-Liberal Democrat group leader on Leicestershire County Council, where the village forms part of the Launde division. Houghton is also a civil parish with a parish council made up of independent elected members. Houghton was, until 1997, part of the Harborough constituency at Westminster, represented by Edward Garnier. However, following boundary alterations that year, it was moved into the neighbouring constituency of Rutland and Melton, whose MP since 2019 has been Alicia Kearns. Former railway There used to be a railway that ran through Ingarsby, approximately two miles north of Houghton. Its station was named Ingarsby for Houghton on the Hill owing to its use by commuters from the larger village. The railway line and station were closed in 1954, but both the station building and the station master's house remain in Ingarsby, having been converted to residential properties. The most notable sign of the railway's existence is a long unused rail tunnel. This is notable because one portal was demolished, leaving only one entry point and no exit. References External links Houghton C of E Primary School Harborough Online Villages in Leicestershire Civil parishes in Harborough District