Bolton West

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Bolton West
County constituency
for the House of Commons
North West England - Bolton West constituency.svg
Boundary of Bolton West in North West England
County Greater Manchester
Population94,523 (2011 census) [1]
Electorate 72,125 (2023) [2]
Major settlements Blackrod, Heaton, Horwich, Westhoughton
Current constituency
Created 1950
Member of Parliament Phil Brickell (Labour)
SeatsOne
Created from Bolton

Bolton West is a constituency [n 1] represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 2024 by Phil Brickell, a Labour Party politician. [n 2]

Contents

Constituency profile

The Bolton West constituency located within the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton in Greater Manchester. It includes the western suburbs of the large town of Bolton and the area to its west, including the towns of Westhoughton, Horwich and Blackrod. Like much of Greater Manchester, the area has an industrial heritage in textile manufacturing and coal mining.

Residents of the constituency have similar levels of wealth, education and professional employment compared to national averages. [3] The constituency has a similar ethnic makeup to the country as a whole; 83% of residents are White and 12% are Asian (mostly Indian) with the Asian population concentrated in Bolton. [4] Local politics are mixed, with Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors representing most of the Bolton suburbs, Labour Party councillors representing Daubhill and parts of Westhoughton and independents representing Horwich and Blackrod. An estimated 55% of voters in the constituency supported leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, slightly higher than the national figure of 52%. [3]

History

The constituency was created for the 1950 general election when the two-member seat of Bolton was split between the single member seats of Bolton East and Bolton West. The Labour Party candidate won in 1950 but, at the next three elections, the Conservative Party did not stand, allowing Arthur Holt of the Liberal Party to hold the seat from 1951 to 1964. Subsequently, it has been a marginal seat [n 3] between Labour and Conservative, although at the 2019 election, it was also the safest Conservative seat in Greater Manchester, with a larger majority than Altrincham and Sale West. This was overturned when the seat was won by Labour in the 2024 election.

Boundaries

Bolton West
Map of boundaries from 2024

Historic

Bolton West in Lancashire, boundaries used 1974-83 BoltonWest1974Constituency.svg
Bolton West in Lancashire, boundaries used 1974–83

1950–1983: The County Borough of Bolton wards of Deane-cum-Lostock, Derby, Halliwell, Heaton, Rumworth, Smithills, and West.

1983–1997: The Borough of Bolton wards of Blackrod, Deane-cum-Heaton, Halliwell, Horwich, Hulton Park, Smithills, and Westhoughton.

1997–2010: The Borough of Bolton wards of Blackrod, Deane-cum-Heaton, Horwich, Hulton Park, Smithills, and Westhoughton.

2010–2024: The Borough of Bolton wards of Heaton and Lostock, Horwich and Blackrod, Horwich North East, Smithills, Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, and Westhoughton South, and the Borough of Wigan ward of Atherton.

There were major boundary changes to Bolton West in 1983 when part of its area went to create Bolton North East, but compensated by taking most of the former Westhoughton constituency. 2010 saw the town of Atherton added from the Wigan borough, previously in the Leigh constituency.

Current

Further to the 2023 review of Westminster constituencies which became effective for the 2024 general election, the constituency is defined as comprising the following wards of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton as they existed on 1 December 2020:

The Wigan Borough ward of Atherton was transferred back out, to the new constituency of Leigh and Atherton, offset by the addition of Hulton ward from Bolton South East (abolished).

Following a local government boundary review which came into effect in May 2023, [6] [7] the constituency now comprises the following wards of the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton from the 2024 general election:

Members of Parliament

ElectionMember [9] Party
1950 John Lewis Labour
1951 Arthur Holt Liberal
1964 Gordon Oakes Labour
1970 Robert Redmond Conservative
October 1974 Ann Taylor Labour
1983 Tom Sackville Conservative
1997 Ruth Kelly Labour
2010 Julie Hilling Labour
2015 Chris Green Conservative
2024 Phil Brickell Labour

Elections

Bolton West election results Bolton West Constituency Election Results, Party Vote Share 1983 - 2024.png
Bolton West election results
Bolton West election turnout Bolton West Constituency Turnout 1983 - 2024.png
Bolton West election turnout

Elections in the 2020s

General election 2024: Bolton West [10]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Phil Brickell 17,363 38.9 +3.7
Conservative Chris Green 12,41827.8–28.7
Reform Dylan Evans8,51719.1+18.3
Green Vicki Attenborough4,1329.3+7.5
Liberal Democrats Donald McIntosh1,9664.4–1.2
English Democrat Patrick McGrath2020.5N/A
Majority 4,94511.1–6.9
Turnout 44,59859.5–7.9
Registered electors 74,933
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +14.5

Elections in the 2010s

2019 notional result [11]
PartyVote%
Conservative 28,19756.5
Labour 17,57835.2
Liberal Democrats 2,8155.6
Green 8931.8
Brexit Party 3850.8
Turnout49,86869.1
Electorate72,125
General election 2019: Bolton West [12]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Chris Green 27,255 55.3 +7.4
Labour Julie Hilling 18,40037.3–8.8
Liberal Democrats Rebecca Forrest2,7045.5+2.6
Green Paris Hayes9391.9N/A
Majority 8,85518.0+16.2
Turnout 49,29867.4–2.7
Conservative hold Swing +8.1
General election 2017: Bolton West
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Chris Green 24,459 47.9 +7.3
Labour Julie Hilling 23,52346.1+7.1
UKIP Martin Tighe1,5873.1–12.2
Liberal Democrats Becky Forrest1,4852.9–1.1
Majority 9361.8+0.2
Turnout 51,05470.1+3.3
Conservative hold Swing +0.1
General election 2015: Bolton West [13] [14]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Chris Green 19,744 40.6 +2.3
Labour Julie Hilling 18,94339.0+0.5
UKIP Bob Horsefield7,42815.3+11.3
Liberal Democrats Andrew Martin1,9474.0–13.2
Independent Andy Smith3210.7N/A
TUSC John Vickers2090.4N/A
Majority 8011.6N/A
Turnout 48,59266.80.0
Conservative gain from Labour Swing +0.9
General election 2010: Bolton West [15]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Julie Hilling 18,327 38.5 –6.8
Conservative Susan Williams 18,23538.3+5.9
Liberal Democrats Jackie Pearcey8,17717.2–1.8
UKIP Harry Lamb1,9014.0+2.6
Green Rachel Mann5451.1N/A
Independent Jimmy Jones2540.5N/A
You PartyDoug Bagnall1370.3N/A
Majority 920.2–4.9
Turnout 47,57666.8+3.3
Labour hold Swing –5.9

Elections in the 2000s

General election 2005: Bolton West [16]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ruth Kelly 17,239 42.5 –4.5
Conservative Philip Allott 15,17537.4+3.8
Liberal Democrats Tim Perkins7,24117.9–0.5
UKIP Marjorie Ford5241.3N/A
Veritas Michael Ford2900.7N/A
Xtraordinary People Kate Griggs740.2N/A
Majority 2,0645.1–8.3
Turnout 40,54363.5+1.1
Labour hold Swing –4.2
General election 2001: Bolton West [17]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ruth Kelly 19,381 47.0 –2.5
Conservative James Stevens13,86333.6–1.5
Liberal Democrats Barbara Ronson [18] 7,57318.4+7.6
Socialist Alliance David Toomer3971.0N/A
Majority 5,51813.4–1.0
Turnout 41,21462.4–14.9
Labour hold Swing –0.5

Elections in the 1990s

General election 1997: Bolton West [19] [20] [21]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ruth Kelly 24,342 49.5 +10.4
Conservative Tom Sackville 17,27035.1–12.2
Liberal Democrats Barbara Ronson [18] 5,30910.8–2.4
Socialist Labour Doris Kelly1,3742.80N/A
Referendum Glenda Frankl-Slater8651.76N/A
Majority 7,07214.4N/A
Turnout 49,16077.3–6.2
Labour gain from Conservative Swing +11.3
General election 1992: Bolton West [22] [23] [24]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tom Sackville 26,452 44.4 +0.1
Labour Clifford Morris [25] 25,37342.6+6.5
Liberal Democrats Barbara Ronson [18] 7,52912.6–7.0
Natural Law Jacqueline Phillips2400.4N/A
Majority 1,0791.8–6.4
Turnout 59,59483.5+3.5
Conservative hold Swing –3.2

Elections in the 1980s

General election 1987: Bolton West [26] [27]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tom Sackville 24,779 44.3 –0.8
Labour Co-op Guy Harkin20,18636.1+4.6
SDP David Eccles10,93619.6–4.9
Majority 4,5938.2–5.4
Turnout 55,90180.0+1.9
Conservative hold Swing –2.7
General election 1983: Bolton West [28] [29]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Tom Sackville 23,731 45.1 +1.8
Labour Dennis Green16,57931.5−11.8
SDP Ron Baker12,32123.4N/A
Majority 7,15213.6N/A
Turnout 52,63178.1−1.2
Conservative gain from Labour

Elections in the 1970s

General election 1979: Bolton West [30]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ann Taylor 17,857 44.81 +1.55
Conservative B. H. Watson17,25743.30+2.35
Liberal J. Fish4,39211.02−2.05
National Front K. Bernal3480.87−1.85
Majority 6001.51−0.80
Turnout 39,85479.36+2.12
Labour hold
General election October 1974: Bolton West [31]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Ann Taylor 16,967 43.26 +4.13
Conservative Robert Redmond 16,06140.95+0.34
Liberal Philip Stefan Linney [32] 5,12713.07−7.19
National Front W. Roberts1,0702.73N/A
Majority 9062.31N/A
Turnout 39,30577.24
Labour gain from Conservative
General election February 1974: Bolton West [33]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Robert Redmond 16,562 40.61 −11.06
Labour Ann Taylor 15,95939.13−9.20
Liberal Philip Stefan Linney [32] 8,26420.26N/A
Majority 6031.48−1.86
Turnout 40,68581.06+7.07
Conservative hold
General election 1970: Bolton West [34]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Conservative Robert Redmond 19,225 51.67 +13.93
Labour Gordon Oakes 17,98148.33−2.24
Majority 1,2443.34N/A
Turnout 37,21673.99−4.3
Conservative gain from Labour

Elections in the 1960s

General election 1966: Bolton West [35]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gordon Oakes 19,390 50.57 +9.40
Conservative Christopher BS Dobson14,47337.74+4.04
Liberal Robert Glenton 4,48311.69−14.45
Majority 4,91712.82+5.35
Turnout 40,12778.29+0.14
Labour hold
General election 1964: Bolton West [36]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour Gordon Oakes 16,519 41.17 −4.20
Conservative Douglas Sisson13,52233.70+3.70
Liberal Arthur Holt 10,08625.14−29.49
Majority 2,9977.47N/A
Turnout 38,34678.15−1.67
Labour gain from Liberal

Elections in the 1950s

General election 1959: Bolton West [37]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Arthur Holt 23,533 54.63 −0.74
Labour Peter Cameron19,54545.37+0.74
Majority 3,9889.26−1.48
Turnout 43,07879.72+0.65
Liberal hold
General election 1955: Bolton West [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Arthur Holt 24,827 55.37 +2.61
Labour James Haworth 20,01444.63−2.61
Majority 4,81310.745.22
Turnout 44,84179.05− 5.74
Liberal hold
General election 1951: Bolton West [39]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Liberal Arthur Holt 26,271 52.76 +32.30
Labour John Lewis 23,52347.24+2.62
Majority 2,7485.52N/A
Turnout 49,79484.79−2.76
Liberal gain from Labour
General election 1950: Bolton West [40]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Labour John Lewis 23,232 44.62
Conservative Walter Wharton Tong [41] 18,18434.92
Liberal Alan Lever Tillotson10,65320.46
Majority 5,0489.70
Turnout 52,06987.55
Labour win (new seat)

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ A county constituency (for the purposes of election expenses and type of returning officer)
  2. ↑ As with all constituencies, the constituency elects one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system of election at least every five years.
  3. ↑ As it has most often given marginal majorities of less than 10%

References

  1. ↑ "Bolton West: Usual Resident Population, 2011". Neighbourhood Statistics. Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
  2. ↑ "The 2023 Review of Parliamentary Constituency Boundaries in England – Volume two: Constituency names, designations and composition – North West". Boundary Commission for England. Retrieved 4 July 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Seat Details - Bolton West". electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 3 December 2025.
  4. ↑ "2021 census results: Ethnic groups in your constituency". commonslibrary.parliament.uk. 4 July 2024. Retrieved 19 November 2025.
  5. ↑ "The Parliamentary Constituencies Order 2023". Schedule 1 Part 5 North West region.
  6. ↑ LGBCE. "Bolton | LGBCE". www.lgbce.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "The Bolton (Electoral Changes) Order 2022".
  8. ↑ "New Seat Details - Bolton West". www.electoralcalculus.co.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
  9. ↑ Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs – Constituencies beginning with "B" (part 4)
  10. ↑ "General election results 2024". Bolton Council . Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  11. ↑ "Notional results for a UK general election on 12 December 2019". Rallings & Thrasher, Professor David Denver (Scotland), Nicholas Whyte (NI) for Sky News, PA, BBC News and ITV News. UK Parliament . Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  12. ↑ Sansome, Jessica; Otter, Saffron (14 November 2019). "All the Greater Manchester General Election 2019 candidates". men. Retrieved 15 November 2019.
  13. ↑ "Election Data 2015". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  14. ↑ "Bolton West". BBC News. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  15. ↑ "Election Data 2010". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  16. ↑ "Election Data 2005". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  17. ↑ "Election Data 2001". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 Barbara Olwyn Ronson. Links in a Chain. Retrieved on 13 May 2010.
  19. ↑ "Election Data 1997". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  20. ↑ General Election Results 1997 and 2001: Bolton West Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine . Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  21. ↑ General Election 1997: Bolton West. BBC. Retrieved 17 May 2010.
  22. ↑ "Election Data 1992". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  23. ↑ General Election 9 April 1992: Bolton West Archived 11 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  24. ↑ "UK General Election results April 1992". Richard Kimber's Political Science Resources. Politics Resources. 9 April 1992. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  25. ↑ Clifford Morris. Links in a Chain. Retrieved on 13 May 2010.
  26. ↑ "Election Data 1987". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  27. ↑ General Election 11 June 1987: Bolton West Archived 11 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine . Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  28. ↑ "Election Data 1983". Electoral Calculus. Archived from the original on 15 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2015.
  29. ↑ General Election 9 June 1983: Bolton West Archived 28 June 2017 at the Wayback Machine . Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  30. ↑ General Election 3 May 1979: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  31. ↑ General Election 10 October 1974: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  32. 1 2 Philip Stefan Linney. Links in a Chain. Retrieved on 13 May 2010.
  33. ↑ General Election 28 February 1974: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  34. ↑ General Election 18 June 1970: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  35. ↑ General Election 31 March 1966: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  36. ↑ General Election 15 October 1964: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  37. ↑ General Election 8 October 1959: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  38. ↑ General Election 26 May 1955: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  39. ↑ General Election 25 October 1951: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  40. ↑ General Election 23 February 1950: Bolton West. Political Science Resources. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
  41. ↑ Walter Wharton Tong. Links in a Chain. Retrieved on 13 May 2010.

53°34′37″N2°27′04″W / 53.577°N 2.451°W / 53.577; -2.451

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