Plans are revealed to redraw Bolton's political map

New Government legislation requires that the Boundary Commission of England reviews the boundary lines of all the Parliamentary constituencies across the country.

The number of constituencies in England would rise from 533 to 543 under the plans.

The rules also require that every constituency across the UK – apart from five exceptions – must have an electorate between 69,724 and 77,062 people.

The proposed Bolton West constituency, currently held by Conservative MP Chris Green, will remain largely unchanged.

The commission has included the Hulton ward within the constituency to bring it within the permitted electorate range, while Atherton would no longer be included.

Mr Green said: “I am pleased and relieved that the Bolton West constituency is largely unchanged.

“I am delighted that Hulton is being returned to the constituency because historically this is where it belongs.

“I am rather disappointed that these proposals suggest that Atherton should leave my constituency, but there is every chance that a review may reverse this decision.”

Bolton North East constituency,which is currently held by Conservative MP Mark Logan, only differs from the existing set-up by one ward.

Little Lever and Darcy Lever would transfer from Bolton South East to Bolton North East under the proposals.

Bolton South East, held by Yasmin Qureshi, would be renamed Bolton South and Walkden, with the inclusion of the Walkden North and Walkden South wards in neighbouring Salford.

Ms Qureshi said: “The review of parliamentary constituencies is a crucial democratic step and Labour will engage fully and constructively in the consultation.”

A Boundary Commission of England spokesman said: “We are consulting on our initial proposals for an eight-week period, from June 8 to August 2.

"We encourage everyone to use this opportunity to help us shape the new constituencies – the more responses we receive, the more informed our decisions will be.”