Middleton name no longer to be wiped from Parliamentary map under constituency boundary changes as Boundary Commission for England publishes final recommendations

Middleton will have its name returned to the Parliamentary map as the Boundary Commission for England has published its final recommendations for new constituency boundaries.

This follows submission of its final recommendations report to the Speaker of the House of Commons on 27 June, and that report now being laid before Parliament.

The Commission has now fulfilled its statutory responsibilities, and the submission of the report and its publication ends the Commission’s involvement in the 2023 Boundary Review.

Under the final recommendations, the Heywood and Middleton constituency will be split.

Originally the Boundary Commission proposed replacing it with two new seats, Heywood County, and Manchester Blackley, wiping Middleton’s name from the Parliamentary map.

However, it has revealed with its final recommendations that the two seats would be named ‘Heywood and Middleton North’ and ‘Blackley and Middleton South’.  

The changes will mean the renamed Heywood constituency will be made up of the three Heywood wards, the West and North Middleton wards, Castleton, Norden, Bamford and Spotland and Falinge wards.

South Middleton and East Middleton will be hived off to the new ‘Blackley and Middleton South’ constituency.

The Heywood and Middleton North electorate would comprise of 73,306 people, whilst Blackley and Middleton South would comprise 71,375.

The current Heywood and Middleton constituency comprises 80,869 eligible voters (as at March 2020).

Rochdale and its 71,697 voters would remain unchanged.

Secretary to the Commission, Tim Bowden, said: “The recommendations we have published today mark the end of a thorough and consultative process to build the new map of Parliamentary constituencies.

“We have taken into account over 60,000 public comments, travelled the country, and heard many passionate views about how best to reflect local community ties in our recommendations.

“We are confident that our final recommendations are the best reflection of the statutory rules Parliament has set us. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has participated in the 2023 Boundary Review.’

The government now has four months to bring forward an Order to give effect to the final recommendations.

Current Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson has cited the boundary changes as his reason for standing down at the next general election.

 

Read more: Heywood and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson to stand down at next general electionPublished: 28 June 2023