Parliamentary constituencies in Greater Manchester

Parliamentary constituencies in Greater Manchester are a set of constituencies that make up the Greater Manchester area in North West England, represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament by Members of Parliament (MPs) elected by the first-past-the-post system. The constituencies are currently represented by MPs from the Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrats. The region has a diverse range of constituencies, including Manchester Central, Manchester Gorton, and Bolton North East, which are represented by notable MPs such as Lucy Powell, Afzal Khan, and Mark Logan. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities play important roles in the region's governance, working closely with MPs from constituencies like Salford and Eccles, Wigan, and Oldham East and Saddleworth.

Introduction

The Greater Manchester area has a long history of parliamentary representation, with constituencies such as Ashton-under-Lyne and Bolton dating back to the Reform Act 1832. The region is home to a number of notable MPs, including Tony Lloyd, Graham Stringer, and James Frith, who have represented constituencies like Manchester Blackley, Blackley and Broughton, and Bury North. The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Salford University are all located within the region and have been represented by MPs such as John Leech and Hazel Blears. The Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, and Bolton Council also play important roles in the region's governance, working closely with MPs from constituencies like Withington, Didsbury, and Cheadle.

History of Constituency Boundaries

The constituency boundaries in Greater Manchester have undergone significant changes over the years, with the Boundary Commission for England responsible for reviewing and revising the boundaries. The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 and the Boundary Commissions Act 1992 have both played important roles in shaping the current constituency boundaries. Notable changes have included the creation of new constituencies such as Denton and Reddish and Heywood and Middleton, and the abolition of constituencies like Manchester Moss Side and Littleborough and Saddleworth. MPs such as Andrew Gwynne and Ivan Lewis have represented constituencies that have undergone significant boundary changes, including Denton and Reddish and Bury South. The Local Government Commission for England and the Office for National Statistics also provide important data and guidance on constituency boundaries, which are used by MPs from constituencies like Altrincham and Sale West, Hazel Grove, and Stretford and Urmston.

List of Constituencies

The current list of parliamentary constituencies in Greater Manchester includes Altrincham and Sale West, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton North East, Bolton South East, Bolton West, Bury North, Bury South, Cheadle, Denton and Reddish, Heywood and Middleton, Leigh, Makerfield, Manchester Central, Manchester Gorton, Manchester Withington, Oldham East and Saddleworth, Oldham West and Royton, Rochdale, Salford and Eccles, Stalybridge and Hyde, Stockport, Stretford and Urmston, Wigan, and Worsley and Eccles South. These constituencies are represented by MPs from the Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrats, including notable MPs such as Jonathan Reynolds, Yasmin Qureshi, and William Wragg. The Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses also work closely with MPs from the region, including those representing constituencies like Bolton North East and Bury North.

Electoral Performance

The electoral performance of the parliamentary constituencies in Greater Manchester has been marked by significant variation over the years. The Labour Party has traditionally been strong in the region, with MPs such as Graham Stringer and Tony Lloyd holding seats like Blackley and Broughton and Manchester Central. However, the Conservative Party has also had success in the region, with MPs like Mark Logan and James Daly representing constituencies like Bolton North East and Bury North. The Liberal Democrats have also had a presence in the region, with MPs like John Leech and Tim Farron representing constituencies like Manchester Withington and Westmorland and Lonsdale. The Brexit Party and the Green Party of England and Wales have also contested seats in the region, including constituencies like Bolton West and Manchester Gorton.

Boundary Changes

The parliamentary constituency boundaries in Greater Manchester are subject to periodic review and revision by the Boundary Commission for England. The most recent review was completed in 2018 and resulted in significant changes to the constituency boundaries, including the creation of new constituencies like Worsley and Eccles South and the abolition of constituencies like Eccles. The Boundary Commissions Act 1992 and the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 provide the framework for the review and revision of constituency boundaries. MPs such as Andrew Gwynne and Ivan Lewis have been affected by boundary changes, with their constituencies undergoing significant revisions. The Local Government Association and the Electoral Commission also provide guidance and support on boundary changes, which are used by MPs from constituencies like Altrincham and Sale West and Stretford and Urmston.

Current Representation

The current representation of the parliamentary constituencies in Greater Manchester is marked by a diverse range of MPs from the Labour Party, Conservative Party, and Liberal Democrats. Notable MPs from the region include Lucy Powell, Afzal Khan, and Mark Logan, who represent constituencies like Manchester Central, Manchester Gorton, and Bolton North East. The Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities work closely with MPs from the region to promote the interests of Greater Manchester and its constituents. The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Salford University also have close links with MPs from the region, including those representing constituencies like Withington, Didsbury, and Cheadle. The Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, and Bolton Council also play important roles in the region's governance, working closely with MPs from constituencies like Oldham East and Saddleworth, Rochdale, and Heywood and Middleton.