James Grundy, MP for Leigh, today broadly welcomed the revised recommendations produced by the Boundary Commission for England, reversing their initial proposals to split the town of Leigh between seats, although some concerns remain regarding Astley, which remains split in the new plan.
Speaking today, Mr Grundy said:
"I strongly welcome the revised proposals to keep the town of Leigh broadly united in a single seat. The proposals to exchange Westleigh for part of Ashton-in-Makerfield were strongly opposed by both communities.
"I am very glad that my Keep Leigh in Leigh campaign has proven successful, with broad public support from the people of Leigh.
"I also welcome the rejection of Labour proposals to split Atherton in two and replace Lowton and Golborne with Hindley and Hindley Green, which was nothing but a partisan and outrageous gerrymandering attempt.
"The proposed new Leigh and Atherton constituency is a great improvement on the proposed Leigh South and Atherton seat, but Astley and Gin Pit village are still confusingly split between Leigh and Salford, and there is some tidying up to do on the western boundary.
"I hope the Boundary Commission will address these remaining concerns in the final phase of the review, and I'd like to thank the huge number of ordinary people from Leigh and the surrounding communities that have backed my campaign so far."