North West · England · 74,933Boundary · 2023

Bolton West

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Dispatch
Apr 2026

Represented by Lab since 2024. Covers Bolton (Bolton), Westhoughton and Horwich. Population 100,280. Recorded crime is 100% below the national average.

One of Bolton West's most visible parliamentary presences since entering the Commons in 2024, Phil Brickell has made economic crime his signature issue -- leveraging a decade of prior experience in financial crime to lobby ministers directly, meet with law enforcement and tech companies, and propose a dedicated "crime fighting fund" targeting fraud, money laundering and corruption. That specialism has translated into consistent local coverage in the Bolton News and a Guardian story in which he accused university regulators of being "asleep at the wheel" over governance failures at the University of Greater Manchester, writing directly to the Education Secretary for accountability. His single rebel vote -- backing a motion to hold a session in private, against his party's position -- is a minor outlier in an otherwise loyalist record.

Brickell votes with Labour 99.7% of the time, making him one of the more dependable government supporters in the 2024 intake, though his 80% participation rate sits somewhat below the Commons average. His stance profile shows strong alignment with progressive taxation (97%) and workers' rights (89%), but notably low scores on pro-business (9%) and parliamentary scrutiny (5%) measures. He consistently voted with the government to overturn Lords amendments across the Pension Schemes Bill and Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill -- including one controversial vote to reinstate government powers to direct pension fund investments, which critics framed as overriding trustees' duties. He deviates from his party average most sharply on pension protection (+65pp) and tenant rights (+19pp).

388
Commons votes
This parliament
£27k
Median income
HMRC · 2024
74.9k
Electorate
2024 GE

Lab regained this seat from Con — last held it in 2010.

Current Member of Parliament

Phil Brickell

Phil Brickell

Labour Party

Phil Brickell is the Labour MP for Bolton West, and has been an MP continually since 4 July 2024.

Notable Votes

A motion was put forward to exclude the public and press from the parliamentary chamber by holding the session in private. This was overwhelmingly rejected, keeping proceedings open and transparent.

MP voted YesAgainst party majorityLikely whipped

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Voting at a Glance

Represented by Lab since 2024. Covers Bolton (Bolton), Westhoughton and Horwich. Population 100,280. Recorded crime is 100% below the national average.

2024 General Election

§ 06This week in Westminster.Live · today’s sittingOrder Paper · refreshed daily

Brickell’s scheduled Commons activity this week — whipped divisions, oral questions, debates — drawn from the House of Commons Order Paper.

§ 07The record, at a glance.394 divisions voted

Two readings of the same data. Issue volume shows where Brickell has cast the most ballots — a proxy for engagement, not direction. Notable votes are the moments where the whip was free or where they broke ranks.

Issue volume
Top issues by total divisions voted · cumulative this Parliament
Taxation
83
Economy
60
Crime & Policing
47
Employment
34
Education
32
Constitution and Democracy
24
Notable votes
Free votes and rebellions — moments the MP’s own judgment matters more than the whip
Motion to sit in private04 Jul 2025
Aye
§ 08The local picture.9 wards

Constituencies are not uniform. Below — the local council make-up, key facts worth knowing, and the neighbouring seats on either side.

WardCouncillorVotesParty
Great LeverKaren Hon1,521Labour P
Heaton Lostock Chew MoorAndy Morgan1,975Conserva
Horwich NorthCharlotte Chloe Minnie Sears1,835Horwich
Horwich NorthVictoria Elise Rigby2,028Horwich
Horwich South BlackrodSamantha Louise Angela Williamson1,507Horwich
HultonFazeelah Khan1,213Labour P
RumworthAyyub Chota Patel1,990Independ
SmithillsGarry Neil Veevers1,690Liberal
Westhoughton North Hunger HillDeirdre Janice McGeown1,137Liberal
Westhoughton SouthJohn Stewart McHugh1,146Labour P
Population (2021 Census)
100,280
Electorate 74,933 · 2024 register
Median income
£27,300
HMRC SPI 2024
Households renting privately
15.4%
England average 20.0%
Schools
38
30 primary · 4 secondary
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More constituency data is being added, including local issue analysis and historical trends. Learn about our methodology. View data sources & attribution.